Salary: $101,868.71 - $130,899.66 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Service - Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 25-00621
Department: Emergency Management
Division: EME-OPS
Opening Date: 09/15/2025
Closing Date: 9/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionPosition SummaryWhy It's a Great Opportunity:Are you ready to make a real difference in your community - not just during disasters, but every single day?
Pierce County faces a broad range of natural and human-caused hazards, from flooding, severe weather, and earthquakes to volcanic activity, wildfires, civil disturbances, hazardous materials incidents, and infrastructure failures. As our next
Emergency Management Program Manager, you'll have a unique opportunity to lead and serve your community across all phases of emergency management:
preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.
In this vital role, you'll be a key member of the Department of Emergency Management's (DEM) extended leadership team. You'll lead three critical areas:
Operations, Planning, and Preparedness.We're looking for someone who thrives in a
fast-paced, high-impact environment and who's ready to collaborate with partners across multiple disciplines. This position requires someone who understands not only emergency management but also how to leverage technology responsibly and effectively in support of our mission.
At DEM, we believe in
empowering our team members. You'll have the freedom and support to: Lead with creativity and initiative; Identify areas for improvement; Strengthen documentation and processes; and Develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
Here, your contributions won't go unnoticed. Whether during a major incident or routine planning, you'll see how your work directly impacts lives across the county - under both blue skies and gray.
If you're passionate about public service and ready to take on a meaningful leadership role in emergency management,
Pierce County DEM is the place for you.Why It's a Great Department: About Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM)At the heart of the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) is a commitment to
communication, coordination, and collaboration. We work closely with our stakeholders and communities to prepare for, respond to, mitigate against, and recover from disasters - always with a focus on
saving lives and protecting property.
We're proud to be one of the first counties in the nation to be accredited through the
Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), and we've maintained that high standard through two successful reaccreditations. This achievement highlights our role as a leader in
emergency management not just in Pierce County, but throughout the
Puget Sound, Washington State, and across the United States.
This success is driven by a team of passionate, dedicated individuals who build strong partnerships, engage in proactive planning, and provide critical support throughout the full cycle of emergency management:
planning, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery. By joining us, you'll become part of a highly respected team that sets the bar for excellence in emergency services.
Work-Life Balance and FlexibilityAt DEM, we understand the importance of work-life balance. To support our team's well-being, most employees have the flexibility to work from home
one day a week. The specific tasks and priorities for remote work will be coordinated with your supervisor to ensure alignment with the department's needs and your workload.
We encourage you to learn more about our department by clicking
How to be Successful in the Role: We are seeking a
dynamic leader with broad experience in
collaborating with partners and stakeholders to ensure a
whole-community approach to emergency management. This includes working across all phases of
preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery to drive impactful results.
This role supports
Washington State Homeland Security Region 5 and leads teams in key areas, including:
Alert and Warning systems; Emergency Operations Center (EOC) readiness; Multi-jurisdictional planning; Training and exercises; and Emergency medical service functions.
The ideal candidate is someone who
embraces change, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and can guide the DEM and our partner teams through
change management effectively. A strong understanding of how technology can enhance and transform emergency management and public safety is critical for success in this role.
As a
mid-level leadership and management position, this role requires someone who can
manage and prioritize multiple projects and deliverables with precision and foresight. The ability to
pivot quickly and re-prioritize in response to emerging needs is essential, as we are always adapting to the evolving demands of emergency management.
Above all, we're looking for a leader who understands the
unique and diverse needs of the communities we serve and is passionate about working to make them safer, stronger, and more resilient.
Your Future in this Role: As you get started, you'll have regular opportunities to connect with DEM Supervisors, teammates, and the admin. team to talk through expectations, set goals, and get comfortable with our policies, procedures, and priorities. From day one, you'll have access to professional development resources-including our Leadership Certification program, online learning, and a variety of training opportunities-so you can continue growing throughout your career. This role also opens the door to multiple advancement opportunities within Pierce County, giving you the chance to shape a meaningful and lasting career here.
Core Daily Responsibilities:- Administers the daily activities of the County's emergency management program, including the 24-Hour Duty Manager and the operational readiness of the Emergency Operations Center.
- Develops public information presentations and represents the department by making presentations before County directors and personnel, elected and appointed officials from cities and towns in Pierce County, businesses, schools, community groups, and other organizations to promote emergency management preparedness activities and public preparedness.
- Establishes and maintains liaison with federal, state, and local governmental officials and agencies, businesses and industries, fire departments and other first response organizations, school districts, and volunteer organizations for disaster planning, public education, response, and recovery issues.
- Directs and manages the general administration of the division budget.
- Acts as a Duty Manager to respond to Department of Emergency Management responsibilities during regular and non-business hours.
A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found
Qualifications - Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in business or public administration, communications, or a closely related field AND
- Four or more years of experience in an administrative, supervisory, and/or teaching position which INCLUDES
- at least two or more years of paid or volunteer experience in a recognized emergency organization.
- Any combination of experience/education that would clearly indicate the ability to perform the duties of the position may substitute equally for the recruiting requirements.
- A valid driver's license is required
- A cover letter and resume are required for this position. Applications without a cover letter and resume will not be considered.
- Please include three (3) professional references with your application.
As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.
Supplemental InformationTo be considered for this opportunity, please:- Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
- If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
- If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
- Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need.
This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes, which may include assessments, phone screens, and interviews.
At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion mean commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have a local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:Vacation (Annual Leave)After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25
Personal Holidays:Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security:All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Miscellaneous Benefits:Please visit website for more information.
Telework/Remote Options:Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
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Please a cover letter and resume detailing your interest in this position and explain how your education/experience meets the minimum requirements of the position. Applications without a Cover Letter and a Resume will not be considered. Did you attach a cover letter and resume?
Required Question
