Emergency Preparedness Manager

Emergency Preparedness Manager

Salary

$79,714.00 Annually

Location

Savannah, GA

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

202300771

Department

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Opening Date

08/06/2026

Closing Date

8/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Discover the best of suburban and urban living in Chatham County, Coastal Georgia. This welcoming community offers an excellent balance for living, working, and enjoying life. As the fifth-oldest county in Georgia and the largest outside of Atlanta, Chatham County has a lot to offer. Youll love our beautiful riverfront, which includes the city of Savannah and a three-mile beach on Tybee Island. Chatham County Government is supported by over 2,100 diverse team members across 40 departments, all dedicated to serving the county. We draw talent nationwide by providing outstanding benefits, competitive salaries, and growth opportunities. Join Team Chatham today!

Description

The Emergency Preparedness Manager - Community Outreach and Engagement is responsible for planning, developing, managing, and evaluating CEMAs community outreach, public preparedness, volunteer engagement, and community partnership programs. The position is responsible for developing and sustaining relationships with residents, businesses, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, volunteer groups, and government partners to strengthen countywide preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.

This position manages CEMAs community outreach program while supporting public information initiatives, emergency planning, and operational readiness. Public information responsibilities include managing CEMAs digital presence, assisting with media relations, and developing public education campaigns in coordination with the Director.

The Emergency Preparedness Manager is a fully capable Emergency Management professional who participates in emergency planning, training, exercises, and disaster operations. The incumbent serves as a member of CEMAs Duty Officer Program and is expected to support Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, field operations, and other emergency management assignments before, during, and after disasters.

The Manager exercises considerable independent judgement in administering assigned programs and recommending improvements that strengthen community preparedness and organizational resilience.

Examples of Duties

Community Outreach and Public Engagement (Primary Focus)

• Serve as CEMAs liaison to residents, neighborhood associations, businesses, schools, civic organizations, and community groups.
• Develop, manage, and evaluate public preparedness and community outreach programs.
• Plan and staff preparedness expos, workshops, public meetings, and educational events.
• Develop and deliver presentations promoting disaster preparedness, evacuation planning, severe weather safety, and other emergency management initiatives.
• Promote preparedness among vulnerable, underserved, and hard-to-reach populations.
• Develop annual outreach objectives and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Represent CEMA and the Director at community meetings, conferences, and public events.
• Gather community feedback and identify opportunities to improve preparedness programs.
• Develop performance measures, monitor program effectiveness, and prepare reports recommending improvements to assigned program areas.

Public Information and Digital Communications (Primary Focus)

• Manage CEMAs social media platforms and maintain a consistent public presence.
• Oversee website content updates in partnership with Chatham County Information Communications Systems (ICS) Department and the Chatham County Public Information Office.
• Develop newsletters, brochures, preparedness guides, presentations, and other educational materials.
• Develop public information materials and support the Director in media relations, public messaging and crisis communications.
• Develop graphics, photography, video, and other multimedia supporting outreach and preparedness initiatives.
• Monitor social media during emergency incidents and coordinate messaging with the Director to promote timely, accurate, and consistent public information.

Nonprofit, Faith-Based, and Community Partner Coordination

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with nonprofit organizations, volunteer organizations, faith-based organizations, private-sector partners, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and government agencies.
• Lead CEMAs participation in community preparedness initiatives and collaborative partnerships.
• Support and coordinate activities associated with the Disaster Faith Network.
• Promote communication and coordination among community partners before, during, and after disasters.
• Represent CEMA and the Director at regional meetings, workgroups, and stakeholder forums.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen community partnerships and improve disaster resilience.

Volunteer Program Management

• Develop, manage and continuously improve CEMA's volunteer management program, including recruitment, training, credentialing, deployment and retention.
• Maintain volunteer records, certifications, and deployment readiness.
• Lead volunteer participation during outreach events, exercises, and emergency operations.
• Establish volunteer recognition and retention initiatives.
• Direct the management of spontaneous and unaffiliated volunteers during disasters.
• Develop procedures to ensure volunteers are trained, equipped, and prepared to support emergency operations safely and effectively.
• Integrate volunteer resources into emergency planning and preparedness initiatives.

Emergency Planning and Program Support

• Lead assigned planning efforts related to program initiatives.
• Integrate volunteer resources and community partners into emergency plans.
• Develop and support training, exercises, after-action reviews, and improvement plans.
• Research emerging emergency management trends and recommend program improvements.
• Manage assigned preparedness initiatives, strategic projects, and grant-funded programs.

Emergency Operations

• Serve as a member of CEMAs Duty Officer Program and respond to incidents on a rotating on-call basis.
• Serve in assigned Emergency Operations Center positions during activations.
• Participate in disaster response, recovery, and damage assessment activities.
• Support field operations and incident coordination activities as necessary.
• Lead volunteer and community partner support during emergencies.
• Maintain operational readiness of assigned equipment, outreach materials, and emergency response resources.
• Operate the Mobile Emergency Operations Center and other assigned emergency response vehicles after obtaining the required Georgia Class F drivers license.
• Perform other emergency management duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Communications, Public Relations or a closely related field (equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered).
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, community outreach, volunteer coordination, public information, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrate ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse organizations and stakeholders.
• Experience developing presentations and educational materials.
• Experience managing organizational social media platforms.
• Valid Georgia drivers license.
• Ability to obtain a Georgia Class F drivers license within six (6) months of employment.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during emergency operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Georgia Certified Emergency Manager (GA-CEM) or Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) from the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM).
• Experience in local government or emergency management.
• Experience coordinating volunteers or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience with public information, media relations, or crisis communications.
• Experience using graphic design, photography, video editing software, website content management, and social media management applications.
• Bilingual communication skills.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with frequent travel throughout Chatham County.
• Regular attendance at community meetings, outreach events, and public presentations.
• Required participation in training exercises, planned events, and emergency activations.
• Required participation in CEMAs Duty Officer Program.
• Required to report for extended or irregular hours during emergencies and disasters.
• Work may be performed in office, field, or incident environments under adverse weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must maintain the physical ability to safely operate emergency response vehicles and equipment, including the Mobile Emergency Operations Center.
• Must be capable of working in physically and emotionally demanding emergency environments.

Application Requirements

This position requires exceptional communication, professionalism, and attention to detail. As part of the selection process, the Hiring Manager requests that applicants submit the following:

• Completed employment application
• Current résumé
• A one-page cover letter

During emergencies and disasters affecting Chatham County, you may be required to report to work as part of a disaster operations team.

In accordance with the Department of Transportation, Commercial Drivers License (CDL) holders and those employed in safety-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing.

Candidates with direct and relevant experience may receive an offer of up to 10% above the minimum salary that is posted, reflecting their exceptional qualifications.

Chatham County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, or military/veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

CHATHAM COUNTY BENEFITS PLANS

Eligibility for benefits begins on your date of hire.

Full-time employees working a regular schedule of 30 or more hours per week are eligible for County benefits. Part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees are not eligible to participate in the County benefit plan. However, regular part-time employees accrue prorated vacation and sick leave based on their schedule.

HEALTH - Employees have a choice between a high or low option point-of-service health plan for themselves, their spouse, and eligible dependent children.

VISION - The vision plan offers a comprehensive eye exam and options for frames, lenses, and contact lenses.

DENTAL - Employees may choose either the high or low dental plan option with two cleanings per year and periodic x-rays at no cost.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH CENTER - Employees and their spouses on the County's health plan have access to the Employee Health Center for physical and behavioral health services, health coaching, and lab services at no cost.

RETIREMENT - Chatham County provides a Defined Benefit Pension Plan with a five-year vesting period.

LIFE & DISABILITY - Long Term Disability and basic Life Insurance coverage are provided at no cost to employees. Employees may also purchase additional life coverage for themselves and their dependent family members.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - Chatham County offers Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts through payroll deduction. The Medical FSA has a rollover feature equal to the annual Federal maximum.

WELLNESS PROGRAM - Chatham County provides a variety of wellness opportunities for employees, including a Diabetes/Pre-Diabetes Management Program, Mobile Mammograms, Health Screenings, Flu Shots, Dietician Services, weight loss programs, reimbursements for gym memberships and participation in local races, education sessions, and more.

VOLUNTARY BENEFITS - Employees may choose voluntary benefits such as Accident, Cancer, Short-Term Disability, and Whole Life Insurance products.

HOLIDAYS AND TIME OFF - Chatham County observes 12 paid holidays per year. Employees accrue 12 vacation days per year, with the accrual rate increasing with years of service, and 15 sick days per year.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS - Annual merit increases, Cost of Living Adjustments, Longevity pay, Access to on-demand training, Career advancement opportunities, and Service awards.

01

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers to the following supplemental questions. Information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I agree.
• No, I do not agree.

02

Do you have a Bachelor's Degree or higher in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Communications, Public Relations, or a closely related field?

• YES
• NO

03

Do you have at least five years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, community outreach, volunteer coordination, public information, communications, public relations, or a related field documented on your application?

• YES
• NO

04

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• YES
• NO

05

Do you understand that you must possess or be able to obtain a Georgia Class F drivers license within six (6) months of employment?

• YES
• NO

06

Do you understand that you must be able to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during emergency operations?

• YES
• NO

07

Why are you interested in serving as CEMAs Emergency Preparedness Manager - Community Outreach and Engagement?

08

What experience has best prepared you for this role?

09

What do you believe is the most important responsibility of emergency preparedness in todays environment?

Required Question

Employer Chatham County Government

Address 123 Abercorn St

Savannah, Georgia, 31401

Phone 912-652-7964

Website https://chathamcountyga.gov