Executive Director, Emergency Management

Job Description

The Virginia Tech Public Safety Division, comprised of the university Police Department, Emergency Management and Environmental Health and Safety has a critical role in supporting the well-being of the Virginia Tech community. The Emergency Management program is essential in planning for and responding to emergency events, and in creating a culture of preparedness where employees and students are safe and prepared in their work and living environments. The Office of Emergency Management has an integral role in the coordination and planning of university response, recovery and resumption of operations, as well as aligning the university with industry standards and best practices through continual process improvement.

The Executive Director of Emergency Management is responsible for leading the strategy of the office through building, implementing and sustaining programs, policies and procedures for individual preparedness, departmental readiness and university resiliency at Virginia Tech. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Public Safety, the Executive Director oversees a comprehensive emergency management program designed to educate, inform, and motivate campus constituents to “Be Hokie Ready”. The Executive Director also provides guidance and facilitates integration of emergency management programs into existing campus organizations and activities; designs programs that maximize efficiency and effectiveness and emphasizes outstanding customer service. The incumbent also performs other duties as requested; takes initiative to support a healthy work environment; strives to fulfill the terms in the Standards of Business Conduct; exemplifies Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community; and supports the university’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a related field, or training and work experience that equates to an advanced degree.
• Significant years of experience in emergency management, public administration or related project management.
• Substantial experience in all-hazards emergency planning and management practices, business continuity, risk assessment, response planning, and development of comprehensive response and recovery protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, conduct, and coordinate emergency exercises, and educational programs for a diverse audience of faculty, staff, and students.
• Completion of National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) courses, IS-700, IS-800, ICS-100, ICS-200 and ICS-300.
• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant federal and state regulations, standards, and guidelines.
• Knowledge of the principles of management, administration, budgeting, and fiscal planning.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with diverse constituencies throughout the enterprise.
• Ability to establish effective partnerships, work effectively with groups and teams of academic and operational units where you will not have direct management authority.
• Must be on call 24/7 and able to respond to emergencies in potentially hazardous environments.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Ability to effectively coach and motivate teams.
• Demonstrated ability in operational problem solving and decision making
• High level of familiarity with organizational culture and administrative practices of higher education or similar environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) Certification, or Certification as an Associate in Risk Management, or related emergency management certification.
• Experience with grants and contract applications and administration.
• Completion of National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) course ICS-400.
• Substantial experience in the field of emergency preparedness/management in higher education.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.