Director of Emergency Management & Mission Continuity

Position OPEN until filled. We're still accepting applications after Initial Review Date (IRD).

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

Position OPEN until filled. We're still accepting applications after Initial Review Date (IRD).

The IRD for this job is: 09-02-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Risk and Safety Services (RSS) serves the campus by leading and coordinating multidisciplinary services to sustain a safe and healthy campus through managing risk, preventing injury and loss, and coordinating access, emergency response, and recovery. Performing these critical functions requires a broad spectrum of business and financial support to all RSS units that successfully manage a combined budget of over $22 million with over 150 employees. Risk and Safety Services units include the following operations:

* AVC Risk & Safety Services Administrative Office

* Environmental Health and Safety & Campus Fire Services

* Risk Services and Occupational Health

* Transportation and Parking Services

* Office of Emergency Management (OEM)

More information can be found at: https://oem.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Risk & Safety Services, the Director of Emergency Management & Mission Continuity is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring programs and policies that support emergency preparedness, business continuity and emergency response for the University.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $123,000 - $165,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: EHS SPEC 5 (000491), Grade 26

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

30% - Planning & Compliance

• Develops, assesses, revises, and maintains the campus EOP and other campus level plans, policies, and procedures integrating FEMA and Cal OES standards. Provides guidance, training, and assistance to departments in developing their departmental emergency plans to interface with the campus EOP. ensures compliance of plans with regulatory requirements
• Monitors, provides for, and assures compliance with National Incident Management Systems (NIMS), Standardized Emergency Managements Systems (SEMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) provisions, adapted for use at the campus including monitoring ongoing related legislation.
• Utilizing an all hazards approach, conducts ongoing evaluation of campus preparedness. In the context of maintaining the ability to fulfill the University mission, completes hazard vulnerability assessments that evaluate probability, level of risk, health and safety of responders, impacts to persons in proximity of events, continuity of routine operations, impacts to infrastructure and facilities, environmental impacts, economic impacts, regulatory impacts, and the reputation of the institution.
• Develops and maintains documents and checklists for emergency or disaster conditions. Researches, analyzes, and develops emergency preparedness procedures for campus.
• Provides technical consultation, direction, advice, and service throughout the University on emergency management and preparedness for all sectors of the campus community. Coordinates and assists departments in emergency response planning and in identifying human and material resource needs, as well as coordinating plans for resource mobilization during an emergency.
• Develops, implements, and trains usage of computer-based systems for tracking emergency conditions to prioritize response, track progress, document occurrence, and facilitate recovery and reimbursement. Ensures processes are compliant with FEMA and CalOES requirements. Integrates systems into standard business practices.
• Provides leadership and guidance for the development of a comprehensive campus business continuity program and provides supervision for the Business Continuity Planner (1.0 FTE).

15% - Operations & Response

• Visit field sites and crisis areas with little or no notice, in response to developing and ongoing crises for the purpose of assessing and mitigating emergency situations and assisting with recovery.
• Serves as the primary on-call Emergency Management Duty Officer as defined in the campus Emergency Operations Plan. Designates alternate Duty Officer when unavailable per the provisions of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
• Maintains campus Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in a state of readiness.
• Provides leadership and ongoing management support for operations and crisis communication that includes deployment of campus emergency notification systems including CruzAlert and for campus emergency management software (WebEOC).
• Coordinates preparation of detailed reports and applications to state and federal agencies for reimbursement and financial assistance needed to recover from declared disasters.
• Provides technical expertise and responds to emergencies on campus, including after-hours and on-call time; manage the emergency response process as appropriate according to ICS structure and methodology; contribute to campus and departmental emergency management, planning, and response. Within the EOC ICS structure, will direct personnel from all levels in the EOC organization.

20% - Training & Exercises

• Develops implements and facilitates integration of ICS into all campus emergency planning activities. Trains and exercises top level management and policy makers (Chancellor, Provost, Deans, and Vice Chancellors), Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staff, and departments in the use of ICS and campus EOP. Updates and modifies system to be utilized within university structure without compromising system integrity. Assures ability to utilize system in a Unified Command mode with external agencies.
• Evaluates communication needs and develops required training including primary and alternate communication systems. Exercises and challenges communication infrastructure. Determines needs and devises strategies for improvement. Coordinates efforts with all related parties involved in communications.
• Designs, plans, and conducts periodic emergency management exercises including tabletop, functional, and full-scale drills and exercises and coordinates campus participation in regional and state-level exercises as appropriate. Identifies target groups for participation and develops periodic and recurring exercises in subjects including the campus plan, ICS, SEMS, NIMS, communications, urban search and rescue, and damage assessment. Provides instruction and guidance to exercise and event participants, and evaluates effectiveness and efficiency of exercises and event responses.
• Designs, implements, and conducts training and testing to reinforce principles of the campus system to all affected constituents. Prepares instructional materials for training of emergency preparedness and response personnel, as well as to provide campus faculty and staff with educational information.

20% - Administration & Partnerships

• Serves as Campus professional expert on all matters specific to emergency management including preparedness, response and recovery.
• Serves as primary campus representative to cultivate and maintain partnership relationships with city, county, and statewide public and private agencies or organizations responsible for emergency planning and response. Coordinates and integrates campus plans into broader regional emergency framework including the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Coordinates planning and communication with the Office of the President and participates in system-wide policy and guideline development teams.
• Evaluates and identifies response resources including on-campus, community, inter/intra-campus, and allied professional groups. Develops agreements with such entities to facilitate acquisition of relief materials.
• Coordinates, supports, and integrates emergency management with all programs and program leaders (including fire, law enforcement, hazardous waste management, radioactive materials, hazardous chemical materials, biological hazardous materials, risk management, operations and maintenance, animal care, and others); provides guidance to appropriate staff, committees, and departments; maintains liaison with all campus safety committees.
• Organizes and coordinates regularly scheduled meetings of the Campus Emergency Planning Committee, Critical Incident Response Team and other support groups.
• Provides resource information and advisory to the Chancellors' Emergency Management Policy Group (EMPG)

10% - Demonstration Operations Team (DOT) Coordination and Support

• Provides direct support to the DOT Manager (Associate Vice Chancellor, Risk and Safety Services).
• Coordinates planning activities in support of DOT meetings, training, event planning and event management.
• Ensures ongoing alignment with the UCOP Civil Disobedience Initiative.
• Coordinates and documents all training required for DOT.
• Serves as office of record for all DOT documentation.
• Monitors social media and campus calendar for upcoming/unannounced events

5% - Other Duties

• Participates on key planning committees and assignments as needed for integration of emergency management functions, including emergency preparedness, response and recovery functions.
• Researches and secures grant funding to support effective programs for one or more of the following areas of emergency management: mitigation funds, recovery funds, training funds, and equipment funds.
• Coordinates campus automated external defibrillator program

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Substantive, relevant, and recent professional-level experience in emergency management and planning in the context of a large organization.
• Substantive experience in emergency management practices, as well as advanced knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Standardized Emergency
• Management System (SEMS), and Incident Command System (ICS).
• Experience in development and writing of standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
• Experience in identification of all relevant regulations and codes including California Code of Regulations (CCR).
• Advanced knowledge of state and federal government techniques for planning and implementing emergency services, including various mutual aid systems.
• Advanced knowledge of hazard assessment methodology, mitigation measures (including preservation of academic research), damage assessment, and resource recovery.
• Excellent skills in Crisis leadership.
• Advanced skill in interacting diplomatically with and fostering an effective working relationship with diverse constituency.
• Strong skills to verbally communicate effectively with all levels of faculty, staff, students, and representatives of regulatory agencies,
• Strong writing skills necessary to communicate complicated matters clearly and concisely to a wide variety of audiences, including the competencies required to prepare professional reports and develop program materials and plans.
• Ability to lead the successful deployment of Emergency Operations Plans, Business Recovery and effective operations of the Emergency Operation Center.
• Ability to provide comprehensive and independent management of all emergency planning elements, including budgetary, long- and short-term objectives, and resource management.
• Ability and willingness to respond to emergencies in hazardous environments on an on-call 24/7 basis.
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision to organize, prioritize, and accomplish goals, exercising good judgment to schedule work.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze applicability of National Fire Protection Association Standards as they relate to Emergency Management in Higher Education.
• Demonstrated ability to make formal presentations and provide effective training in emergency management concepts to varied and diverse campus audiences, including the highest level of university management.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree
• Experience working in a higher education institution.
• Experience working with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Certified Emergency Manager
• Certified Business Continuity Professional
• California Emergency Management Specialist
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Will be required to complete FEMA Courses IS100, IS200, IS700, and IS800 within 120 days of hire.
• Will be required to complete FEMA or State of California courses ICS 300 and 400 within 1 year of hire.
  Will be required to complete certification as a Certified Emergency Manager, Certified Business Continuity Professional, or California Emergency Management Specialist within 2 years of hire.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to conduct outdoor site visits, including use of required personal protective equipment, as required to conduct investigations, inspections, or view work in place.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Has either primary or secondary emergency service duties during any incident or event affecting the safety of people on campus, property, and/or the environment. As such, this position is subject to 24/7 recall and assignment on extended duty hours or during nights, weekends, and holidays when such events occur. When assigned primary response duty, the incumbent is expected to be available and at the main campus within one hour of notification of a campus emergency.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.
• Clery Act: This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.