Job Description Summary:
The Director of Emergency Services provides oversight of the Department of Emergency Services, pursuant to Harford County Code 16-28, to include the 9-1-1 Center, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Special Operations and Hazardous Materials Response, Technical Rescue, Radio Technology and Interoperability, Education and Training. This position ensures that public safety services for Harford County Government are delivered effectively, and the life, health and safety of County residents is the utmost priority.
The Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, directing, and evaluating County emergency service programs and resources supporting emergency medical services, emergency communications and 9-1-1, emergency management, preparedness, response, recovery, special operations, training, technical services, and related public safety functions. The Director is responsible for the overall administration of the Department, including personnel, budget, facilities, equipment, technology, contracts, grants, and strategic planning. The Director promotes data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, accountability, operational readiness, and effective stewardship of public resources.
The Director serves as a principal advisor to the County Executive and County leadership on emergency services policy, system capacity, operational readiness, emerging threats, resource requirements, and long-range public safety needs. The Director serves as the highest-ranking jurisdictional official having oversight of the County's public safety emergency services, career-based EMS system, and emergency communications framework. As mandated by law, emergency services under this department's purview explicitly exclude law enforcement agencies. This position also serves as the key liaison to the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.
The Director serves as the County's senior emergency management official providing executive coordination during significant emergencies, disasters, and other events requiring countywide or multi-agency response. The Director coordinates the use of County resources and works collaboratively with volunteer fire and EMS organizations, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, healthcare organizations, regional partners, State and Federal agencies, and other public and private organizations. The Director shall have comprehensive knowledge of fire prevention and suppression, rescue services, emergency medical services, communications and other aspects of public safety. The Director serves as a principal policy advisor to the County Executive on emergency services system capacity, operational readiness, and long-range public safety needs. The Director is a Cabinet level, term-appointed position.
The Director must be a resident of Harford County, Maryland.
Job Description:
SALARY RANGE: $150,491.00 - $210,688.00ESSENTIAL DUTIES Executive Leadership and Department Administration- Establishes department-wide goals, priorities, service standards, performance expectations, and long-range strategies consistent with County priorities.
- Advises the County Executive, Director of Administration, County Council, and other County officials on emergency services operations, policies, resource requirements, emerging risks, and system needs.
- Represents the Department and County on matters involving emergency services before public officials, boards, commissions, community organizations, professional associations, and other stakeholders.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System - Serves as the County's EMS Operational Authority and ensures the County EMS system operates in accordance with applicable State and local laws, regulations, standards, and policies.
- Works collaboratively with the County Medical Director, Volunteer Fire and EMS Association, hospitals, and other healthcare partners to promote high-quality and coordinated emergency medical services.
- Evaluates EMS system capacity, staffing, deployment, response performance, resource availability, demand, mutual aid, and service continuity.
- Supports quality improvement, system evaluation, operational readiness, provider training, and implementation of evidence-based practices.
Emergency Communications and 9-1-1Center Operations - Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the County's 9-1-1 Center and emergency communications functions.
- Ensures emergency communications operations provide reliable, timely, professional, and effective service to the public and emergency responders.
- Oversees strategic planning for 9-1-1, computer-aided dispatch, emergency communications, public safety radio, interoperability, and related technology systems.
Emergency Management and Preparedness - Directs and coordinates the County's all-hazards emergency management program encompassing mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
- Oversees and coordinates emergency preparedness activities among County departments, municipalities, volunteer organizations, healthcare providers, utilities, critical infrastructure partners, and other stakeholders.
- Identifies emerging hazards, vulnerabilities, and community risks and develops strategies to reduce their potential impact.
- Coordinates disaster recovery activities, damage assessments, disaster declarations, and applicable State and Federal assistance programs.
Emergency Response and Incident Coordination- Provides executive-level coordination during significant emergencies, disasters, hazardous incidents, severe weather events, and other incidents requiring countywide or multi-agency coordination and on-scene support when necessary.
- Directs or coordinates activation and operation of the Emergency Operations Center when appropriate.
- Establishes and maintains effective coordination among County departments, public safety agencies, municipalities, volunteer emergency service organizations, State and Federal agencies, hospitals, utilities, and other response partners.
- Coordinates County resources and support activities during major incidents.
- Maintains and strengthens mutual aid and regional emergency response relationships.
- Supports the transition from emergency response to recovery and restoration of essential County services.
- Ensures significant incidents are evaluated through appropriate after-action and improvement processes.
Volunteer Fire and EMS System Coordination - Supports the Harford County Volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Services Association, Inc., on all strategic, operational, and benefit issues regarding fire, rescue, and emergency medical services ( 16-28(C)).
- Serves as a senior County liaison to the volunteer fire and EMS community and develops and maintains effective working relationships with volunteer fire companies, EMS organizations, the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association, and other emergency service partners.
- Coordinates countywide strategies affecting the delivery, capacity, sustainability, and integration of volunteer and career emergency services.
- Supports development and implementation of mutually agreed-upon policies, standards, agreements, performance measures, and resource strategies.
- Maintains a comprehensive understanding of the operational and organizational challenges affecting volunteer emergency services.
- Directs and oversees volunteer fire company government funding, financial support allocations, and administrative compliance in strict accordance with 16-28(D)(3).Enforces and manages operational and compliance standards, including volunteer length of service programs (LOSAP), as outlined in Harford County Code Chapter 28.
Policy, Regulatory, and Legislative Affairs - Monitors Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, standards, and professional practices affecting emergency services.
- Reviews proposed legislation and regulatory changes for operational and financial impacts on the County.
- Provides technical and policy advice to the County Executive, County Council, and other County officials on emergency services matters.
Public Information and Emergency Communications - Coordinates with the County's public information function to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent emergency information is communicated to the public.
- Supports emergency public information operations during significant incidents.
- Promotes public understanding of emergency preparedness, 9-1-1 services, emergency medical services, disaster response, and community resilience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSYears of Experience:8 years of experience in emergency services, emergency management, emergency medical services, emergency communications, fire/rescue, public safety administration, or a closely related field.
Years of Supervisory Experience:5 years of managerial experience in fire or emergency medical service, supervisory, or command-level.
Education:Bachelor's Degree in one, or more, of the following areas: Public Administration, Emergency Management, Public Safety Management, Fire Science, Fire Science Administration, Emergency Medical Services Management
Master's Degree preferred.
Equivalent education or experience may be considered; however, no educational substitution (including advanced degrees) shall waive, reduce, or substitute for the statutory minimum requirement of 5 years of managerial experience strictly within fire or emergency medical services as mandated by 16-28(B).
Drivers License(s):Valid Class C Driver's License with no more than three (3) points.
Certifications, Licensures and Examinations:Required:- Emergency Vehicle Operator - within 6 months of hire date
- FEMA Certification - within 1 year of hire date
Preferred:- Maryland (or National Registry) EMT or Paramedic Status - Upon hire
- Certified Emergency Manager - Upon Hire
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - within 90 days of start date
- Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - within 90 days of start date
Required Competencies:- Executive Leadership - Provides clear direction and establishes accountability across a complex public safety organization.
- Strategic Thinking - Anticipates future emergency services needs and develops long-term solutions.
- Operational Readiness - Maintains organizational and system readiness for routine and extraordinary events.
- Collaboration - Builds effective relationships across County government, volunteer organizations, municipalities, healthcare providers, and regional partners.
- Data-Driven Decision Making - Uses reliable operational and financial information to evaluate performance and allocate resources.
- Fiscal Stewardship - Aligns resources and investments with demonstrated community needs and County priorities.
- Crisis Leadership - Makes sound decisions and maintains organizational effectiveness during high-consequence events.
- Accountability - Establishes measurable expectations and follows through on performance and corrective actions.
- Communication - Clearly communicates complex operational, financial, and policy matters to diverse audiences.
- Continuous Improvement - Identifies opportunities to modernize, improve efficiency, and strengthen emergency services.
SAFETY:
Must comply with all Federal (OSHA), State of Maryland (MOSH), safety regulations and applicable Harford County safety policies, procedures, or manual as required for this position.
BENEFITS:Harford County offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:
- Health, Dental & Vision insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation
- Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
- Generous Leave Package & Paid Holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement
