Salary: $165,609.60 - $240,739.20 Annually
Location : Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, 9911 SE Bush St, OR
Job Type: At Will
Job Number:Bureau: Portland Bureau of Emergency Management
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 12/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
The PositionThis City of Portland Executive Search is conducted byStrategic Government ResourcesThis recruitment will close Wednesday December 9, 2026.
Job Appointment: Full-Time, At Will.
Work Location: Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, 9911 SE Bush St., Portland, OR 97204
Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position
To Apply: Please submit your application via the SGR online portal.
Position Summary:The City of Portland is recruiting its next
Director of Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) to lead the emergency-management system of one of the nation's major metropolitan cities. The Director will build citywide plans, readiness systems, and the Emergency Coordination Center, unite City bureaus and regional partners, advise the Mayor and Disaster Policy Council, lead a 16-position bureau, and steward federal grants for a five-county region.
The Director will strengthen and integrate the citywide system in deliberate stages, starting with essential functions, clear priorities, shared responsibilities, and a strategic plan with practical milestones. Trust and collaboration will be built across Police, Fire, Emergency Communications, Transportation, Water, Environmental Services, and other bureaus, with shared exercise expectations and clear decision rights. Plans will be kept current, readiness tested through exercises and corrective-action tracking, and ECC activation standards developed. The Director will also develop the bureau's staff, deepen partnerships with Multnomah County, neighboring jurisdictions, state and federal partners, and the Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization (RDPO), and build on Neighborhood Emergency Teams and Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Nodes with multilingual communications for residents facing the greatest risk.
The ideal candidate:
- is a proven program builder who pairs technical credibility with mature management judgment and can point to measurable gains in readiness;
- has deep knowledge of incident management, Emergency Coordination Centers, and established doctrine is essential;
- has high emotional intelligence and a low ego;
- listens first, learns local context, and earns confidence through results rather than title;
- convenes independent agencies and strengthens accountability without command authority, pairing humility with decisive action;
- is politically astute and grounded;
- advises elected and appointed officials while exercising independent professional judgment;
- develops and holds staff accountable;
- and delivers results with limited resources and evolving governmental arrangements.
With an estimated population of 650,000, Portland is Oregon's largest city and the centerpiece of a vibrant metropolitan area of over 2.5 million people. Located at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, Portland is celebrated for its natural beauty, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement. The city offers a unique blend of bustling urban neighborhoods, lush green spaces, and an extensive network of bike lanes and public transit.
Have a question?Contact Information:
Clay Pearson, Senior Vice President| 718/816-8639
To Qualify Required qualifications for this position include:- Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public administration, emergency management, or a related field, including 3+ years supervising staff
- Incident Command System (ICS) training (FEMA)
- Demonstrated knowledge of emergency-management systems and emergency response
- Availability 24/7 to respond to emergency incidents and ECC activations
Preferred Qualifications:- Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field
- Leadership of complex emergency-management programs, readiness improvements, and Emergency Coordination Center functions
- Experience managing public safety budgets, navigating politically sensitive situations, and leading change in a complex public organization
- Proven results working across independent departments and jurisdictions, including grants, intergovernmental coordination, and high-stakes communications
The Recruitment ProcessAPPLY HEREAdditional Information Click here for additional information regarding the following:- City of Portland Core Values
- Recruitment Process - Work Status
A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee BenefitsWe offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to
- Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
- Carrot Fertility
- Wellness Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Retirement
- Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including contributions to the PERS IAP plan paid by employer
- Family Medical Leave
- City Paid Parental Leave
AND SO MANY MORE! Benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.
