Emergency Manager

Emergency management directors plan and coordinate disaster response, preparedness, and recovery efforts for local, state, and federal agencies. They develop emergency plans, conduct training exercises, coordinate with FEMA and first responders, and manage recovery resources. The BLS reports a median salary of $83,960 with 3% projected growth. A bachelor's degree in emergency management, public administration, or a related field is required; the CEM certification is highly valued.

A Day in the Life

A typical day starts by monitoring weather alerts and checking readiness levels of emergency shelters. The morning involves updating the county's emergency operations plan and coordinating with local fire and police chiefs. After lunch, the manager leads a tabletop exercise simulating a major flood scenario with agency partners. The afternoon includes reviewing grant applications for hazard mitigation projects and presenting preparedness tips at a community meeting.

Key Stats

Required Skills