The San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management is looking for a mission-driven professional to join our small but highly capable team as an Emergency Management Coordinator. In this role, you’ll support the County’s emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts, serving as a vital link between County departments, local partners, and the public.
This is a unique opportunity to apply your technical skills in GIS and data systems that directly impact public safety and community resilience as they relate to emergency management.
From planning and exercises to incident response and community outreach, you’ll help lead initiatives that protect and prepare San Mateo County’s diverse communities for all hazards. This position blends operational coordination with hands-on readiness work, including supporting emergency operations centers (EOCs), field deployments, training, and stakeholder engagement.
Want to learn more about this role before applying?
Join us for a LinkedIn Live Info Session on Tuesday, July 8 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PST, where you'll hear directly from the Department of Emergency Management about the Emergency Management Coordinator position. We’ll cover job duties, on-call responsibilities, and how this role supports Countywide emergency operations. There will also be time for Q&A.
Click here to register for the session on LinkedIn and bring your questions!
Why This Role Matters
Our mission is to advance community resilience through comprehensive, proactive emergency management. As an Emergency Management Coordinator, your work will directly support:
- Countywide disaster planning and preparedness
- Real-time coordination during incidents
- Community education and public safety outreach
- Operational readiness across all phases of emergency management
This is not a desk-only job . You will be part of a rotating on-call team and may respond to HAZMAT incidents, wildfires, or other critical events to help lead and support the County’s emergency response.
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking someone who brings:
- A collaborative, service-minded approach
- Clear communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
- Strong organization and follow-through under high-pressure conditions
- Familiarity with emergency management principles and operational coordination
- Technical experience is preferred . Especially in GIS, data tools, or emergency systems.
On-Call Expectations
Emergency Coordinators may be assigned on-call duties with a minimum of 7 days' advance notice, distributed equitably among qualified staff. During on-call periods, employees must remain within 30 miles of the facility and respond within 30 minutes of notification while maintaining reliable communication. Employees will be compensated for all on-call hours outside of normal working hours under applicable labor standards and collective bargaining agreements. Employees retain the right to engage in personal activities during on-call periods, cannot be assigned more than 7 consecutive days without a 48-hour break, and maintain full union representation rights and grievance procedures for any on-call related issues. All provisions comply with Fair Labor Standards Act requirements and union standards for emergency worker compensation and working conditions.
Key Responsibilities
- Emergency Planning & Coordination
- Support technical tools such as SMCAlert , EOC software, GIS dashboards, and mapping platforms
- Develop visual aids and dashboards to support situational awareness
- Program Administration & Technical Support
- Develop and update all-hazards emergency plans, policies, and procedures
- Collaborate with County departments and regional partners to ensure coordinated response strategies
- Lead and support planning meetings, working groups, and operational briefings
- Will be assigned to the Emergency Operations Center when activated
- Participate in on-call rotation and respond to emergency incidents as needed
- Liaise with Incident Commanders and partner agencies during activations
- Support situational awareness, logistics coordination, and field communications
- Provide Just-In-Time Training and support for County staff and first responders
- Training, Exercises & Public Engagement
- Help develop and administer the Integrated Preparedness Plan ( IP P)
- Coordinate and conduct drills and community outreach events
- Represent the County at regional stakeholder meetings and public forums
- Maintain inventory of emergency equipment, supplies, and documentation
Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered. A typical path includes:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public administration, planning, GIS, or a related field
Experience: At least one year of experience supporting emergency planning, response coordination, training, or related public service activities
Preferred:
- ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 certifications (or willingness to obtain)
- Familiarity with EOC functions and emergency notification systems
Application/Examination
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
LinkedIn Live Info Session: July 8, 2025, from 9 am – 10 am PST
Application Deadline: July 9, 2025 by 11:59 pm PST
Application Screening: July 10, 2025
