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About the Department

The San Mateo County San Mateo County Emergency Management (SMC EM) is not your typical government agency. We operate more like a startup within the public sector – building innovative programs, forging cross-sector partnerships, and redefining what modern emergency management looks like for a county of 775,000 residents across 20 cities and 18 unincorporated areas.

Our mission is to advance community resilience through a proactive and comprehensive approach to emergency management, involving the whole community in every phase of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.

To learn more about SMC EM, visit: https://www.smcgov.org/dem

 

About the Role

This is not a desk job. This is not a new position we are trying to figure out. And this is not a role where you sit behind a screen waiting for the next alert to go out.

For over a year, SMC EM has been deliberately building a countywide Alert and Warning (A&W) program that brings coherence, consistency, and credibility to how San Mateo County communicates with the public before, during, and after emergencies. We have developed training curricula, created frameworks, established partnerships, and advanced the conversation across the Operational Area. Now we need someone to carry that work forward – externally.

The Alert and Warning Coordinator is fundamentally an external-facing role. There are 32 agencies within the San Mateo County Operational Area that hold alerting authority and sending rights. Each has its own protocols, staffing models, and levels of experience with alert and warning systems. Your job is to be the connective tissue—socializing our approach to A&W with operational area partners, building alignment across jurisdictions, and ensuring that when an alert goes out in this county, it is timely, accurate, actionable, and drives protective action.

You will brief city councils, law and fire chiefs with equal confidence. You will sit with an Incident Commander during a fast-moving wildfire and translate urgency into a message that saves lives. You will train authorized users on alerting platforms and hold the line on quality when others want to cut corners. And you will do all of this while representing a department that is changing the culture of emergency management in one of the most complex operational areas in the state.

 

What This Role Actually Involves

Partnership and Coordination (Primary Focus)

• Serve as the primary liaison to the 32 agencies across the Operational Area on all matters related to alert and warning, building relationships and driving alignment toward consistent A&W practices countywide.
• Brief alert and warning programs, standards, and best practices to diverse audiences—from city councils and boards of supervisors to law and fire chiefs, emergency managers, and community organizations—adapting your message for each.
• Coordinate monthly and recurring touchpoints with Operational Area partners to advance shared A&W goals, identify gaps, and troubleshoot challenges collaboratively.
• Represent SMC EM at stakeholder meetings, advisory committees, work groups, tabling events, and public-facing engagements at all levels of government.
• Facilitate training seminars and hands-on workshops for authorized users across jurisdictions on alerting platforms, protocols, and message crafting.

 

Alert Crafting and Operational Readiness

• Develop, review, and issue emergency alerts that drive protective action – messages that are clear, accurate, geographically targeted, accessible across languages, and calibrated to the threat. This includes understanding what makes an alert effective, not just how to press “send.”
• Maintain fluency across multiple alerting platforms including IPAWS, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), the Emergency Alert System (EAS), mass notification systems, and reverse 9-1-1.
• Participate in a weekly on-call rotation, maintaining 24-hour readiness and responding to the field or Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies or disasters.
• Conduct regular testing and evaluation of A&W systems to ensure functionality, reliability, and interoperability across jurisdictions.
• Participate in after-action reviews and improvement planning to refine protocols based on lessons learned from exercises and real-world incidents.

 

Program Development and Standards

• Advance the County’s A&W program by developing and refining emergency notification standards, protocols, templates, and processes that serve as a model for the Operational Area.
• Assess existing community alert and warning programs for effectiveness, identify service gaps, and recommend evidence-based improvements – incorporating research on protective action decision-making, message design, and crisis communications.
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure A&W system integration and interoperability, including IPAWS compliance and alignment with emerging federal guidance.
• Manage vendor services and contracts related to alerting platforms and notification systems.
• Review and update Operational Area alert and warning plans on a regular basis.
• Prepare reports, briefing materials, presentation decks, and other professional documents as needed.

 

Who We Are Looking For

The right person for this role is not just technically proficient in alerting systems – they understand the weight of what an alert means and the responsibility that comes with it. They know that a poorly crafted message can erode public trust, cause unnecessary panic, or worse, fail to prompt the protective action that saves lives.

We are looking for someone who combines operational skill with judgment, presence, and the relational ability to be credible across a complex Operational Area.

 

Mindset and Character

• Growth mindset. You are insatiably curious, always learning, and never satisfied with “the way we’ve always done it.”
• Willingness to ask for help when uncertain and to verify information before acting. In this work, getting it right matters more than getting it fast.
• Thrives under pressure. You can pivot, adapt, verify, and make sound decisions in rapidly evolving, high-consequence situations.
• Comfort with ambiguity. Emergency management rarely offers a clear playbook. You can operate effectively when the situation is messy, the information is incomplete, and the stakes are high.
• Integrity and courage. If you believe an alert is inaccurate or could cause harm, you speak up – even when it’s uncomfortable.

 

Knowledge and Experience

• Strong knowledge of IPAWS protocols and the broader alert and warning ecosystem, including WEA, EAS, and mass notification platforms.
• Demonstrated fluency using alerting platforms—not just awareness of them, but hands-on operational experience issuing, testing, or managing alerts.
• Understanding what makes an effective emergency alert: message design principles, protective action messaging, audience considerations, and the science behind how people receive and act on warnings.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal regulations governing public alerts and emergency communications.
• Experience engaging diverse stakeholders including elected officials, public safety leaders, community organizations and adapting communications to the audience.
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience with reports, briefings, proposals, and professional presentations.
• Familiarity with the five Emergency Management Sections (Management, Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance/Admin) and the Incident Command System.
• Completion of ICS Courses 100, 200, 700, and 800, or ability to complete within first 90 days.
• Completion of IS-247.C (IPAWS for Alert Originators) and IS-248 (IPAWS for the American Public), or ability to complete within first 90 days.
• A valid California Driver’s License.
• Ability to work across a wide variety of settings (field, office, EOC) and disciplines (law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical personnel).

 

Preferred but Not Required

• Master’s degree in emergency management, public administration, public affairs, crisis communication, homeland security, or a related field.
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions or within a complex multi-agency operational environment.
• Knowledge of information technology related to emergency management, including radio communication systems and interoperability standards.
• Experience with grant writing, program budgeting, or contract management related to emergency communication systems.

 

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify:

• Education: Bachelors and Masters (preferred) degree from an accredited college or university in emergency management, public administration, communications, homeland security, or a related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum five (5) years of experience in alert and warning operations, emergency communications, or emergency/disaster planning and management in a public, military, or private organization.

 

Application/Examination

How to Apply

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please submit the following materials via email:

• Resume
• Cover letter with responses to the Supplemental Questions below (maximum 2 pages)

1. Describe your hands-on experience with alert and warning systems and platforms. What role did you play in developing, issuing, or managing alerts and what did you learn about what makes an alert effective at driving protective action?
2. This role requires building alignment across 32 agencies with different levels of A&W experience and capacity. Describe a time you had to bring multiple organizations or stakeholders together around a shared standard or practice. What was your approach, and what did you learn?
3. Tell us about a time when you identified that information being communicated during an emergency or high-pressure situation was inaccurate or incomplete. What immediate steps did you take, and what did you put in place to prevent it from happening again?

Please include “SMC EM Coordinator – Alert & Warning - Unclassified” in the subject line of your email submission. Submit required materials electronically to:

Rick Reed, SMC EM Coordinator

Email: rreed1@smcgov.org

Important: APPLY IMMEDIATELY. Application materials will be reviewed as received, and qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. This posting is open on a continuous basis and a selection may be made at any time. Submissions that do not include all required elements will not be considered. Application materials are only accepted via email.

About San Mateo County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California, serving a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

The City of San Mateo is currently taking applications for the position of Dispatcher. Being a police dispatcher is an exciting career opportunity for those who thrive in fast-paced and dynamic environments. As the critical link between the public and law enforcement, dispatchers play a vital role in ensuring community safety by coordinating emergency responses and providing essential support to officers in the field. This position offers the chance to make a real difference in people's lives every day while developing valuable skills in communication, multitasking, and problem-solving. If you are looking for a rewarding career that challenges you to stay calm under pressure and be a part of a dedicated team, consider becoming a police dispatcher.

This is a continuous recruitment. Applicants are added to the employment list if they meet the minimum qualifications. 

THE DEPARTMENT
The Burlingame Police Department is a municipal, full service, community oriented department.  We offer a variety of investigative, preventative, and community policing programs to both protect and serve a community that spans five square miles and is home to more than 28,000 residents.

The Burlingame Police Department is divided into two divisions: Operations and Administration.  The force currently consists of 40 police officers, made up of the Chief of Police, 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 6 Sergeants, 6 Corporals, 2 Inspectors, and 22 Patrol Officers.

We are active in county-wide law enforcement efforts by participating in the San Mateo County Gang Task Force, Avoid the 23 (DUI) Task Force, Narcotic Task Force Details, Alcohol Beverage Control Operations, Office of Traffic Safety grants and as Police Academy Training Officers.

POSITION
Burlingame Police Officers are responsible for preventing crime, arresting law violators, directing traffic, etc.  In that capacity, officers may also serve in special assignments such as K-9, detective, SWAT, hostage teams, FTO, and motorcycle patrol.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Patrol various areas within the City by driving a police vehicle or by walking to prevent criminal activity, to enforce various laws, regulations, and codes.
• Respond to radio dispatched calls and reports to crime scenes or locations of disorder to protect life and property.
• Conduct investigations, gathers information and writes factual reports involving criminal activity, traffic accidents, suspicious activity, or other unusual incidents.
• Make arrests as necessary and writes report of all arrests made and activities performed.
• Interview and interrogate suspicious persons, suspects, and prisoners.
• Gather, mark, preserve, and record evidence in criminal or related matters; testify and present evidence in court.
• Serve warrants and subpoenas.
• Assist in the performance of special investigations and perform undercover and surveillance activities when necessary.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge of:

• State laws, local regulations, ordinances, and codes including laws or arrest, current court decisions, General Police procedures and rules.
• Standard police broadcasting procedures and codes.
• Proper use of departmental firearms.
• Geography of the local area.

Ability to:

• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Read, comprehend, write, and speak English effectively.
• Write clear, concise and grammatically correct police reports.
• Observe, hear, remember, and record facts in writing.
• Interpret, explain, and apply laws and regulations.
• Analyze and judge situations/people accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Mediate confrontations including those encountered during family, neighborhood or work disputes, or civil disorders, controlling hostile people or groups.
• Be free of bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
• Exercise judgment in determining when to use force and to what degree.
• Build effective working relationships.
• Maintain contact and preserve good relations with the public; respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Use sound conflict resolution and problem solving skills.
• Arrest persons with or without warrants and physically take into custody, guarding arrestee.
• Administer first aid and CPR.

Skills:

• Operation of police vehicle at high rates of speed during emergency situations.
• Use police vehicle radios as well as hand-held portables and use proper radio codes.
• Use hand-held and/or electronic equipment for drug and alcohol detection.
• Ability to process for and lift latent evidence.
• Finger print and take palm prints from arrestees.
• Use departmentally issued firearms safely and safety equipment.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Candidates must be a US Citizen, at least 21 years of age on date of appointment, a US high school graduate (or GED equivalent), have no felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history.  Must be able to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions, read, comprehend, write, and speak English effectively.

Entry Level - Proof of completing the POST Written Test and Physical Agility Test with a passing score.

Lateral Police Officer - To be considered for a lateral Police Officer appointment, candidates must have prior experience as a sworn law enforcement officer within the past twelve (12) months, including the completion of the field training program and probation period with a law enforcement agency.

Applicants with more than a three year break in employment as a California Police Officer or who are an out-of-state Police Officer must provide evidence of successful completion of the CA Basic POST Course waiver process.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please apply online at https://www.calopps.org/burlingame/job-20674472.

SELECTION PROCESS:
Those most qualified candidates submitting the required documents in person to the Burlingame Police Department will be invited to participate in oral interviews and other elements of the selection process.

BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS:
Finalists will be required to undergo a thorough background investigation and criminal/vehicle records check.  Employment offers are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical/drug screen and psychological examination.  Past substance abuse and criminal activity may be grounds for disqualification but all candidates will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The San Mateo Police Department is accepting applications for Police Officer Lateral Candidates Only!

This is continuous recruitment.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, a Lateral Candidate must have:

a)  Possession of a California Basic POST Course Certificate written exam certificate with a preferred T-score of 52 or above. Possession of a California Post Course Certificate (as noted above) of at least 800 hours issued within 3 years of the date of application. A copy of your certificate with your application is required in order for you to continue with the process.

AND

b)  Currently employed or previously employed within the last 12 months with a California Law Enforcement Agency as a Peace Officer. A copy of your certificate with your application is required in order for you to continue with the process.

Those applicants meeting the minimum qualifications and have submitted the required documentation, will be added to the employment list. Please email them to joinsmd@cityofsanmateo.org.

Failure to attach and/or submit your certificate, your application will not move forward in the process.

The Position: Police Officers perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; control traffic flow and enforce state and local regulations; perform investigative work; participate in and provide support and assistance to special department crime prevention and enforcement programs and do related police work as assigned. Duties and hours will vary with assignments.

The Department:  Consists of a diverse and outstanding group of men and women who have dedicated themselves to public service. Our staff is devoted to protecting and serving the citizens of San Mateo professionally, while providing outstanding customer service.  The department is dedicated to providing creative and long-term solutions to ongoing issues that may arise from time to time.

The City of Pacifica is currently hiring part-time Child Care Aides and Child Care Associate Teachers to join our team!

Are you 18 years of age or older?  

Are you available to work Monday through Friday with varying shifts?

Do you have a passion for working with children?

If so, apply today!

THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Pacifica is a beautiful coastal community, just south of San Francisco with an exciting opportunity for Child Care Professionals. Currently, the City of Pacifica Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department is recruiting for Child Care Aides and Child Care Associate Teachers to join our Child Care Team! The level at which an individual is hired will be dependent on the applicant's qualifications, work experience and education.

At the City of Pacifica, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. To us, equal opportunity employment is not just about compliance, it’s about who you are, how you can help our City and who you want to be. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and residents.

Salary

Child Care Aide: $16.50 - $19.50 per hour, part time, non-benefited, typically limited to 1,000 hours per year.  

Child Care Associate Teacher: $19.50 - $25.00 per hour, part time, non-benefited, typically limited to 1,000 hours per year.

CHILD CARE AIDE

This position will work directly with a Child Care Site Coordinator or Lead Teacher at varying pre-school or K-6/ K-8 school sites based on program needs. The Child Care Aide is responsible for leading activities and supervising small groups of children in State-funded Title V programs.

BASIC EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assisting staff in implementing youth recreation activities, sports, arts, crafts, and other age-appropriate activities
• Maintaining discipline, site safety and observe the overall physical and emotional well-being of the program participants
• Interacting with parents, participants, school district and city employees in a professional manner
• Attending staff meetings and in-service trainings as required

The duties described in this job announcement are intended only as illustrations of the basic types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Job description is currently under review.

CHILD CARE ASSOCIATE TEACHER

This position is responsible for leading activities and supervision of small groups of children at a State-funded Title V program. 

BASIC EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assisting staff in implementing youth recreation activities, sports, arts, crafts, and other age-appropriate activities.
• Maintaining discipline, site safety and observe the overall physical and emotional well-being of the program participants.
• Interacting with parents, participants, school district and city employees in a professional manner.
• Assisting students in completing homework in a variety of subjects.
• Attending staff meetings and in-service training as required.

The duties described in this job announcement are intended only as illustrations of the basic types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.   Job description is currently under review.

Join Our Team! The City of South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department is seeking Adult Day Care/Senior Program Leaders (Recreation Leader II/III). 

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can make an impact? Come thrive in South San Francisco, where vibrant parks, a state-of-the-art library, and a passionate community set the stage for a fulfilling career in civil service. With flexible, part-time positions, this is the perfect opportunity to jumpstart your career, gain hands-on experience, and help shape the future of our dynamic city!

Why Work with Us?

• Be a part of the third largest department in South San Francisco
• Engage with our diverse community through exciting programs in Aquatics, Arts, Youth Enrichment, and more!
• Enjoy a flexible, part-time work schedule perfect for students or those seeking work-life balance

Are you ready to make a difference and grow with us? Apply today and be part of something bigger! 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered, applicants must submit the following REQUIRED items:

• City application

NOTE: Applications must be completed in full. All work experience, and education or training must be listed directly on the City application. Applications that state “See Resume” or omit required information will be considered incomplete and subject to disqualification.  Resumes may be attached separately; however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City application. Only application materials and documents that are specifically required within this job announcement will be reviewed as part of the application process. 
 

Recruitment Contact: 

Name: Laura Armanino

Phone: 650-829-3800

To view the full job description, qualifications, and available shifts, please click the link below. This is a continuous recruitment and may close at at any time.

Join Our Team! The City of South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a passionate Recreation & Community Services Program Coordinator to lead our Full-of-Fun program. 

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can make an impact? Come thrive in South San Francisco, where vibrant parks, a state-of-the-art library, and a passionate community set the stage for a fulfilling career in civil service. With flexible, part-time positions, this is the perfect opportunity to jumpstart your career, gain hands-on experience, and help shape the future of our dynamic city!

Why Work with Us?

• Be a part of the third largest department in South San Francisco
• Engage with our diverse community through exciting programs in Aquatics, Arts, Youth Enrichment, and more!
• Enjoy a flexible, part-time work schedule perfect for students or those seeking work-life balance

Are you ready to make a difference and grow with us? Apply today and be part of something bigger! 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered, applicants must submit the following REQUIRED items:

• City application

NOTE: Applications must be completed in full. All work experience, and education or training must be listed directly on the City application. Applications that state “See Resume” or omit required information will be considered incomplete and subject to disqualification.  Resumes may be attached separately; however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City application. Only application materials and documents that are specifically required within this job announcement will be reviewed as part of the application process. 

Recruitment Contact: 

Name: Laura Armanino

Phone: 650-829-3800

To view the full job description, qualifications, and available shifts, please click the link below. This is a continuous recruitment and may close at at any time.

The City of Menlo Park is currently accepting applications for police academy graduates that are motivated, well-trained professionals who can meet the challenge of a fast paced, multi-tasking law enforcement environment.

The Hiring and Retention Incentive Program pays new, eligible Police Officers who are Police
Academy Graduates up to a total amount of $10,000 (See details under benefits).

The Menlo Park Police department is an operation in which the patrol officers enjoy communicating and building relationships with individuals within the community. We embrace a true community connection and commitment with participants on all sides. Rather than designating certain officers to focus on solving community problems, Menlo Park will charge all police personnel with proactive community policing responsibilities. We ask our officers to seek innovative solutions to local problems, respond to citizen complaints of violations and provide excellent customer service.

A small agency, such as the Menlo Park Police Department, will enable you to attain a breadth of experience and exposure through which to advance your career in numerous ways. We are seeking individuals who are enticed by our vision and will bring high energy, innovation, self-motivation and passion to their chosen profession. The City of Menlo Park recognizes the value of continuing education and increased knowledge acquired through personal and professional development of its’ workforce and allows employees to further their education goals. Accordingly, the City is committed to providing support for learning opportunities that directly and indirectly assist employees in achieving their personal and professional learning goals.

Additionally, major thoroughfares coursing through our fully developed community make traffic management a vital duty of all patrol officers. Overall, the department has strong opportunities for specialty assignments, including: K9, investigations, narcotics enforcement, traffic, SWAT/HNT and POP. Patrol teams enjoy a rotating 4/12 plan or a fixed 4/10 schedule in specialty assignments.

The City realizes the diversity of the community and therefore upon approval, the City pays officers a bilingual stipend. Our officers continually strive to be the best and achieve high standards; they receive a 5% incentive for achieving their Intermediate POST certificate and 10% incentive for achieving their advanced certificate.

For more information, please review the MOU here.

The City has new desktop and laptop computers in place for employees. The City already has Crime Analysis and Traffic Analysis software systems in place. A new handheld citations system for traffic has recently been launched. The City also implemented a citywide GIS system, document imaging system, and Intranet, which are available to all staff members. Additionally, we have placed laptops in all patrol cars in order to facilitate timely report writing and response to calls for service.

The City of Menlo Park is currently accepting applications for lateral Police Officers that are motivated, well-trained professionals who can meet the challenge of a fast paced, multi-tasking law enforcement environment.

The Hiring and Retention Incentive Program pays new, eligible Police Officers who are Lateral Police Officers up to a total amount of $40,000 (See details under benefits).

The Menlo Park Police department is an operation in which the patrol officers enjoy communicating and building relationships with individuals within the community. We embrace a true community connection and commitment with participants on all sides. Rather than designating certain officers to focus on solving community problems, Menlo Park will charge all police personnel with proactive community policing responsibilities. We ask our officers to seek innovative solutions to local problems, respond to citizen complaints of violations and provide excellent customer service.

A small agency, such as the Menlo Park Police Department, will enable you to attain a breadth of experience and exposure through which to advance your career in numerous ways. We are seeking individuals who are enticed by our vision and will bring high energy, innovation, self-motivation and passion to their chosen profession. The City of Menlo Park recognizes the value of continuing education and increased knowledge acquired through personal and professional development of its’ workforce and allows employees to further their education goals. Accordingly, the City is committed to providing support for learning opportunities that directly and indirectly assist employees in achieving their personal and professional learning goals.

Additionally, major thoroughfares coursing through our fully developed community make traffic management a vital duty of all patrol officers. Overall, the department has strong opportunities for specialty assignments, including: K9, investigations, narcotics enforcement, traffic, SWAT/HNT and POP. Patrol teams enjoy a rotating 4/12 plan or a fixed 4/10 schedule in specialty assignments.

The City realizes the diversity of the community and therefore upon approval, the City pays officers a bilingual stipend. Our officers continually strive to be the best and achieve high standards; they receive a 5% incentive for achieving their Intermediate POST certificate and 10% incentive for achieving their advanced certificate. Starting September 1, 2024, Menlo Park police officers with at least one year of local service are eligible for longevity pay based on their total years as a California peace officer. Credited time includes all years served in Menlo Park plus half of any years served at other California agencies.

For more information, please review the MOU here.

The City has new desktop and laptop computers in place for employees. The City already has Crime Analysis and Traffic Analysis software systems in place. A new handheld citations system for traffic has recently been launched. The City also implemented a citywide GIS system, document imaging system, and Intranet, which are available to all staff members. Additionally, we have placed laptops in all patrol cars in order to facilitate timely report writing and response to calls for service.

At San Mateo County's Department of Emergency Management, we're building something different. Our vision is audacious: become the most resilient county in the United States by 2030. We coordinate the full cycle of emergency management across 20 cities and 775,000+ residents. And we do it with a team that operates more like a startup than a bureaucracy – entrepreneurial, innovative, and relentlessly focused on what works.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

When disaster strikes—earthquake, wildfire, atmospheric river, or cascading crisis—the difference between lives saved and lives lost often comes down to one thing: communication. Did the alert reach the right people? In the right language? At the right time? Did it actually motivate action?

As our Alert & Warning Coordinator, you will own this mission. You'll architect the systems, craft the protocols, and build the partnerships that ensure every resident – from Half Moon Bay to Redwood City, from tech executives to farmworkers – gets the information they need to prepare, survive, and recover.

WHAT YOU WILL ACTUALLY DO

Build & Innovate:

• Lead the implementation of the Five Elements Framework—an evidence-based framework developed with leading researchers – in all our alerts and warning initiatives.
• Design multilingual alert systems that reach every community, including those often left behind.
• Integrate cutting-edge technologies: IPAWS, Genasys Protect, AI-powered monitoring, and tools that don't exist yet.
• Develop dashboards and systems that give our partners real-time situational awareness.

Coordinate & Connect:

• Serve as the nexus point between local, state, and federal emergency communication systems.
• Coordinate with 20 cities, 18 unincorporated areas, fire districts, law enforcement, healthcare systems, and community organizations.
• Build relationships with trusted community messengers who can amplify our reach.
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts for emergency notification platforms.

Respond & Adapt:

• Maintain 24-hour readiness and participate in on-call rotation.
• Staff the Emergency Operations Center during activations—from Blue Sky preparedness to Dark Sky crisis.
• Lead after-action reviews that turn every incident into institutional learning.
• Troubleshoot systems under pressure when everything depends on them working.

WHO YOU ARE

You're not just checking boxes—you're solving problems nobody's solved before. You bring:

The Foundation:

• Bachelor's degree in emergency management, public administration, communications, or related field (Master's preferred but not required).
• 5+ years in program planning, emergency management, or crisis communications.
• FEMA ICS courses (100, 200, 700, 800) and IPAWS certification (IS-247, IS-251)—or willingness to complete.

The Technical Credentials:

• Deep knowledge of IPAWS protocols and alert & warning best practices.
• Fluency with emergency notification platforms, GIS, and communication technologies.
• Coding ability (Python, Java, or C++) to build tools, automate workflows, and solve problems.
• Understanding of radio communications systems and redundant infrastructure.

The Mindset That Sets You Apart:

• Insatiably curious. You read the research. You ask why. You're never satisfied with "that's how we've always done it."
• Agile under pressure. You don't just tolerate rapidly changing, demanding environments—you thrive in them.
• A team multiplier. You add value wherever you can, not just where your job description ends.
• Resilient. You bounce back. You adapt. You're ready for whatever comes next.
• An exceptional communicator. You write clearly, speak persuasively, and translate complexity into action.
• Equity-minded. You're committed to reaching every community, especially those historically underserved.

OUR CULTURE: NOT YOUR TYPICAL EM SHOP

We're breaking the emergency management mold. Our approach integrates:

• Growth mindset: Challenges are opportunities. Failures are learning.
• Agile structure: Swift, decentralized decision-making. No permission culture.
• Human-centered design: Solutions built around people, not bureaucracy.
• Our 3C Framework: Connection, Capability, Communication – the lens through which we approach everything.

We pair veteran emergency managers with data scientists, social scientists, and human-centered designers. We operate across Blue Sky (preparedness), Grey Sky (heightened readiness), and Dark Sky (crisis) conditions. And we're building something that will outlast all of us.

READY TO JOIN US?

Submit the following via email:

• Resume
• Cover letter responding to these questions (max 2 pages):

1. Describe your experience developing and managing alert & warning systems. What technologies have you worked with and what have you learned in the process?
2. Tell us about a time when communications went wrong during a crisis. What happened, how did you respond, and what systems did you build to prevent it happening again?
3. You are coordinating emergency response and your virtual EOC system fails. Walk us through your troubleshooting process.

Please craft the answers to these supplemental questions yourself.  If you use a tool such as AI, please customize your responses. We need to know how you think and what your experiences have been.  

Include the words "DEM Coordinator – Alert & Warning - Unclassified" in the subject line of email submission. 

Please submit the required materials electronically via email to: 

Rick Reed, DEM Coordinator

Email: rreed1@smcgov.org

Application materials will be reviewed as they are received and qualified candidates will be contacted by the department for an interview.  

APPLY IMMEDIATELY. Application materials will be accepted until the position is filled. This posting is open on a continuous basis and selection may be made at any time within the process.

NOTE: Application materials are only accepted via e-mail. Materials sent via regular mail and/or fax will not be accepted. Submissions that do not include all required elements (a resume and a cover letter with responses to supplemental questions) will not be considered.

The mission of the Department of Emergency Management is to advance community resilience through a proactive and comprehensive approach to emergency management, involving the whole community in every phase of disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. 

To learn more about the DEM please visit https://www.smcgov.org/dem

About the County 
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
 
The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Chet Overstreet (01232026) (Department of Emergency Management Coordinator - Q002)