Emergency Management Directors

Loading state data...

Loading state data...

Back to Search
Add to favorites
Career Profile

Emergency Management Directors

What they do

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

Also Called: 911 Communications Manager, Emergency Management Coordinator, Emergency Management Director, Emergency Management System Director (EMS Director), Emergency Manager, Emergency Planner, Emergency Preparedness Manager, Emergency Services Director, Emergency Services Program Coordinator, Public Safety Director, 911 Communications Manager, Emergency Management Coordinator, Emergency Management Director, Emergency Management System Director (EMS Director), Emergency Manager, Emergency Planner, Emergency Preparedness Manager, Emergency Services Director, Emergency Services Program Coordinator, Public Safety Director

Job Data & Employment

*National data provided by O*NET & BLS
Compare State data      Compare Metro Area Data   
$54,210
Starting Salary (2025)
$93,330
Median Salary (2025)
3.0%
Projected Job Growth
13,500
Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Apply for federal funding for emergency-management-related needs, and administer and report on the progress of such grants.
Attend meetings, conferences, and workshops related to emergency management to learn new information and to develop working relationships with other emergency management specialists.
Collaborate with other officials to prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies.
Consult with officials of local and area governments, schools, hospitals, and other institutions to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.
Design and administer emergency or disaster preparedness training courses that teach people how to effectively respond to major emergencies and disasters.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Enterprising
Business based Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Investigative
Studying, Research based work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Integrity
Stress Tolerance
Leadership
Dependability
Adaptability/Flexibility
Cooperation

What key skills are needed for this job?

Service Orientation
Complex Problem Solving
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Active Listening

Expected Knowledge

Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Common Activities

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 4

Considerable Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Bachelor's degree 59%
  • Master's degree 14%
  • Post-baccalaureate certificate 9%
  • Some college 9%
  • Associate's degree 5%
  • Other 5%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Business Continuity Planners
Security Managers
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Information Security Engineers

Add Emergency Management Directors to your favorites?

Add to favorites
Back to Search  

More Info

Explore 106 major profiles, common career paths and strategies to maximize opportunities.

Visit Site

Search career information in detail by keywords, browse by industry, or via your interests.

Visit Site

Explore career options, find training and education, plan for your job search and find local help and services.

Visit Site

The Occupational Outlook Handbook - browse occupations and resources and explore occupation groups.

Visit Site

The nation's primary source of occupational information. Complete data and information breakdowns for all careers.

Visit Site
*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.