Emergency Management Specialist

Position Title:

Compensation:

Department:

About this opportunity:

What you'll do and what you'll bring:

The EM Specialist will be responsible for establishing and leading Ball State University's emergency management program from the ground up. This includes developing campus emergency preparedness plans, coordinating training and exercises, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as enhancing the University's resilience by addressing immediate emergency response and long-term recovery strategies.. The role will lead the University's Crisis Management Team, serve as the primary point of contact for all emergency planning and response efforts across campus, and partner with Public Safety as appropriate.

Program Development:

• Develop and manage comprehensive emergency management policies, procedures and plans, including the Emergency Operations and Response Plan (EORP), departmental/unit plans, and Building Emergency Response Plans.

• Maintain the Emergency Operations and Plan (EORP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), and hazard-specific annexes.

• Collaborate with the Crisis Management Team to assess risks and create effective all-hazard response strategies.

Training & Exercises:

• Coordinate and lead emergency preparedness training for faculty, staff, and students.

• Design and conduct regular drills, tabletop exercises, and full-scale simulations to test and improve campus response capabilities.

• Evaluate and refine emergency plans based on training outcomes and recovery activities.

Incident Response & Coordination:

• Lead the Crisis Management Team and serve as Incident Commander during emergencies including accidents and natural disasters.

• Activate and manage the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as needed.

• Serve as the primary liaison with local, state, and federal agencies to coordinate preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

• Conduct research on hazard prevention methods, monitor weather, and provide recommendations to leadership regarding potential impacts on campus operations.

Compliance & Reporting:

• Ensure compliance with emergency management regulations (e.g., Clery Act, FEMA).

• Conduct After Action Reviews (AARs) and implement Corrective Action Plans (CAPs).

• Continuously update protocols based on best practices and lessons learned locally and nationally.

Communication:

• Develop and oversee emergency communication protocols and technologies, including mass notification systems in collaboration with Marketing and Communications.

• Maintain and update emergency-related content on the University's website and social media.

• Monitor and improve communication effectiveness through regular testing and data analysis in collaboration with Information Technology and Marketing and Communications.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Public Administration, Public Safety, Project Management or a related field; or, in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, an additional four years of experience in emergency management or other public safety fields.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in emergency management, public safety, or related field. Experience in emergency management planning and logistics.

Certifications:

• FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800 required.

Skills & Abilities:

• Exceptional self-motivation.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments.

• Excellent project management skills.

• Ability to work autonomously and exercise strong independent judgment and discernment.

• Proficiency with emergency management software and mass notification systems.

• Ability to remain calm and lead effectively during crisis situations.

Education:

• Master's degree in Emergency Management, Public Safety, Public Administration, Project Management or a related field; or, seven years of experience in emergency management or other public safety fields.

Experience, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience building emergency management programs from inception.

• Experience in higher education.

• Familiarity with higher education environments and student-centered emergency planning.

• Five years of supervisory experience or influence-based leadership in cross-functional collaborative environments.

• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local emergency management regulations and guidelines, including those specific to higher education principles, procedures, and standards.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing advanced, enterprise-wide emergency management plans, strategies, education, training, and certification programming.

• Experience in policy development, analysis, and compliance.

Certifications:

• Certifications in National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS): 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 and Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or Associate Emergency Manager (AEM).

How to apply:

To Apply:

Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled; for full consideration, parties are encouraged to apply by October 26, 2025. Please submit your recent curriculum vitae or resume and a cover letter, detailed below.

In support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experience align with the elements of the position description. In your cover letter, please select one of our enduring values and describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to that value in your professional endeavors.

To apply online, go to: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su471

To make recommendations or for more information:

Andrea Martinez

Senior Consultant

Summit Search Solutions, Inc.

Direct: 919-357-8766

amartinez@summitsearchsolutions.com

All Applicants should apply directly to Summit Search Solutions. Please do not apply to this posting directly.

What we offer:

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer paid 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. We do the same for you. In fact, we'll cover 100 percent of the tuition costs for you to earn your undergraduate degree and 80 percent of your graduate tuition. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits. Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Professional and download the spreadsheet. If you are applying for a 10-month position or one with Burris or Indiana Academy, please select the corresponding calculator.