DEPUTY DIRECTOR, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & REGIONAL SECURITY) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Job Description - DEPUTY DIRECTOR, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & REGIONAL SECURITY) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT (00139163)

Job Description

DEPUTY DIRECTOR, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & REGIONAL SECURITY) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Requisition ID

: 00139163

Job Posting

: Jun 26, 2026, 10:34:49 PM

Closing Date

: Jul 27, 2026, 10:29:00 AM Full-time

Posting Salary: $133,200-$162,700/YEARLY

Organization

: Offices Under the President

OVERVIEW

Cook County Office Department of Emergency Management & Regional Security is seeking an experienced Deputy Director, Emergency Management. This role supports the overall operations and administration of the department by overseeing programs, contributing to policy and procedure development, and participating in emergency management activities. It assists in recovery, mitigation, and preparedness efforts while coordinating with local first responders, elected officials, and state and federal partners. The position also aids senior leadership in long‑range planning, strengthens departmental response functions, and supports public awareness, preparedness, and training initiatives related to emergency management.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois' population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 9 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 15 vacation days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts - Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

SALARY RANGE: $133,200 - $162,700 / YEARLY

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs

• 2nd largest county in America

• Larger than 27 states

• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.

• Nearly 80% unionized workforce

• 15 unions represented

• 63 separate collective bargaining agreements

• Highway - Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.

• Land - Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.

• Safety - Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

Job Summary

Provide support in the overall operations and administration of the department''s activities. Oversee all department programs, participates in the development of policy and procedures, and emergency management response activities. Participate in recovery, mitigation and preparedness efforts while coordinating interaction between local first responders, local elected officials, state and federal cooperators for the County. Assist senior leadership with the long-range planning and the response functions for the department. Assist in emergency management planning and aid in the implementation of public awareness, preparedness and training programs as they relate to emergency management activities.

Typical Job Duties

• Provide assistance to senior leadership on administrative and operational policies and procedures, as they relate to departmental development activities.
• Serve as the department's liaison with the business operations of the department in absence of senior leadership.
• Coordinate all administrative, operational, communications and response activities, assets, programs and personnel of the department and assists senior leadership in the coordination of activities and functions for the County.
• Provide assistance regarding budgetary issues and grant management activities.
• Represent Cook County on various regional, state and federal committees related to confidential homeland security, public safety and emergency management matters.
• Support senior leadership with a range of operational and administrative tasks, including preparing reports in compliance with emergency management guidelines, managing correspondence, and handling telephone and email communications.
• Assist with establishing policies, procedures and protocols for operation, maintenance and replacement of operational and administrative equipment in accordance with budget guidelines.
• Coordinate with department staff and appropriate agencies to ensure participation in emergency disaster drills and exercises.
• Assist senior leadership in the development of the annual operating budget and monitoring of quarterly expenses.
• Stay current regarding training standards, codes and statutes that effect the department.
• Develop and promote cooperation and assistance agreements, and memorandums of understanding among various local and regional units of government and non-government organizations that may be utilized in times of an emergency or disaster.
• Maintain confidential materials and information.

Required for all jobs

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor''s Degree or higher
• Four (4) years in emergency management, public safety administration, United States armed forces, or directly related experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Homeland Security and FEMA requirements related to emergency management, as well as state, county, and municipal emergency management statutes, rules, ordinances, and codes.
• Skill in providing advice to emergency response personnel during emergency situations and conducting emergency preparedness training for community groups.
• Skill in interpreting and applying governmental directives, combined with knowledge of radio policies, protocols, and procedures.
• Ability to prepare and conduct comprehensive training programs on emergency management and preparedness issues while maintaining the integrity of confidential efforts and documents.
• Ability to implement the strategic vision of a department or organization-wide function.
• Ability to implement plans and objectives and oversee the efficiency and performance of specific processes and operations.
• Ability to work under extremely stressful situations and manage multiple tasks over extended periods, while ensuring compliance with federal and state emergency preparedness laws, rules, and regulations, and effectively explaining these requirements to county and local officials.
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal, written, or electronic formats with clarity and grammatical accuracy, along with proficient computer skills.
• Ability to make independent and accurate decisions in difficult matters with tact and courtesy, demonstrating professional judgment when working with county, local, state, and federal agencies, as well as other professionals in the field of emergency management.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership, insight, support, and direction to support the unit's mission and goals.
• Ability to solve complex problems that have long-term impact on the unit and organization.
• Ability to travel to various work locations throughout the county.
• Ability to work 24/7, including holidays and weekends for emergency response, which includes serving as the Duty Officer and potentially deploying to emergency scenes, incident command posts, or emergency operations centers activated for local or countywide incidents.

Physical Requirements:

Light Work involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job/occupation is rated Light Work when it requires: (1) walking or standing to a significant degree; (2) sitting most of the time while pushing or pulling arm or leg controls; or (3) working at a production rate pace while constantly pushing or pulling materials even though the weight of the materials is negligible.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee''s normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County's career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

Please contact shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov for inquiries about this position.