Director of Emergency Services
Salary
$127,470.18 - $206,501.49 Annually
Location
La Plata, MD
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
2026-00130
Department
ES ADMINISTRATION
Opening Date
04/29/2026
Summary
The hiring salary range is $127,470.18 - $206,501.49 annually, commensurate with
experience. Open until filled with a best consideration date of May 13, 2026.
This posting may close without notice.
Charles County Government is seeking an experienced Director of Emergency Services in the Department of Emergency Services/Administration to direct the Countys public safety operations to include emergency medical services, animal care and control, public safety dispatch, emergency preparedness program, and other public safety related and administrative functions under the department's responsibility. Overall goals are set, and the Director determines the specific tasks and assignments to be performed, independently handling new or unusual problems and deviations encountered in the work.
Essential Job Functions
Ensures the effective and efficient management of the County's public safety and administrative operations within the department.
Oversees execution of emergency plans in accordance with County, State and Federal regulations and standards.
Hires, trains, coordinates, evaluates, and disciplines departmental personnel in accordance with County Personnel policies and procedures.
Coordinates with volunteer Fire/EMS companies within the County.
Develops and coordinates mutual aid plans between Fire and Rescue and Police agencies in adjacent counties as well as federal and state organizations.
Coordinates and promotes mutual aid plans with County fire, rescue, police, adjacent counties, and appropriate State and Federal agencies to ensure their cooperation in the event of an emergency.
Oversees the development of effective instructional training and orientation.
Chairs the Local Emergency Plan Committee (LEPC).
Represents the County on various committees and at association meetings.
Oversees the development, updates, and execution of emergency plans in accordance with County, State and Federal regulations and standards.
Assists in the emergency management coordination and planning with related public and private agencies, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Directs the operations of the County's Emergency Operations Center in preparation for and during disasters in support of the Emergency Manager.
Prepares and monitors departmental budget, ensures department operates within procurement and budgetary guidelines.
Oversees the coordination of County 911 Communication Center enhancements and dispatching procedures with police, fire, and EMS Communications Board.
Collaborates with the County Board of Fire and Rescue, County Fire Chiefs and County EMS Chiefs meetings for purposes of coordinating County related activities with volunteer activities.
Monitors the effectiveness of the Emergency Services revenue programs and makes adjustments as necessary.
Directs the Countys Animal Care and Control operations.
Oversees capital projects as assigned.
Performs other related job duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in public safety administration or related area. Ten (10) years of progressively responsible management and supervisory experience in field of emergency preparedness and response including high level leadership and supervision of police, fire, or EMS (Fire/Paramedic) experience; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
Licenses or Certifications:
Must possess a valid drivers license.
ICS 100/IS 700 NIMS (National Incident Management System) certification.
Special Requirements/Qualifications:
May include working long hours in emergency response situations.
Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.
This position is required to receive climate competency training level 1.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles and practices of emergency preparedness as applied to the requirements of the County.
Knowledge of effective techniques and practices of administration and accounting office management including budgeting, computerization, personnel and purchasing.
Knowledge of effective techniques of supervision.
Ability to direct the Countys emergency medical services, emergency preparedness, animal control and public safety dispatch operations.
Ability to monitor operations and take appropriate actions to ensure that operations meet requirements.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others encountered in the work.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to dispatch and supervise broad range technical and emergency operations and personnel in short term or long-term emergency response events and preparedness planning.
Additional Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is sedentary with frequent periods of light physical activity and is performed in office surroundings. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; and requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.
Department/Division: Department of Emergency Services/Administration
Pay Grade: 123
FLSA Status: Exempt
Telework Eligible: Yes
Reports To: County Administrator
Supervises: Deputy Director(s), Assistant to the Director, Emergency Services Specialist, Emergency Manager, Emergency Services Revenue Programs Manager
Charles County Government
BENEFITS SUMMARY
www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/CharlesCountyMD
Health Insurance
Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.
Flexible Spending Account
Provides medical and dependent care options.
Supplemental Income Products
Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.
Long Term Disability Insurance
No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month. Retiree Health Insurance New hires who elect health insurance coverage with County Government are enrolled in a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Account (VEBA). This coverage allows employees to pay health insurance premiums and other medical expenses following retirement or separation from employment.
Life Insurance
No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.
Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan - Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.
Deferred Compensation Plan
457(b) Governmental Plan - Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.
Employee Leave
Transfer of Sick Leave
New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.
Work Schedules
Additional Fringe Benefits
Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2025
01
The hiring salary range for this position is $127,470.18 - $206,501.49 annually, commensurate with experience. Salary will be determined for the selected candidate based on related experience and other factors. Internal candidates selected for this position will receive a salary according to the county's promotional pay increase policy. Please confirm that you are acknowledging this is the hiring salary range for this position.
02
Describe your experience in managing and working unions, specifically negotiations and Collective Bargaining Agreements.
03
Describe your experience in managing data for an Emergency Services Department.
04
How do you manage and engage employees that are not only on "shifts" but also out in stations - what resources do you employ to make sure you are connected with your employees? Please list a few.
05
The position you are applying for requires an acceptable driving record. The Charles County Government employee driving policy states that employees will be considered to have an acceptable driving record if ALL of the following statements are true: - I do not exceed a maximum of four (4) points on my driving record. - I do not have a suspended or revoked license. - I do not have a single motor vehicle violation, conviction, or plea of Nolo Contendere, or the acceptance of Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) involving the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, refusal to take an alcohol or drug test, or the misuse of legal over-the-counter medication for any of these violations. - I have not demonstrated a pattern of unsafe vehicle operation as evidenced by moving violations or single infraction of such severity (e.g., eluding a police officer; evading responsibility; failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, reckless driving, etc.). According to these guidelines, do you have an acceptable driving record?
06
For the top candidate selected for this position, the next steps in the hiring process will include verification of employment history and reference checking. We will contact your current employer and two additional professional references following a conditional offer. We will also conduct a background check, driver record check and physical exam, if applicable, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening before a final offer is extended. Please confirm that you are acknowledging that if you are the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.
07
Are you a federal employee recently affected by a layoff/reduction in force?
Required Question
Employer Charles County Government