Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director

Salary

$89,164.00 - $143,590.00 Annually

Location

Nashville, NC

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-00090

Department

Emergency Services

Division

Emergency Medical Services

Opening Date

09/22/2026

Closing Date

10/6/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Statement of Duties

Performs executive, administrative, managerial, and supervisory work in directing and managing the Countys Emergency Medical Services Department. Serves as the Countys principal administrative and operational leader for Emergency Medical Services and as a member of the Countys department-head leadership team.

The employee is responsible for the overall administration, operation, performance, and service delivery of the Emergency Medical Services Department. Work includes establishing departmental goals and priorities; developing and implementing policies and procedures; planning and evaluating service delivery; establishing organizational structure and staffing requirements; preparing and managing operating and capital budgets; projecting future service and resource needs; and ensuring the effective and efficient use of personnel, facilities, vehicles, equipment, technology, and financial resources.

The employee provides leadership through subordinate supervisors and managers and is accountable for the performance, effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of departmental services. Personnel responsibilities include recruitment and selection, staffing, employee development, performance management, discipline, succession planning, and compliance with applicable certification, training, safety, medical, and regulatory requirements.

The employee works directly with the County Managers Office regarding departmental operations, organizational priorities, policy development, budget development and administration, personnel matters, capital needs, service delivery, regulatory requirements, and long-range planning. The employee exercises substantial independent judgment within established County policies, applicable laws and regulations, and delegated authority.

The employee establishes and maintains effective relationships with fire and rescue departments, emergency communications, governmental agencies, public officials, professional organizations, and community partners. The employee may serve in a leadership, coordination, or operational capacity during major emergencies, disasters, and other significant events.

The employee is subject to the usual hazards associated with emergency medical services and emergency response operations and may work in both indoor and outdoor environmental conditions. The employee is subject to OSHA standards relating to bloodborne pathogens and other applicable occupational safety requirements.

Work is performed under the general administrative direction of the County Managers Office, with substantial latitude for independent judgment and decision-making. Work is evaluated through conferences, reports, budgetary results, operational and performance measures, regulatory compliance, achievement of departmental goals, and the effectiveness and quality of services provided.

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Provides overall leadership, direction, administration, and management of the Emergency Medical Services Department and establishes departmental priorities consistent with County goals and policies.
• Develops and implements short- and long-range plans for Emergency Medical Services, including staffing, facilities, vehicles, equipment, technology, training, service delivery, and capital needs.
• Directs departmental operations through subordinate supervisors and managers and establishes appropriate levels of authority, accountability, and responsibility.
• Develops and recommends the departments annual operating and capital budgets; provides justification for budget recommendations; monitors expenditures and revenues; manages resources within approved appropriations; and identifies opportunities for efficiency and cost savings.
• Establishes, reviews, and updates departmental policies, procedures, protocols, and operational standards to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, medical standards, and County policies.
• Monitors departmental performance using response statistics, quality assurance measures, operational data, financial information, customer feedback, and other appropriate performance indicators; identifies and implements opportunities for improvement.
• Keeps the County Managers Office informed regarding significant operational, personnel, budgetary, regulatory, equipment, facility, and service delivery matters and makes recommendations concerning policy and administrative decisions.
• Works with the Medical Director, Training Officer, supervisors, and other appropriate personnel to establish and evaluate clinical, medical, response, and training protocols and ensure compliance with applicable standards.
• Oversees departmental personnel functions, including recruitment, selection, training, employee development, performance management, succession planning, and disciplinary matters in accordance with County policies and applicable law.
• Coordinates with other County department heads and departments on matters involving emergency response, public safety, facilities, finance, human resources, information technology, purchasing, risk management, communications, and other shared organizational functions.
• Responds to complaints, questions, and requests for information concerning EMS operations and works to resolve concerns in a professional and timely manner.
• Coordinates or participates in emergency operations and major incident response activities, including significant emergencies, disasters, mass casualty incidents, extended incidents, and other events as assigned.
• Participates in EMS response for patient care, search and rescue missions, extended medical and rescue incidents, and other emergency operations as needed.
• Ensures the timely completion and maintenance of records, reports, statistics, quality assurance information, and other documentation required by federal, state, and local laws, regulations, funding agencies, and County policies.
• Participates in professional development activities and maintains current knowledge of emergency medical services, emergency response, public safety administration, and organizational management.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and practices pertaining to emergency medical services and emergency response.
• Thorough knowledge of emergency medical principles, practices, procedures, clinical standards, and EMS service delivery models.
• Considerable knowledge of public-sector administration, organizational management, strategic planning, budgeting, purchasing, personnel administration, and performance management.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership and establish priorities for a complex department providing critical public safety services.
• Ability to develop, justify, and manage operating and capital budgets and effectively allocate resources among competing departmental needs.
• Ability to lead through subordinate supervisors and managers and establish clear expectations, accountability, and organizational responsibility.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the County Managers Office, other department heads, elected officials, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and make effective presentations to elected officials, employees, professional organizations, and the public.

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree (master's degree preferred) in emergency medical services, emergency management, public administration, business administration, healthcare administration, or a related field and 8-10 years progressively responsible experience in emergency medical services, including at least 3-5 years of supervisory and management experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience managing a complex emergency medical services organization, including responsibility for budgeting, personnel administration, strategic planning, service delivery, regulatory compliance, and interagency coordination, is highly desirable.

Special Requirements

Valid State of North Carolina Paramedic Certification and the ability to obtain and maintain certifications required by the County and applicable regulatory agencies within timeframes established by the County.

Possession of a valid North Carolina drivers license.

Must maintain all certifications and qualifications required to perform the duties of the position.

INSURANCE PROGRAMS

Nash County offers cafeteria-style benefits including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental Health Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurances)
• Disability Insurance (Long-Term and Short-Term Disability)

and more!

FINANCIAL PROGRAMS

Retirement

Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. Employees contribute 6% of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have 5 years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS.

NC401(k)

The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a 5% contribution based on monthly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction.

457 Deferred Compensation

The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income.

Special Separation Allowance

The Separation Allowance is available to law enforcement officers between the ages of 55 and 62 years that are eligible and retire under the provisions of the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System.

125 Flexible Benefit Plan

Flexible Spending Account options are available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Convenience Card program gives you instant access to your account funds.

• Health Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses.
• Dependent Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent care expenses.

Direct Deposit

Direct Deposit is a condition of employment for all employees. Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice.

LEAVE PROGRAMS

Vacation Leave

For regular full-time County employees, vacation leave accrues based on length of service in the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated vacation leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit.

Sick Leave

For regular full-time County employees, sick leave accrues each pay-cycle. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS.

Holidays

The policy of the County is to follow the holiday schedule as published by the State of North Carolina each year.

The following holidays are observed:

• New Year's Day,
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and
• Three (3) days at Christmas.

Military Leave

Annual Training - Reserves and National Guard -Ten paid workdays per fiscal year.

Active Duty - Reserves and National Guard - Ten paid workdays upon activation.

Civil Leave

Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof.

Family Medical Leave Act

Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol/drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems.

Wellness Center and Telemedicine

We believe that staying healthy is inclusive of exercising regularly and taking care of your physical body. Nash County has a Wellness Center, which consists of various exercise equipment and videos, open to all full and part-time employees.

All full-time employees also have access to telemedicine through Teladoc. Teladoc treats conditions like allergies, sore throats, asthma, and more. Doctors are available by phone or video 24/7 from wherever you are. They are available to diagnose symptoms and send a prescription if needed.

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

The benefits offered by Nash County are subject to change. In the event there is a conflict between the above contents and Nash County policies and/or a State or Federal statute, the policy/statute shall control. Plan documents will govern benefits plans should there be a conflict with this information. They are not held out to any employee as part of any contractual agreement. Benefits, policies, and procedures are subject to change or termination at any time.

Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Actual provisions of each plan will be provided on the certificate of coverage as part of the Summary Plan description.

Nash County is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Provider

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).

Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDAs Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filing cust.html and any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.

To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or

3. email: program.intake@usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

01

Which best describes your level of education?

• No GED and no High School Diploma
• GED or High School Diploma
• Some college
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorates Degree

02

How many years of progressively responsible experience do you have in emergency medical services?

• No experience
• 1-2 Years
• 2-3 Years
• 3-5 Years
• 5 or more years

03

How many years of experience do you have in supervising or managing an emergency medical services department/team?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1-2 Years
• 2-3 Years
• 3-5 Years
• 5-8 Years
• 8-10 Years
• 10yrs +

Required Question

Employer Nash County

Address 120 W. Washington Street

Nashville, North Carolina, 27856

Phone 252-459-9853

Website http://www.nashcountync.gov