Adult Learning, Communication Skills, Data Analysis, Department of Health and Human Services, Emergency Care, Emergency Management, Emergency Planning, Emergency Procedures, Emergency Response, Facilities Management, Government, Leadership, On Call, Operations Management, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Project Tracking, Public Health, Set Goals, Staff Training
The Opportunity:
As the Emergency Preparedness Manager, you will lead how DFS prepares for and responds to emergencies – especially those affecting people’s basic safety and stability. Reporting to the Facilities Operations Manager, you will build and oversee a department-wide emergency preparedness and response program for a large Health and Human Services agency. You will also set expectations, support professional development, and provide supervision for an Emergency Management Specialist II.
A central part of this role is leading DFS’s training and planning work for Emergency Support Function (ESF) 6: Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services. You will ensure staff are trained and ready to support family assistance centers, emergency shelters, and other critical services when our community needs them most.
What You’ll Do:- Builds and manages the preparedness program
- Develops, maintains, and implements DFS emergency plans, procedures, and playbooks that align with federal, state, county, and departmental priorities.
- Coordinates readiness activities, including shelter planning and other ESF-6 responsibilities.
- Sets program goals, monitor progress, and represent DFS on relevant emergency management committees and workgroups.
- Leads trainings and exercises
- Designs and delivers emergency preparedness, response, and recovery trainings for DFS staff, with a strong focus on ESF-6 roles.
- Plans and coordinates tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises.
- Ensures all activities follow NIMS/ICS and county standards and integrate adult learning principles.
- Evaluates and improves readiness
- Analyzes data and feedback from trainings, exercises, and real incidents.
- Develops after-action reports and improvement plans.
- Tracks key performance indicators and recommend updates to plans, training, and procedures.
- Leads during emergencies
- Leads and supports professional staff, contractors, and volunteers working on preparedness activities.
- Serves as a subject matter expert for DFS leadership and staff during incidents.
- Helps coordinate shelter operations and other mass care functions in line with county objectives.
- Participates in drills and activations and recommend changes based on lessons learned.
On-Call & Schedule- May occasionally work outside standard business hours to support facility and emergency needs.
- Serves on the DFS Emergency On-Call Phone Team in two-week rotations, responding 24/7 to emergency issues involving mass care, emergency assistance, housing, and human services.
- Must remain within 90 minutes’ travel distance to Fairfax County while on call.
Who You Are
You are someone who:- Has experience in emergency management, ideally in government, human services, public health, or a related field.
- Can turn emergency management principles into clear plans, practical trainings, and coordinated operations.
- Communicates effectively with front-line staff, partners, and leadership, and builds strong relationships.
- Stays calm under pressure and keeps people and equity at the center of your decisions.
If you want your emergency management skills to directly protect and improve the lives of children, adults, and families—and to know your work truly matters when it counts—we invite you to apply for the Emergency Preparedness Manager position with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services.
Notes:
Telework policy: Fairfax County’s current telework policy allows employees to telework up to 60% of the weekly working schedule. For this position, that generally equates to a maximum of 3 days a week of remote work and at least 2 days a week in the office at the Pennino Building in Fairfax, VA.
Salary: The salary offer will not exceed the mid-point of the salary range $110,679.92 (Annual rate).Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Agency: Family Services
Location: PENNINO BUILDING, 12011 GOVERNMENT CENTER PKWY, FAIRFAX (EJ27)