CFChooseField
Management

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Emergency Management Directors
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Median pay

$86,130
Median annual pay for Emergency Management Directors.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

3%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,000
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

13,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Emergency Management Directors in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+400
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical additional preparation: 5 years or more of related work experience.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Public Safety and Security
  2. 2Administration and Management
  3. 3Law and Government
  4. 4Communications and Media
  5. 5English Language
  6. 6Customer and Personal Service

Abilities

  1. 1Deductive Reasoning
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Oral Expression
  4. 4Speech Clarity
  5. 5Inductive Reasoning
  6. 6Problem Sensitivity

Career interests

  1. 1Enterprising
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Realistic
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Stress Tolerance
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Adaptability
  5. 5Leadership Orientation
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  2. 2Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  3. 3Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  4. 4Getting Information
  5. 5Developing and Building Teams
  6. 6Working with Computers

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  6. 6Freedom to Make Decisions

Representative tasks

  • Consult with officials of local and area governments, schools, hospitals, and other institutions to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.
  • Develop and maintain liaisons with municipalities, county departments, and similar entities to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and exchanges of personnel and equipment.
  • Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations, opening public shelters, and implementing special needs plans and programs.
  • Prepare emergency situation status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs, and preliminary damage assessments.
  • Maintain and update all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness plans.
  • Prepare plans that outline operating procedures to be used in response to disasters or emergencies, such as hurricanes, nuclear accidents, and terrorist attacks, and in recovery from these events.
  • Develop and perform tests and evaluations of emergency management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations.
  • Collaborate with other officials to prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft PowerPoint · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandESRI ArcGIS software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft SharePoint · hot technologyStatistical softwareSoftRisk Technologies SoftRisk SQLRelational database softwareNational Center for Crisis and Continuity Coordination NC4 E TeamAlert Technologies OpsCenter

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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