Description
Assistant Director: Emergency Preparedness, Health & Safety
SALARY: $87,011.92 - $97,196.84
LOCATION: Lynnwood, Washington
DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Director of Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness (SSEP), the Assistant Director of Emergency Preparedness, Health & Safety serves as a member of the department's executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership for the College's emergency management, occupational health and safety, emergency communications, preparedness, business continuity, and regulatory compliance programs. Primary responsibilities include emergency planning, continuity of operations, emergency exercises, occupational health and safety, Clery program coordination, emergency notifications, and institutional resilience initiatives.
The Assistant Director participates in strategic planning, budgeting, policy development, emergency management, and organizational initiatives, serves as Acting Director when designated, and participates in the department's executive on-call rotation. The position works collaboratively with the Assistant Director of Security Operations to ensure continuity of operations, cross-functional leadership, and organizational resilience.
This is an exempt position reporting to the Director of SSEP.
Applications received by July 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after this deadline may not be reviewed unless a second round of review is deemed necessary. Position is opened until filled.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
Executive Leadership
Assist the Director in providing strategic leadership, organizational management, and operational oversight for the Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness Department.
Serve as a member of the department's executive leadership team by helping establish departmental vision, strategic priorities, annual goals, and performance measures.
Participate in executive decision-making involving staffing, budgeting, policy development, emergency management, regulatory compliance, technology planning, and long-range strategic initiatives.
Serve as Acting Director during planned or unplanned absences and participate in the department's executive on-call rotation.
Provide executive leadership during emergencies, critical incidents, major events, and emergency notification decision-making consistent with College policy and applicable law.
Serve as a trusted advisor to the Director while representing the department on institutional committees and maintaining collaborative relationships with campus and community partners.
Promote professionalism, accountability, ethical leadership, customer service, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the department.
Emergency Preparedness, Health & Safety Leadership
Provide executive leadership for the College's Emergency Management, Occupational Health & Safety, and Institutional Preparedness programs.
Direct the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), business continuity strategies, recovery planning, and emergency response procedures.
Coordinate campus-wide emergency planning, hazard and vulnerability assessments, emergency operations, preparedness initiatives, and institutional resilience efforts using NIMS and the Incident Command System (ICS).
Lead emergency preparedness training, emergency exercises, after-action reviews, corrective action planning, and campus-wide preparedness initiatives.
Provide executive oversight of occupational health and safety programs, including regulatory compliance, inspections, hazard assessments, accident investigations, and corrective action planning.
Coordinate compliance with OSHA, WISHA, fire code, environmental health, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
Clery Compliance & Emergency Communications
Coordinate the College's Clery compliance program on behalf of the Director/Clery Compliance Officer by managing daily program operations, coordinating data collection, facilitating training, monitoring regulatory compliance, and preparing recommendations for executive review and approval.
Coordinate preparation of the Annual Security Report, Annual Fire Safety Report, Daily Crime Log, Campus Security Authority (CSA) training program, and related compliance documentation.
Coordinate emergency notification planning, testing, emergency communications, crisis messaging, and recommendations regarding Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications.
Monitor regulatory changes and recommend policy, procedural, and program improvements supporting institutional compliance and organizational preparedness.
Department Leadership & Organizational Collaboration
Collaborate closely with the Assistant Director of Security Operations to integrate emergency preparedness, health and safety, Clery compliance, emergency communications, business continuity, and institutional preparedness with daily security operations.
Participate in emergency planning, emergency exercises, after-action reviews, corrective action planning, and continuous organizational improvement initiatives.
Assist in developing departmental policies, operating procedures, training programs, organizational standards, and performance expectations.
Participate in budget planning, procurement, technology initiatives, grant opportunities, and long-range strategic planning.
Promote collaborative relationships across the College and with external emergency management, public safety, health, and regulatory partners to strengthen institutional preparedness and campus resilience.
Leadership Continuity & Cross-Functional Support
Develop and maintain a functional understanding of the Assistant Director of Security Operations position to ensure continuity of operations during planned and unplanned absences.
Participate in cross-training, succession planning, and shared leadership responsibilities to strengthen organizational resilience and executive readiness.
Support departmental initiatives outside assigned program areas as operational needs require while fostering collaboration, continuity of operations, and mission success.
Professional Responsibilities
Maintain current knowledge of emergency management, occupational health and safety, Clery compliance, higher education, emergency communications, business continuity, and nationally recognized best practices.
Promote a service-oriented public safety philosophy that balances preparedness, prevention, education, compliance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Maintain required certifications, licenses, and continuing professional education appropriate to the position.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Associate degree from an accredited institution in Emergency Management, Occupational Health & Safety, Homeland Security, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Environmental Health & Safety, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of education, military service, professional certifications, specialized training, and progressively responsible professional experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
Experience
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in emergency management, occupational health and safety, higher education, homeland security, public safety, military, fire service, emergency medical services, law enforcement, or a related profession.
Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience with increasing responsibility for personnel leadership, organizational management, program administration, employee development, and performance management.
Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, evaluating, and continuously improving emergency management, health and safety, preparedness, regulatory compliance, or organizational resilience programs.
Demonstrated experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams, leading complex incidents, facilitating emergency planning efforts, and exercising sound independent judgment during emergency or rapidly evolving situations.
Experience preparing executive reports, presentations, policy recommendations, emergency plans, after-action reports, and professional written communications.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders while promoting professionalism, accountability, innovation, and organizational excellence.
Licenses & Certifications
Valid Washington State Driver License or the ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment.
Completion of FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 700, and 800, or ability to complete within six (6) months of employment.
Ability to successfully complete a criminal background investigation and maintain eligibility to operate College vehicles.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Emergency Management, Occupational Health & Safety, Homeland Security, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Environmental Health & Safety, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field.
Master's degree in a related discipline.
Experience working within higher education, community colleges, universities, healthcare, municipal government, emergency management agencies, or another complex public-sector organization.
Experience supervising employees within a collective bargaining or unionized environment.
Working knowledge of the Jeanne Clery Act, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), FERPA, Title IX, ADA, OSHA/WISHA regulations, National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), and other federal and state laws applicable to higher education.
Experience developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOP), Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), Business Continuity Plans, Hazard Vulnerability Assessments, emergency exercises, and corrective action programs.
Experience coordinating Clery compliance programs, Campus Security Authority (CSA) training, emergency notification systems, crisis communications, or emergency preparedness initiatives.
Experience managing budgets, procurement, contracts, grants, emergency management projects, or institutional strategic initiatives.
Professional certifications such as:
Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
Associate Emergency Manager (AEM)
Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)
Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
OSHA certifications
FEMA Professional Development Series
Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP)
Other relevant emergency management, health and safety, or public safety certifications.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Modern emergency management, organizational resilience, higher education administration, occupational health and safety, and public safety leadership principles.
FEMA, NIMS, ICS, emergency operations, business continuity, continuity of operations planning, disaster recovery, and hazard mitigation.
OSHA, WISHA, fire code, environmental health, emergency preparedness regulations, and other federal and state regulatory requirements.
Jeanne Clery Act compliance, emergency notification systems, crisis communications, behavioral threat assessment, and emergency planning principles.
Leadership principles including employee development, organizational effectiveness, customer service, performance management, succession planning, and continuous improvement.
Ability to:
Provide strategic leadership while effectively managing multiple institutional preparedness and safety programs.
Exercise sound judgment and make timely decisions during routine operations and emergency situations.
Develop collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, executive leadership, labor representatives, regulatory agencies, emergency responders, and community partners.
Communicate effectively through written reports, executive briefings, presentations, public speaking, emergency planning documents, and interpersonal communication.
Analyze organizational risks, regulatory requirements, operational data, and after-action findings to develop evidence-informed recommendations.
Lead organizational change while promoting accountability, professionalism, innovation, collaboration, preparedness, and continuous improvement.
Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop employees while fostering leadership development and succession planning.
Manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional customer service and organizational responsiveness.
Demonstrate integrity, professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when working with confidential or sensitive information.
Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and student success in all aspects of leadership and decision-making.
COMPENSATION:
Salary is $87,011.92 - $97,984.11 and is based on the Edmonds College administrative/exempt salary schedule, plus a full state benefits package, which includes tuition waivers for college classes, medical, dental, retirement options and more. Vacation and leave package includes 12 sick days per year, 11 scheduled holidays, 1 personal holiday, and 24 vacation leave days per year.
WORK SCHEDULE
This is a full-time exempt leadership position. The Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness Department provides services twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week. The Assistant Director is expected to maintain a flexible work schedule based upon operational needs and participate in the department's executive on-call rotation. Evening, weekend, holiday, and emergency response responsibilities are expected.
FLSA Status:
The position is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act requirements.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
You must document your citizenship or employment authorization within three days of hire.
Participate in the department's executive on-call rotation.
Respond to emergencies and critical incidents outside normal business hours as operational needs require.
Criminal background check. Prior to a new hire, a background investigation including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Abstract demonstrating a clean driving record.
All new positions are contingent upon funding.
At this time, Edmonds College does not sponsor H1-B Visas.
Complete, sign, and submit Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct
APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
All applicants must apply online. No paper submissions or emailed materials will be accepted. Your online application must include the following documents in order to be complete:
Responses to supplemental questions (part of the online application and used in the screening process). Please provide thorough responses. Yes/No or N/A answers will not be accepted. Questions are located below.
Current resume.
Cover Letter addressing your qualifications and interest
Names and contact information for three references.
For veterans’ preference, please scan and attach your DD214, Member-4 Form.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
1. Leadership Philosophy
Describe your leadership philosophy. How do you build trust, establish accountability, develop employees, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team while maintaining professional standards and operational excellence?
2. Emergency Management Leadership
Describe the most significant emergency, disaster, critical incident, or organizational challenge you have led. What was your role, how did you approach decision-making, how did you coordinate stakeholders, and what lessons did you apply to strengthen organizational preparedness?
3. Organizational Leadership and Continuous Improvement
Describe a significant emergency preparedness, occupational health and safety, regulatory compliance, or organizational improvement initiative you have led. How did you identify the need, gain stakeholder support, implement the change, and measure success?
4. Building Partnerships and Campus Resilience
Emergency preparedness requires collaboration across the institution and with external partners. Describe how you have built productive partnerships with internal stakeholders and external agencies to improve preparedness, compliance, resilience, or emergency response capabilities.
5. Technical and Professional Experience
Describe your experience with one or more of the following areas and explain how those experiences have prepared you to serve as Assistant Director of Emergency Preparedness, Health & Safety at Edmonds College:
Emergency Management
Occupational Health & Safety
OSHA/WISHA Compliance
Emergency Operations Planning
Business Continuity / Continuity of Operations
Jeanne Clery Act Compliance
Emergency Notification Systems
Emergency Exercises and Training
Behavioral Threat Assessment
Higher Education Emergency Preparedness
Important, if this position is posted on an external website other than www.edmonds.edu/hr or Edmonds College Job Opportunities page, please apply using one of those official links. Applications submitted through external websites will not be received in the College’s application system.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE:
Established in 1967, Edmonds College is a public community and technical college serving south Snohomish County. The college is guided by a mission centered on Teaching, Learning, and Community, with a strong commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community engagement. It serves about 18,000 students annually, including more than 800 international students from more than 55 countries. The college offers nearly 66 associate degrees and 111 professional certificates in 30 programs of study. Its highest enrolled programs are the Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degrees, Paralegal, Allied Health (pre-nursing degree), Business/Accounting, Construction Management, and Culinary Arts. The college is located in the center of the growing south Snohomish County communities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, and Woodway. For more information, visit www.edmonds.edu.
EEO/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT:
The college provides equal opportunity in education and in employment per state and federal law. The college prohibits discrimination against any person due to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (gender), disability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information. For questions about our nondiscrimination policy or gender equality and athletic teams, contact Kathy Smith (Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator/Investigator); Clearview Building, Room 122B; kathy.smith@edmonds.edu, 425.640.1814.
JEANNE CLERY STATEMENT:
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of Edmonds College’s commitment to safety and security on campus, the College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Edmonds College’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.edmonds.edu/student-services/campus-safety-and-emergency-preparedness/clery-act/default.html.
