Director of Emergency Management at University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma

Job Description:

Job Details

Job Location: Main Campus - Edmond, OK

Position Type: Staff

Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $75,000.00 Salary/year

Job Category: OTRS Classified

Position Classification

Regular, full-time, salaried, exempt and benefit-eligible staff position. For more benefit information visit Why Work at UCO?

General Schedule

Position typically works Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm in-office at UCO's main campus in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Must be available to respond outside of normal working hours on an on-call basis.

Position Overview

The Director of Emergency Management is responsible for leading and coordinating all aspects of the institution's emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts. This role involves developing and maintaining comprehensive emergency management plans, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Director will work closely with university leadership, public safety, facilities, and other key stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that enhance the university's ability to effectively respond to emergencies and maintain a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Job Duties

• Develop and Implement Emergency Plans: Create, review, and update comprehensive emergency management plans, including response protocols for natural disasters, health emergencies, active shooter situations, and other campus crises.

• Coordinate Disaster and Emergency Response: Lead the university's response to disasters and emergencies, coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as internal departments. May, depending on circumstances, acts as Incident Commander, or other appropriate position in a crisis.

• Risk Assessment: Conduct regular assessments of potential risks to the campus community, implementing strategies to mitigate these risks.


• Training and Drills: Design and conduct training programs and emergency drills for faculty, staff, and students to ensure preparedness across the university. Organizes and implements training for Campus Community Emergency Response Team program and federal Incident Command System training.


• Crisis Communication: Develop and manage crisis communication strategies, including emergency notification systems and media relations during an incident.


• Compliance: Ensure the university's emergency management practices comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and best practices.

• Resource Management: Oversee the allocation and readiness of emergency resources, including supplies, equipment, and personnel. Works directly with State Risk Management and FEMA, as appropriate, for claims management to ensure timely reimbursements and partners with UCO Risk Management personnel as needed to complete these duties.


• Responsible for compiling the annual Clery report


• Provides direct supervision to the supervisor of the UCO Police Communications Unit. Provides leadership and support to this function as is necessary to ensure effective 24/7 routine and emergency communication operations. As part of these duties, must have knowledge of all Police Service and UCO communication tools and systems and ensure that subordinate staff members are trained in their use


• May be responsible for law enforcement duties


• May be responsible for Life Safety System management

Qualifications/Experience Required

Bachelor's degree in job related field plus 7+ years of work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Requires work experience with leading, planning, including program development and innovation, program prioritization, and assessment. Extensive knowledge and comprehensive understanding of functional area. Appropriate professional accomplishments and credentials.

Must have a valid Oklahoma Driver's License.

Qualifications/Experience Preferred

Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field. Strongly preferred: Master's degree. A minimum of 7 years of experience in emergency management, law enforcement, or a related field, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. Must possess or attain appropriate training/certification through Department of Homeland Security (NRP, NIMS, ICS, etc.), Certified police officer in the state of Oklahoma.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong leadership and organizational abilities.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


• The ability to remain calm and make critical decisions under pressure.


• The ability to defuse potentially volatile situations and mediate conflicts, especially in high-stress emergency and/or law enforcement scenarios.


• Proficiency in emergency management software and law enforcement tools.


• Working knowledge of grant application processes with FEMA and other governmental or private grantors.


• An understanding of campus-specific safety issues, such as active shooter protocols, large event management, and student mental health crisis response.


• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines related to emergency management and disaster mitigation.


• The ability to explain complex technical issues and procedures in non-technical terms when required.


• The ability to make ethical decisions, balancing the safety of individuals with the broader interests of the university.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions

This position requires a physical. The physical requirements are:

• Ability to lift 50 lbs. regularly and 75 lbs. occasionally.


• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and carry 200 feet.


• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and carry up/down 30 stairs.


• Ability to walk regularly for long periods of time across the campus.


• Ability to sit for long periods of time.


• Ability to use and reach with hands and arms regularly.


• Ability to climb in high places using a ladder or balance frequently.


• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, bend and crawl occasionally.


• Ability to push or pull dolly loaded with up to 120 pounds for 300 feet occasionally.


• Must have close, distance, and peripheral vision.


• Depth perception and ability to adjust focus.


• Pass PFT (pulmonary function test)