Deputy Director Of Preparedness - Emergency Management & Regional Security - Cooks County Government

Cook County's Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security is

seeking a Deputy Director of Preparedness to join our team.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition

of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly

45% of Illinois' population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital

services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the

region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is

committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that

public service has to offer.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for

career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in

the public sphere, including:

Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental

Plans, Vision Plan and 7 Additional voluntary benefit plans

Flexible Teleworking Options

Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of

10 vacation days annually; Up to 4 personal days annually; and Paid sick

leave)

Pension Plan

Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending

Accounts - Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking,

PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend

Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee

Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

Please review carefully the Employee Benefits page. For benefits questions contact

Risk Management at 312-603-6385 or email risk.mgmt@cookcountyil.gov.

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY:

Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs

o 2nd largest county in America

o Larger than 27 states

Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.

o Nearly 80% unionized workforce

o 15 unions represented

o 63 separate collective bargaining agreements

Highway - Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.

Land - Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and

distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.

Safety - Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas

to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

LOCATION:

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area

has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps

away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced

by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking

garages for motorist, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclist.

ROLE SUMMARY

This position reports to the Chief Deputy Director and is responsible for the development and implementation of the

Department's preparedness program aimed at creating a state of readiness within County government, County

employees, local municipalities, businesses, and residents to respond to a disaster, crisis, or any other emergency. Builds

the Department's preparedness capability in conjunction with its training and exercise staff. Sets performance metrics,

evaluates productivity, and helps subordinates create long-term preparedness plans. Responsible for establishing, in

conjunction with federal, state, and local partners, targeted, flexible, and cost- effective outreach programs and related

initiatives that are both approved by DEMRS executive management and aimed at developing and growing the planning,

preparedness, readiness, and awareness throughout Cook County. Manages and supervises the Chief of Planning, Public

Information Officer and Planning and Preparedness Managers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Responsible for the long-range planning of the Department's preparedness program aimed at County government,

County employees, local municipalities, businesses, and residents.

In conjunction with relevant Department staff, creates, implements, oversees, and evaluates the effectiveness of

DEMRS' planning, preparedness, and readiness activities to meet the Department's strategic priorities.

Collaborates with DEMRS leadership to (1) define strategic preparedness goals and (2) determine which Departmental

preparedness policies, practices and procedures should be prioritized for engagement, review, and update/change.

Oversees development of a Resident Preparedness program, including furtherance of the existing See Something Say

Something campaign and both the development of original public awareness and preparedness materials and

dissemination of same on radio, television, and web platforms.

Oversees Department's internal and external planning efforts, including creation of County Emergency Operations Plan,

the Threat Hazard Identification Risk Assessment, Stakeholder Preparedness Review, Continuity of Operations planning,

Continuity of Government planning, and Recovery planning.

Works with the Director of Finance to propose preparedness/marketing budgets and forecast costs for Executive

Management review and approval; manages approved budgets; and identifies cost-effective methods to deliver

relevant solutions.

Identifies business continuity planning resources and works with Department staff to provide preparedness services to

the County's business sector.

Oversees efforts to craft public messaging regarding Department mission and activities; conceptualizes Department

web presence in conjunction with executive staff and public information officer, to enhance awareness of same.

Serves as Department point of contact with County Public Safety Consortium, Bureaus, Departments, and separately

elected officials for preparedness activities including employee life safety training and related planning and exercises.

Oversees the assessment of County-wide civilian emergency response team (CERT) readiness and response capabilities;

identifies gaps in CERT coverage; and works with internal and external partners to build CERT capacity County-wide.

In conjunction with Training and Exercise staff, oversees the creation of a training program for County Public Information

Officers on Emergency/Crisis Communications to ensure a consistent level of proficiency, understanding and readiness

throughout County government.

In conjunction with relevant Department staff, creates, implements, oversees, and evaluates the effectiveness of the

Cook County Recovery Framework wherein, County, State, Federal and local resources are marshalled to assist local

communities in recovering from critical incidents.

Always develops and maintains knowledge in relevant field.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Comprehensive knowledge in job related functional area. Proven ability to identify key issues and to carry forward an

idea or project from conception to execution.

Knowledge of state, county, and local communication plans.

Strong organizational skills and demonstrated capacity to develop and implement practical strategies, plans, and

solutions to identified issues and problems.

Superior critical thinking skills, including the capacity to identify and appropriately assess and order competing interests

and priorities. First rate verbal and written (technical and narrative) communication skills.

Excellent diplomacy skills and ability to converse easily with prominent and significant leaders in the Public Sector.

Track record of taking initiative in managing competing organizational and departmental priorities and to work

effectively under pressure when facing extremely short deadlines.

Exceptional research, writing, analytical and organizational skills, and the ability to convey complex concepts in a clear,

concise, and logical manner.

Strong business acumen, project management skills and metrics, successful teaming with colleagues, and a strong

results orientation.

Demonstrated ability to craft policy and procedure to reflect strategic goals and priorities.

Good judgment, discretion, tact, and the ability to work easily with senior leaders within the government, and business

sectors.

Proven ability to assimilate information gathered through research and consultations, to apply that information in

creative and cross-cutting ways, and to synthesize appropriate strategies and responses.

Ability to partner well with colleagues both in and outside of the organization.

Proven ability to align strategic and operational needs with outreach programs and organizational effectiveness efforts.

Proven leadership with ability to clearly communicate ideas and proposals to all levels, develop trust and influence as

a senior thought leader with a broad relationship base.

Demonstrated ability to provide practical, solution-driven initiatives that are perceived as quickly adding value to the

Department.

Proven ability to manage and supervise cadre of subordinates, including field staff.

Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.

Eight (8) years of work experience in the development and implementation of preparedness/readiness programs and

strategic planning.

Must meet all training obligations imposed by DEMRS, Cook County and Granting Agencies within one year of hire.

Valid driver's license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience with not-for-profit or governmental organization in a preparedness outreach capacity.

Experience with IPAWS, WEA or other mass notification platforms.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Sedentary Work

Light Work involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or a negligible

amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Even though the weight lifted may be

only a negligible amount, a job/occupation is rated Light Work when it requires: (1) walking or standing to a significant

degree; (2) sitting most of the time while pushing or pulling arm or leg controls; or (3) working at a production rate pace

while constantly pushing or pulling materials even though the weight of the materials is negligible.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a

complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily

outside an employee's normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

POST OFFER TESTING: This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a

background check, drug screen and medical examination.

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY: Pursuant to Executive Order 2021-1 and Cook County's Mandatory COVID-19

Vaccination Policy, the selected candidate will be required to either submit proof of full vaccination or a request for

reasonable accommodation prior to the start of employment. Please click the following hyperlinks for the full text of

Executive Order 2021-1 and the Cook County's Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County's career service rules, is at-will and political reasons

or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if

you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency

within Cook County.