Emergency Services Program Manager - Fire

Salary Range

8,092.00 - 12,138.00

Job Summary

At the Vancouver Fire Department, every employee plays a vital role in supporting our mission to preserve life, protect property, and ensure a safe, prepared community. Whether serving on the front lines or behind the scenes, we work together to provide exceptional public safety services through collaboration, innovation, and community partnership. Guided by our values of Service, Engagement, Respect, Integrity, Excellence, and Safety, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees can thrive. If you are looking for meaningful work that directly supports the safety and success of our community, we invite you to join our team.

Funded by Clark County Fire District #5, this three-year limited-duration position supports implementation of the Vancouver Fire Department's Strategic Plan.
The successful candidate will contribute to key initiatives that enhance public safety services, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and improve service delivery throughout our community. Continuation beyond the three-year funding period is not guaranteed and is contingent upon available funding.

We’re currently recruiting for an Emergency Services Program Manager. The primary responsibilities for the job are to provide high-level administrative and operational support to the Fire Chief and VFD executive leadership. Responsible for assisting in the development and maintenance of operational policies and manuals, supporting emergency preparedness and homeland security initiatives, and assisting with large-scale incident planning and training coordination.

This is a full-time, regular, exempt position. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm. This position is governed by the Civil Service Rules.

Non-Union Pay Strategy
At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to paying our employees fairly, equitably, and competitively. City salaries are structured so that the midpoint of the salary range approximates the amount typically paid for the job in this geographic area. Candidates with experience supporting their ability to come in and hit the ground running may receive a starting salary around the midpoint of the listed salary range. Actual salary at offer is influenced by a host of factors, including a candidate’s relevant experience, education, licensure, certifications, and internal equity. The higher end of the listed pay range indicates the salary growth potential of the position.

Job Details

Essential Functions:

• Coordinate the completion and maintenance of a comprehensive standards of coverage document to optimize resource distribution, concentration, and reliability.                                          
• In collaboration with stakeholders, develop and implement a comprehensive continuity of operations plan, ensuring continued mission critical functions during large scale emergencies and disruptions. 
• Assist in the development of comprehensive operational manuals. (e.g. High rise, Hazerdous Materials, Wildland Urban Interface, Mass Casualty, Active Threat, Rapid Intervention Procedures, Disaster Response, Marine/Shipboard, etc.).
• Coordinate information sharing and integrated planning with regional law enforcement partners to support homeland security initiatives.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

Experience: 

• Five (5) years, public safety operations, emergency management, interagency coordination

Education: 

• Bachelor's Degree  in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Fire Science, Criminal Justice, or related field.

*Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills

• Intermediate

Knowledge

• Deep understanding of emergency preparedness, continuity of operations, and incident planning.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills for internal and external messaging.
• Hazard identification, risk assessment, and vulnerability analysis

• Pertinent federal, state and local laws that pertain to: emergency management
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment

• Use of personal computers and basic software

Abilities

• Translate regulatory requirements and best practices into actionable policies
• Coordinate integrated planning and information sharing with regional law enforcement and homeland security partners
• Develop operational manuals and standards-of-coverage documents

• Operate a personal computer and appropriate software
• Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver’s Operating Principles
• Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees
• Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work
• Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others
• Consistently provide quality service

• Maintain regular and dependable attendance
• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
• Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
• Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
• Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.

This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check and background check.

Selection Process:

Application Review : Candidates will be evaluated based on the content of their application and those deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Assessment (Pass/Fail): This recruitment MAY require online assessments which will be job related and may include, but not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.

Oral Interview (Pass/Fail based on 70%): Questions will be job related and may include but not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement. Minimum passing score of 70% is required. The oral board will consist of a three to five member interview panel who will ask the same position-related, pre-established written questions of all candidates. The panelists' evaluations will be combined resulting in candidate interview scores. Those passing with a 70% or higher will be placed on an eligibility list.

Final Interview: As positions become available up to the top three candidates from the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a final selection interview.

The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you’ll consider joining us on the journey!

Safety: The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans’ preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans’ preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email hrfront1@cityofvancouver.us 

Job Posting End Date

November 4, 2026