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Emergency Management Directors

SOC 11-9161.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers emergency management directors operating in county, regional, and state-level public safety contexts, spanning preparedness planning, active disaster response, interagency coordination, and organizational leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Emergency preparedness plans — review and organize under direct supervision to support plan maintenance activities in a local government office.
  2. Resource inventories and databases — update and verify under guidance to ensure current materials are accessible for emergency response teams.
  3. Stakeholder needs and capabilities — assist in gathering data through structured interviews with local school and hospital officials under supervisor direction.
  4. Emergency situation status reports — draft preliminary sections describing initial response observations under close review by senior directors.
  5. Standard operating procedures — follow established protocols during tabletop exercises and simulated emergency scenarios in a training environment.
  6. Geographic information system tools — input and retrieve location data under instruction to support situational awareness during preparedness planning.
  7. Written damage assessment forms — complete assigned portions of preliminary assessments under supervision following a declared emergency event.
  8. Interagency coordination meetings — attend and document key outcomes to support liaison activities between county departments and municipal partners.
  9. Project management software — use assigned modules to track task completion and deadlines within an emergency management planning team.
  10. Public safety regulations and government codes — read and summarize relevant sections to inform plan development under the guidance of experienced directors.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Emergency operations plans — develop draft components for specific hazard scenarios such as hurricanes or chemical spills with limited oversight from senior staff.
  2. Liaison relationships with municipalities and county departments — maintain through regular contact to facilitate coordinated planning and equipment-sharing agreements.
  3. Resource materials associated with preparedness plans — systematically update and version-control across multiple jurisdictions using database management tools.
  4. Status reports on disaster response and recovery — prepare complete documents including needs assessments and preliminary damage data for submission to state agencies.
  5. Tabletop and functional exercises — coordinate and facilitate in accordance with state and federal regulatory requirements to evaluate plan effectiveness.
  6. Evacuation and shelter activation decisions — implement established special needs plans and public shelter protocols under the authority of senior officials during declared events.
  7. Damage assessment findings — compile and analyze data collaboratively with municipal officials and emergency responders following disaster events.
  8. Interagency communication — coordinate personnel and equipment exchanges between local departments using established channels and telecommunication systems.
  9. Stakeholder capability assessments — conduct structured consultations with hospitals, schools, and government offices to identify gaps in emergency readiness.
  10. Geographic and mapping software — apply to produce situation maps that support operational planning and briefing materials for incident command teams.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Comprehensive emergency management plans — develop autonomously covering the full spectrum of natural, technological, and human-caused hazards for a county or regional jurisdiction.
  2. Multi-agency coordination — lead response activities including ordering evacuations, opening public shelters, and activating special needs programs during active emergency events.
  3. Stakeholder needs analysis — conduct advanced consultations with officials from diverse institutions to identify capability gaps and integrate findings into regional preparedness strategies.
  4. Disaster recovery status reports — author detailed assessments synthesizing response data, resource utilization, and preliminary damage estimates for elected officials and state partners.
  5. Plan evaluation programs — design, execute, and critically assess full-scale exercises in compliance with state and federal standards, incorporating after-action improvement cycles.
  6. Damage assessments — lead cross-functional teams in comprehensive post-disaster analysis, translating findings into actionable recovery recommendations for government leadership.
  7. Resource management systems — oversee and optimize all emergency preparedness databases and material inventories to ensure rapid deployment readiness across multiple agencies.
  8. Intergovernmental liaison networks — establish and sustain strategic relationships with municipalities, state agencies, and federal partners to strengthen coordinated response capacity.
  9. GIS and geospatial analysis tools — apply independently to develop predictive risk models and operational maps that inform command-level decision-making during emergencies.
  10. Complex non-routine incidents — apply advanced problem-solving and deductive reasoning to manage simultaneous multi-hazard events with limited information and high time pressure.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Regional emergency management strategy — set the long-term vision and policy direction for all-hazards preparedness across multiple jurisdictions, aligning programs with state and federal frameworks.
  2. Organizational resilience programs — lead the design and institutionalization of enterprise-wide emergency management systems that build sustained capability across public and private sector partners.
  3. Senior government officials and elected bodies — advise and persuade on emergency policy priorities, resource allocation, and legislative needs based on strategic risk assessments.
  4. Workforce development and training curricula — direct the creation and continuous improvement of instructional programs that build emergency management competency across regional teams and partner agencies.
  5. Inter-jurisdictional mutual aid agreements — negotiate and formalize at the executive level to ensure scalable personnel and equipment sharing during catastrophic events.
  6. After-action review processes — champion systematic organizational learning by institutionalizing improvement cycles following major incidents, exercises, and regulatory evaluations.
  7. Public communication strategies — lead the development of crisis communications frameworks that maintain public trust and convey accurate information through media and telecommunications channels.
  8. Emergency management innovation — evaluate and integrate emerging technologies including advanced GIS platforms, data analytics, and information security tools into operational doctrine.
  9. Budgetary and grant authority — direct multi-million-dollar emergency preparedness funding portfolios, securing federal and state grants and ensuring compliance with reporting obligations.
  10. Cross-sector coalitions — build and sustain executive-level partnerships with healthcare systems, transportation agencies, private industry, and nonprofits to create comprehensive community resilience networks.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted report drafting — uses an LLM to generate first-draft emergency situation status reports from bullet-point notes, then reviews and corrects factual accuracy before submission.
  2. Basic resource inventory queries — prompts an AI assistant to surface and organize resource material updates, reducing manual lookup time while the director confirms all entries against authoritative records.
Developing
  1. Stakeholder communication scaffolding — directs an AI tool to draft coordination messages to municipalities, county departments, and hospitals, then edits for jurisdictional accuracy and relationship context that automated systems cannot reliably supply Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Plan gap analysis — feeds existing emergency preparedness plans into an AI assistant to identify missing annexes or outdated procedures, then applies professional judgment to prioritize revisions Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Damage assessment summarization — delegates synthesis of raw field reports into preliminary damage assessment summaries to an AI assistant, retaining authority over the final narrative sent to officials.
Proficient
  1. Multi-agency needs modeling — orchestrates an AI tool to cross-reference capability inventories from schools, hospitals, and government entities, producing a consolidated gap matrix that informs mutual-aid negotiations WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Scenario briefing generation — directs an AI assistant to compile threat-specific scenario briefs from hazard databases and historical incident records, then critically evaluates assumptions before briefing elected officials Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Evacuation order decision support — uses an AI-generated population-movement and shelter-capacity analysis as one input among many when making time-critical evacuation decisions, maintaining sole human authority over the order itself Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Adaptive response workflow design — architects AI-assisted command-center workflows that route real-time sensor data, social-media monitoring, and agency status feeds through an LLM triage layer, while establishing human override protocols at every decision node WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Cross-jurisdiction interoperability leadership — leads regional working groups to standardize AI-tool inputs and outputs across neighboring emergency management offices, ensuring that AI-generated plans and resource requests are mutually interpretable without manual translation WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. AI governance and ethics oversight — defines organizational policy on acceptable AI use during declared emergencies, specifying which decision classes require unassisted human judgment and auditing AI outputs for bias that could disadvantage special-needs populations Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Service Orientation
Score: 57.3 / 100
precision: category_estimate
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication11 statements
Emerging
  1. Situation report drafting — prepares basic emergency status summaries using agency templates during low-complexity incidents Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stakeholder notification — delivers initial alerts to internal team members using established communication protocols O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Interagency briefing — presents response and recovery updates to municipal and county partners using clear, structured formats during exercises and activations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Public information messaging — drafts press releases and public advisories describing evacuation orders and shelter locations for media distribution O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Regulatory reporting — writes preliminary damage assessment reports for state and federal submission following declared emergencies O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multi-agency coordination communication — conveys real-time operational priorities across hospitals, schools, and government entities during active disaster response Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Executive-level briefing — delivers concise, evidence-based situation reports to elected officials and senior administrators under time-compressed conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Crisis media communication — conducts press conferences and media interviews, translating technical emergency data into clear public guidance O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Regional communication framework leadership — designs and implements jurisdiction-wide communication protocols that integrate telecommunications, media, and interagency channels across all hazard scenarios Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. After-action communication — authors comprehensive after-action reports and improvement plans that communicate systemic findings to state, federal, and community stakeholders O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Communication mentorship — coaches subordinate emergency managers and public information officers in crisis communication strategy and message discipline Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership11 statements
Emerging
  1. Emergency operations center participation — supports senior directors by tracking assigned resources and reporting status updates during tabletop exercises Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Plan maintenance ownership — takes responsibility for updating designated sections of emergency preparedness plans according to scheduled review cycles O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Incident team direction — assigns tasks and monitors performance of response personnel during limited-scope activations such as weather events or localized hazmat incidents Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interagency liaison development — initiates and maintains working relationships with county departments and municipal partners to build cooperative response capacity O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Exercise leadership — leads design and facilitation of functional drills that test specific emergency plan components for department staff O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Full-scale activation command — directs all phases of disaster response operations including evacuation orders, shelter activation, and resource deployment across multiple agencies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Special needs program oversight — leads development and implementation of plans addressing vulnerable populations during emergencies, coordinating across health, social service, and transportation partners O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Departmental strategic leadership — establishes annual preparedness priorities, allocates resources, and holds program staff accountable for measurable outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Regional emergency management leadership — guides multi-jurisdictional preparedness coalitions, aligning diverse governmental and private-sector entities around shared response frameworks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Leadership pipeline development — mentors emerging emergency management professionals through structured coaching, stretch assignments, and formal succession planning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Policy and legislative influence — represents the jurisdiction before state and federal bodies, shaping emergency management law, funding priorities, and regulatory standards O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Self-assessment in exercises — identifies personal knowledge gaps in hazard-specific response protocols after participating in tabletop drills and seeks targeted learning resources Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning plan initiation — documents professional development goals aligned with emergency management certification requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Decision reflection — reviews personal incident command decisions after activations, identifying where situational awareness or information processing fell short Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Training strategy adjustment — modifies personal study approach for complex regulatory frameworks such as NIMS and ICS based on ongoing self-evaluation of comprehension Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Cognitive bias monitoring — recognizes and corrects confirmation bias and overconfidence during high-stakes disaster decision-making, adjusting assessments as new data emerges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Preparedness knowledge auditing — systematically evaluates own mastery of current hazard science, legal authorities, and interoperability standards to direct continuous learning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational metacognitive culture — embeds structured after-action reflection and improvement planning into departmental practice, prompting collective self-evaluation across the emergency management team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive expertise modeling — demonstrates explicit awareness of the limits of established plans under novel threat conditions, guiding teams to recognize when standard frameworks require re-evaluation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking10 statements
Emerging
  1. Hazard identification analysis — evaluates basic community vulnerability data to identify probable threats during introductory hazard mitigation planning assignments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Plan gap recognition — reads existing emergency operations plans and identifies sections that lack specificity or contradict current regulations O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Damage assessment analysis — examines post-disaster field data from multiple sources to produce preliminary damage assessments, distinguishing confirmed facts from estimates O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Resource gap evaluation — analyzes jurisdiction capabilities against identified hazard scenarios to surface critical shortfalls in personnel, equipment, and mutual aid agreements O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Regulatory compliance reasoning — interprets federal and state emergency management statutes to determine how legal requirements apply to jurisdiction-specific plan development O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multi-hazard scenario analysis — evaluates complex, cascading disaster scenarios by weighing competing institutional needs, resource constraints, and life-safety priorities to inform evacuation and shelter decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interagency needs assessment — synthesizes capability data from hospitals, schools, and municipal departments to identify systemic gaps and prioritize coordinated preparedness investments O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Exercise evaluation — critically analyzes drill outcomes against measurable objectives, distinguishing performance failures due to plan deficiency from those caused by training or resource gaps Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Strategic threat horizon analysis — applies rigorous analytical frameworks to emerging threats such as cyber-physical infrastructure attacks or climate-driven compound disasters, challenging existing plan assumptions before consensus forms Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Evidence-based policy critique — evaluates proposed emergency management regulations and resource allocation models for logical soundness and unintended operational consequences, providing authoritative recommendations to legislative bodies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration10 statements
Emerging
  1. Interagency meeting participation — contributes assigned topic areas in planning meetings with county and municipal partners, demonstrating respect for differing agency perspectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Internal team coordination — shares resource and status information with colleagues within the emergency management department to support plan maintenance activities O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Mutual aid relationship building — works jointly with neighboring jurisdictions to develop reciprocal personnel and equipment sharing agreements, navigating differing organizational priorities O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Multi-sector planning collaboration — co-develops emergency operations plan annexes with hospital, school, and utility representatives, integrating their operational constraints into shared procedures O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Exercise co-facilitation — partners with state emergency management agency staff to design and deliver multi-agency functional exercises, coordinating logistics and scenario injects O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Unified command integration — functions effectively within unified command structures during declared disasters, aligning departmental objectives with those of law enforcement, fire, and public health partners Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Private-sector partnership management — engages business, utility, and nonprofit partners in collaborative continuity planning, reconciling public safety mandates with private operational interests O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Damage assessment team coordination — leads collaborative field assessment teams composed of personnel from multiple agencies, ensuring consistent methodology and shared situational awareness O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Regional coalition governance — convenes and sustains multi-jurisdictional emergency management coalitions, designing governance structures that distribute decision-making authority and sustain long-term collaborative commitment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-sector collaboration modeling — mentors other emergency managers in facilitation techniques that bridge cultural and organizational differences across public, private, and nonprofit partners Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Ethical information handling — reports accurate resource availability and capability data to supervisors and partners without exaggeration, even when the truth reflects departmental limitations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional accountability — acknowledges personal errors in plan drafts or exercise performance and takes corrective action without deflecting responsibility Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Equity-centered planning — ensures that emergency preparedness plans include specific provisions for underserved and special-needs populations, reflecting a commitment to equitable public safety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Transparent stakeholder engagement — discloses known jurisdictional limitations in capability assessments shared with municipal and county partners, enabling realistic collaborative planning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Public trust stewardship — maintains consistent, honest public communication during disasters, issuing corrections to earlier guidance promptly and without self-protective delay Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Ethical resource allocation — makes transparent, defensible decisions about resource deployment during multi-incident events, documenting rationale to withstand public and regulatory scrutiny Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Regulatory integrity — ensures all emergency management plans and exercises comply fully with state and federal requirements, refusing to certify inadequate documentation O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational integrity culture — establishes departmental norms of candor, accountability, and ethical decision-making through policy, modeling, and direct feedback that persist beyond individual incidents Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Public-interest advocacy — advocates for vulnerable community members in resource prioritization debates with elected officials and agency heads, accepting professional risk to uphold life-safety principles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity8 statements
Emerging
  1. Alternative scenario brainstorming — generates multiple plausible disaster scenarios beyond historical precedent during initial hazard identification workshops to stress-test planning assumptions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Resource improvisation — proposes unconventional uses for available equipment and facilities when standard response resources are unavailable during tabletop exercises Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Novel training design — develops exercise injects and simulation scenarios that present responders with unanticipated complications, moving beyond scripted drill formats Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive plan development — creates flexible plan annexes that anticipate resource shortfalls and incorporate decision branches for multiple hazard progressions rather than single-path procedures O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Innovative interagency coordination mechanisms — designs non-traditional liaison structures such as embedded liaisons, shared digital platforms, or joint operations centers that improve real-time coordination across organizational boundaries Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Improvised response solutions — develops workable resource-sharing and operational workarounds during active disaster response when pre-planned logistics fail, maintaining mission continuity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Preparedness program reinvention — redesigns jurisdiction-wide emergency management programs by incorporating emerging technologies, behavioral science, and community co-design methods to achieve breakthrough improvements in public resilience Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-sector innovation leadership — convenes diverse stakeholders to prototype and pilot novel preparedness approaches, institutionalizing a culture of experimentation and evidence-based iteration within the emergency management community Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset8 statements
Emerging
  1. After-action learning engagement — participates actively in post-exercise debriefs, recording corrective actions and committing to specific plan or skill improvements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Certification pursuit — enrolls in FEMA professional development courses and emergency management certification programs to close identified competency gaps Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Feedback integration — incorporates critical feedback from state evaluators and peer jurisdictions about plan deficiencies into revised emergency operations plan documents Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Novel hazard learning — proactively studies emerging threat categories such as cyber infrastructure attacks or pandemic variants and integrates new knowledge into existing preparedness frameworks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Setback recovery in operations — reframes failed resource requests or coordination breakdowns during declared disasters as diagnostic data, adjusting strategy and maintaining operational momentum Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Continuous improvement program management — leads formal improvement planning cycles following exercises and real activations, tracking corrective actions to verified closure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Learning organization development — builds departmental systems including structured debriefs, knowledge repositories, and peer learning networks that institutionalize continuous improvement beyond individual effort Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Resilience modeling under adversity — demonstrates and publicly narrates a growth orientation when facing high-profile response failures, transforming organizational setbacks into shared learning opportunities that improve regional preparedness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness8 statements
Emerging
  1. Stress recognition during activations — identifies personal physiological and cognitive stress signals during simulated emergency operations and applies basic grounding techniques to maintain task focus Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Deliberate communication pacing — pauses before responding to urgent interagency requests during exercises to ensure accuracy over speed Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Attention management during multi-incident events — maintains structured priority tracking and delegates secondary tasks to preserve focused decision-making capacity when simultaneous emergency demands compete Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional regulation in stakeholder conflict — manages frustration and maintains professional composure when partner agencies resist coordination requests during tense preparedness negotiations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Intentional decision pacing — applies deliberate pause-and-assess discipline before issuing evacuation orders or activating emergency declarations, ensuring situational awareness is adequate relative to available time Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Operational fatigue management — monitors personal and team cognitive fatigue during extended activations and implements structured rest rotations to sustain sound judgment over multi-day incidents Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational mindfulness culture — embeds intentional communication protocols, structured decision checkpoints, and fatigue management policies into emergency operations center procedures that sustain collective attentiveness across all staff Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Crisis presence under extreme pressure — maintains calm, grounded executive presence and models deliberate information processing for the entire incident team during catastrophic, high-visibility disaster events Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude8 statements
Emerging
  1. Sustained preparedness effort — maintains consistent progress on long-cycle plan development tasks through periods of low organizational urgency and competing administrative demands Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Difficult conversation engagement — initiates conversations with reluctant partner agencies about capability gaps and mutual aid obligations despite anticipated resistance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ambiguity tolerance in novel hazards — continues planning and decision-making under conditions of incomplete information about emerging threats such as novel pathogens or unprecedented weather events Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Bureaucratic persistence — pursues multi-year funding applications, regulatory approvals, and interagency agreements through repeated delays and setbacks without abandoning preparedness objectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Extended incident endurance — sustains effective command and coordination across multi-day disaster activations involving physical exhaustion, resource scarcity, and escalating public pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. High-stakes decision courage — issues evacuation orders and activates emergency declarations under conditions of public and political resistance when life-safety data supports action Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Catastrophic event leadership resilience — maintains strategic direction and team cohesion through catastrophic, jurisdiction-wide disasters involving mass casualties, infrastructure failure, and sustained media scrutiny over weeks or months Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Systemic change perseverance — sustains multi-year advocacy for fundamental improvements to regional emergency management capacity despite budget constraints, political opposition, and organizational inertia, achieving durable structural change Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
911 Communications Manager · Change Management Specialist · Civil Defense Director · Civil Preparedness Officer · Disaster Response Director · Emergency Management Coordinator · Emergency Management Director · Emergency Management Planner · Emergency Management Program Manager · Emergency Management System Director (EMS Director) · Emergency Manager · Emergency Planner
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Service OrientationSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingCoordinationLearning StrategiesInstructingTime ManagementActive LearningPersuasionSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesNegotiationOperations AnalysisMathematics
Knowledge domains
Public Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaEnglish LanguageTelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingComputers and ElectronicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesTransportationGeographyAdministrative
Abilities
Deductive ReasoningOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionSpeech ClarityWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionInductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityInformation OrderingFluency of Ideas
Work styles
Stress ToleranceDependabilityIntegrityAdaptabilityLeadership OrientationSelf-Control
Technology
Project management softwareDesktop publishing softwareMap creation softwareData base user interface and query softwareGeographic information systemGraphics or photo imaging softwareElectronic mail softwareTransaction security and virus protection softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. 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.
  2. Develop and maintain liaisons with municipalities, county departments, and similar entities to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and exchanges of personnel and equipment.
  3. Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations, opening public shelters, and implementing special needs plans and programs.
  4. Prepare emergency situation status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs, and preliminary damage assessments.
  5. Maintain and update all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness plans.
  6. 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.
  7. Develop and perform tests and evaluations of emergency management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations.
  8. Collaborate with other officials to prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies.
CIP education codes
43.011943.012043.030143.030243.030343.030461.0603

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.