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Position:
C.E.A. B, Southern Regional Administrator

Company:
Cal OES - Orange County, CA , USA

Job Category:
Executive Management

Job Description:

Join the leadership team of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) — the nation’s premier state-level emergency management and homeland security agency, charged with protecting the people of California from all threats and hazards. Cal OES employs over 1,700 dedicated individuals who achieve the agency’s mission through service to all. It is a dynamic, high energy work environment, where a team oriented approach to complex problem solving is encouraged and skills and leadership development of its employees is a priority.

If you are an experienced leader seeking a challenging and rewarding opportunity to strengthen public safety and emergency management across Southern California, we encourage you to apply for the Southern Regional Administrator position.

Position Summary

The Southern Division seeks an experienced emergency management leader to provide strategic, operational, and intergovernmental leadership across 11 operational county areas and more than 200 cities. The position plays a critical role in strengthening regional preparedness, response, recovery, continuity of operations, and mutual aid capabilities.


The Southern Regional Administrator leads regional emergency management programs and advances policies, plans, and operational frameworks aligned with state and federal requirements, FEMA standards, and regional needs. The incumbent also oversees the activation, staffing, and operational readiness of the Southern Regional Response Team, the CalOES Southern Region Campus and the alternate Emergency Operations Center in Southern California.


As a senior representative of Cal OES, the incumbent builds and maintains partnerships with local, state, federal, tribal, military, and other governmental organizations; provides guidance on emergency management policy, FEMA programs, mutual aid, and disaster recovery; and may serve as a Deputy State Coordinating Officer or Governor’s Authorized Representative at a Joint Field Office following a major disaster declaration.

 

The ideal candidate is an accomplished emergency management leader with:

  • Extensive emergency management experience spanning preparedness, response, recovery, continuity of operations, and disaster operations, including leadership of complex, multi-agency programs across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Strong strategic and policy expertise, including developing, implementing, and evaluating emergency management plans, procedures, and operational frameworks in alignment with state and federal requirements.
  • Operational expertise in Emergency Operations Centers, incident management, mutual aid, regional coordination, and emergency response readiness.
  • Knowledge of FEMA programs and disaster assistance, including applicable regulations, grant requirements, and recovery operations. Experience with declared disasters and emergency management grants is highly desirable.
  • Proven leadership and staff development skills, including building high-performing teams, managing performance, and supporting professional growth.
  • Exceptional judgment and analytical skills, with the ability to make timely decisions under pressure, manage competing priorities, and use exercises, after-action reviews, and operational data to drive continuous improvement.
  • Outstanding communication, collaboration, and relationship-management skills, including the ability to brief executive leaders and elected officials, develop actionable policy recommendations, negotiate effectively, and influence outcomes across organizational and jurisdictional boundaries.

 

When you join Southern Region, you join a family of professionals that function as a team. You will build trust and camaraderie with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. Cal OES provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with us!

Contact Information

Vanessa Lopez
Phone: 916-328-7881
Fax: NA
Talent@caloes.ca.gov
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