Job Description

Critical Incident & Emergency Manager

Role Mission: The Critical Incident & Emergency Manager oversees various aspects of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery for the school district. This role involves developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive emergency management plans to ensure the safety and security of students, staff, visitors, and facilities. The manager provides direct support during crisis events and coordinates with internal and external partners to ensure effective response protocols are in place and practiced. This role reports to the Managing Director of Safety and Security.

Location: This is a full-time (remote/on-site) position based in Texas, with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations:

This role requires 30% travel to campuses across multiple regions.

What You'll Do Accountabilities

Essential Duties:

• Serve as the national manager for critical incidents and emergencies, providing direct guidance and oversight to national, regional and campus-level teams.
• Coordinate responses to large-scale or multi-campus emergencies, ensuring swift communication, resource allocation, and resolution with guidance from the Managing Director of Safety and Security.
• Support the Managing Director of Safety and Security in developing and executing national-level incident response plans, including immediate crisis containment, recovery, and after-action reviews.
• Manage emergency communication mechanisms ("Safety Chats") for assigned regions or campuses, offering guidance and support during campus crises, and coordinating with regional and national team members for assistance.
• During emergencies, coordinate with the district's communications team to ensure messages are distributed to families in multiple formats (e.g., text, email, social media) and languages as needed; help develop pre-approved messaging templates for various emergency scenarios to ensure that accurate, timely, and reassuring messages can be sent to parents and community members quickly.
• Compile post-incident reports that document response actions, recovery steps, and areas for improvement, and collaborate with the national Safety and Security team to update emergency response plans accordingly.
• Partner with Regional Operations, Facilities and Transportation teams to ensure campuses are prepared for weather-related hazards (e.g., stormproofing, flood prevention).

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support in developing and implementing protocols for weather-related school closures, evacuations, and shelter-in-place actions, in collaboration with national, regional and campus leaders.
• Provide real-time support and guidance to regional teams during weather emergencies, including monitoring conditions and coordinating resources.
• Use data from hazard assessments, safety audits, and incident reports to inform proactive strategies and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with regional Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) to develop tailored improvement plans aimed at reducing risks and enhancing preparedness for their region.
• Facilitate regular collaboration with law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services to ensure coordinated responses to incidents.
• Track and analyze emergency incidents to identify trends, improve response protocols, and inform future planning.
• Collaborate with the Asst. Director of Safety & Security in developing district wide safety and security training program.
• Maintain detailed records of incidents, response actions, and outcomes to support continuous improvement efforts and compliance with regulatory requirements.

What You Bring Competencies

Required experience:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Licenses or Certifications:
• ICS Incident Command System (100, 200, 700 and 800)
• Incident Command System Training 300, 400, G191, G402, and G2300 within 12 month
• NIMS- National Incident Management System
• CPI Crisis Prevention & Intervention Training
• CRASE Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events
• CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• First Aid
• STB Stop The Bleed
• BTA Behavioral Threat Assessment
• Certified Texas Emergency Manager, preferred
• At least 6 years of experience in education or emergency response.
• At least 4 years of experience in school/district leadership, school operations, and/or school safety-related role.
• At least 1 year of successful management experience.

Preferred education and experience:

Master's degree in relevant field preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Make Strategic Decisions: This individual can coach others in decision-making and is involved in complex decision-making in line with their responsibilities. They use feedback and data to inform their decisions and with support, they consider the broader impact of their choices on those they work with.

• Manage Work and Teams: This individual is responsible for managing their own work as well as supporting others. They focus on delegation, performance management, and coaching to help others achieve their work goals and develop professionally.

• Grow Self and Others: This individual takes an active role in their own development as well as the development of others. They use coaching techniques to help others identify growth opportunities, set development goals, and achieve their potential, all while continuing their own personal development journey.

• Build a Culture of Trust: This individual offers empathy and active listening to build deeper one-on-one relationships in their direct work with others. They are capable of coaching others and emphasizing importance of psychological safety in their interactions.

• Communicate Deliberately : This leader prioritizes open channels of communication on their team. They facilitate team meetings, ensure clear dissemination of information, and encourage feedback loops within their teams to promote understanding and cohesion.

Additional Skills:

Knowledge and expertise in school safety program initiatives and state compliance requirements.

Knowledge of standard methods and procedures of emergency and disaster operations

Knowledge of federal and state regulations governing emergency and disaster plans.

Knowledge and expertise in Microsoft Office 365, including SharePoint Lists, PowerApps, and Power Bi.

Skill in prioritization, attention to detail, critical-thinking and problem-solving.

Skill in effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing.

Able to manage and monitor multiple tasks at once, often under pressure with competing priorities and tight turnarounds while maintaining composure, ensuring quality, and achieving results.

Able to build strong relationships and mutually beneficial business partnerships through trust, empathy, and credibility.

Able to advocate, influence, motivate, and hold others accountable through consistency and clarity of expectations.

Able to provide, receive, and implement feedback that improves performance and achieves results.

Physical Requirements:

The ability to work in extreme weather

The ability to see and respond to dangerous situations

The ability to set up support stations for critical events (chairs, tables, signage)

The ability to help move non-compliant items during school visits (boxes, chairs, desks)

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $74,764 and $87,100, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA

At IDEA, the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values

IDEA Public Schools

Job Tags

Ongoing contract, Full time, Live in, Work at office, Immediate start, Remote work, Relocation, Flexible hours

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