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Emergency Management Program Manager

Fermilab · Batavia, IL · $111,400–$146,600 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 12, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about an actual emergency activation you led or supported. What went well and what did you change after?

What they are checking: Whether they have real response experience and learn from it.

How would you build relationships with external partners like local fire, police and county emergency management?

What they are checking: Whether they can coordinate closely with outside agencies.

What would you do

A department leader thinks drills are a waste of time. How do you get their support?

What they are checking: Whether they can influence people to take preparedness seriously.

A severe storm is approaching on a weekend. What steps do you take?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead a practical, timely response.

About the work

Which DOE emergency management and continuity requirements have you worked under, and how did you keep a program compliant?

What they are checking: Whether they know the DOE framework this program must meet.

Walk me through how you would design and run a full-scale exercise at a large lab site.

What they are checking: Whether they can plan and run exercises that test real readiness, not just check a box.

How would you manage the laboratory Duty Officer program and on-call rotation so coverage never lapses?

What they are checking: Whether they can run a reliable off-hours response system, as the posting describes.

How do you track corrective actions from drills so they actually get closed?

What they are checking: Whether they follow through on lessons learned instead of filing reports.

How do you build a continuity plan for a research site with unique facilities and hazards?

What they are checking: Whether they can tailor continuity planning to a complex scientific environment.

How do you prepare the Emergency Operations Center so it works well when people are stressed?

What they are checking: Whether they understand EOC readiness, which the role leads.

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The full job description

As published by Fermilab.

The expected hiring range for this position is: $111,400.00-$146,600.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. About the Role: The Emergency Program Manager leads the Laboratory’s continuity, emergency preparedness, and emergency readiness assurance programs to ensure compliance with DOE and institutional requirements. Oversees continuity planning, manages critical program documentation, and directs readiness activities such as assessments, drills, exercises, and corrective action processes. Coordinates closely with internal and external partners to strengthen organizational preparedness and resilience. Leads Emergency Operations Center preparedness and response activities, including managing institutional emergency activations. The position includes managing the laboratory Duty Officer program and rotational on‑call responsibilities to support off‑hours emergency response needs. May supervise or lead project teams. What your day-to-day as the Emergency Management Program Manager at Fermilab will look like: Program Leadership and Compliance • Manages the Laboratory Duty Officer program to ensure a trained and approved cadre is designated and scheduled to provide 24/7, year‑round coverage and response to adverse events. • Leads and manages the Laboratory’s emergency management program, continuity, and readiness assurance programs in alignment with DOE directives, laboratory policies, and program requirements. • Provides guidance to organizations on continuity, emergency preparedness, and readiness assurance expectations. • May provide supervision or leadership of a team including hiring, promotions, performance reviews, training, disciplinary actions, team exits, and other duties as assigned. Emergency Operations and Institutional Response • Leads Emergency Operations Center preparedness and response activities. • Manages Laboratory Emergency Response Organization activations, exercises, and other institutional preparedness actions. • Participates as needed, in rotational on‑call duties and responds as required during evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and other off‑hours periods. • Continuity Planning and Documentation • Maintains continuity and emergency management documentation, including plans, procedures, and implementing guidance. • Oversees continuity planning activities, including continuity plan development, recovery planning, and identification of mission essential functions. Emergency Readiness Assurance and Performance Improvement • Plans and executes emergency readiness assurance activities, including program assessments, performance testing, drills, exercises, corrective action management, and continuous improvement initiatives. • Manages emergency readiness-related corrective action processes by tracking findings from assessments, inspections, drills, exercises, actual events, and oversight reviews, and ensures timely resolution. • Analyzes program performance data, identifies trends, and recommends improvements to strengthen organizational preparedness and resilience. Coordination and Collaboration • Coordinates with internal and external partners, including Security Operations, Protective Force, Fire Department, Environment, Safety and Health, Infrastructure Services, Facility Management, mission organizations, and DOE oversight personnel, to support preparedness, continuity, and program improvement objectives. Other Job Duties • Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. • Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position. Skills and Attributes for Success: • Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Homeland Security, or a related field with 7+ years of experience in emergency preparedness, continuity planning, contingency planning, security operations, or emergency management. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. • Experience with continuity planning, readiness assurance activities, and maintaining technical program documentation (plans, procedures, and reports). • U.S. citizenship required. Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: • Ability to develop and deliver training to all levels of the workforce on emergency management program elements. • Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local emergency preparedness laws, regulations, and directives (including DHS, FEMA, EPA, OSHA, and Homeland Security Presidential Directives), sufficient to manage complex emergency preparedness programs. • Ability to independently develop and maintain Emergency Planning Hazards Assessments (EPHAs), technical reports, and procedures for hazardous facilities using advanced hazard analysis methodologies. • Knowledge of program assessment processes, corrective action management, performance improvement, and continuous improvement principles. • Ability to respond during nights, weekends, holidays, and other off‑hours periods. Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: • Advanced knowledge of hazardous facility analysis and the ability to solve complex, not well‑defined technical problems using data driven approaches. • Familiarity with DOE O 151.1 (Comprehensive Emergency Management System), DOE O 150.1B (Continuity Programs), Integrated Preparedness Program concepts, and exercise design methodologies. • Familiarity with WebEOC or other crisis and disaster management systems. • National Incident Management System (NIMS) ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 certifications. • Professional certifications such as Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Associate Emergency Manager (AEM), Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), or similar. Work Arrangement: Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final. • Onsite : This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office. Benefits/Perks: Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including: • Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Accounts • Paid time off • Life insurance • Short and Long-term disability insurance • Retirement benefits • Onsite day care Why Fermilab: Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole. Pre-Employment Screening: Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug-free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening. HSPD-12 In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment. Foreign Government Sponsored Activities Fermilab employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab's Office of General Counsel. REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf . If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview. Equal Opportunity Statement Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

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