Emergency Services Manager

Full Job Description

About Seattle Center:

Seattle Center is the region's premier civic, arts and family gathering place in the core of our city and region, home to more than 30 arts, cultural, and entertainment organizations, family attractions, and tourist amenities.

Our mission is to create exceptional events, experiences, and environments that delight and inspire the human spirit to build stronger communities.

Seattle Center expanded its role recently beyond our well-known 74-acre campus, to serve as the City’s lead department for operating Seattle’s new Waterfront Park, a series of public spaces on Seattle’s downtown waterfront between Pioneer Square and the Seattle Aquarium totaling 20-acres.

As a department of the City of Seattle, the Seattle Center campus and Waterfront Park contribute to the quality of life for Seattle residents—and the region's economy and image as its top visitor destinations.

About this position:

Seattle Center is seeking an experienced Emergency Services Manager.

This position oversees Seattle Center’s Emergency Services Unit (ESU), which provides public safety and security services to the Seattle Center campus and Waterfront Park.

This unit places a strong emphasis on providing excellent customer service as they work to ensure a safe, welcoming environment for all our guests.

The position oversees an approximately $5 million annual budget, manages two supervising officers (one located at the Seattle Center campus, and one located at Waterfront Park), and a staff of 40 people, working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on multiple shifts.

The position recommends and implements policy and procedures for public safety and security operations, working closely with the department’s executive team, to help ensure we comply with City ordinances and laws and collective bargaining agreements.

The position oversees a training program for ESU officers, providing timely instruction and continuing education.

The position reviews data on current trends in equipment and methods pertaining to security operations, law enforcement, and public safety and applies the data to the work of the ESU Unit.

In addition to overseeing day-to-day ESU operations, this position leads the department’s Emergency Management Team (EMT) made up of several Seattle Center team members (non-direct reports), including our campus and operations managers and other key staff, and is the point person for all Seattle Center Emergency Management initiatives.

The EMT provides strategic short-term and long-term planning for Seattle Center, and collaboration with City of Seattle departments, alongside state, local and federal emergency response organizations.

The EMT develops policies, procedures, training, and recommendations that ensure the department is prepared for emergency incidents (e.g.

earthquakes, severe weather, large-scale incidents, active shooter, vehicle attacks), both in terms of continuity of operations as well as readiness to provide sheltering and other support activities to our community.

This position reports to the Director of Campus Operations.

Requirements

Public Safety, Emergency Management/Response, and Policy Oversight

• Oversee security operations: review, develop, recommend, and implement policies and procedures that enhance security operations.
• Develop and conduct periodic security inspections of facilities, assets, and documentation to ensure that ESU staff are properly trained and knowledgeable of current policies, laws, and their authority as ESU officers, and ensure proper public safety and security measures are employed.
• Oversee life safety systems protecting all Seattle Center property, including evacuation and emergency response plans for all structures.
• Prepare, develop, and implement emergency preparedness plans, policies, and training that integrate with the City’s overall response program and promote ongoing response readiness.
• Lead the Seattle Center Emergency Management Team (EMT) for emergency response and continuity of day-to-day department operations.
• Engage withthe City’sEmergencyOperationsCenter during activations.
• Represent Seattle Center at the Citywide Safety Officers Meeting.
• Oversee the Seattle Center lock and key program.

Strategic Leadership and Relationship Management

• Responsible for communications among staff, partners, and stakeholders to ensure a unified, clear understanding of issues, policies, laws, projects, and roles and responsibilities for ESU staff.
• Through subordinate supervisors, oversee the work of 40 ESU officers and staff located at both the Seattle Center campus and Waterfront Park locations.
• Maintain strong working relationships with Seattle Center employees, Labor Unions, City of Seattle Departments including the City Law Department, Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Office of Emergency Management, Seattle Community Assisted Response and Engagements Department, Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies, Public Health, Human Services, American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army.
• Work with Seattle Center campus and waterfront partner organizations to maintain and enhance organizational and stakeholder relationships focused on public safety and emergency response.
• Provide planning support for major events and coordinate with a wide variety of stakeholders, governmental agencies, including coordinating with Federal, State, and Local law enforcement and command personnel to ensure guest and public safety.
• Partner with campus and waterfront colleagues, leaders, and stakeholders to promote a united, safe, and secure campus and waterfront experience.

Financial and Budget Management

Responsible for the financial and budget management of a $5 million annual ESU budget, predominantly composed of staff labor costs and effective work scheduling, as well as the ordering and inventory management of personal protective equipment, vehicles, and work unit supplies.

This position also partners with the Waterfront Operations Manager on the financial budget for the Waterfront Park team.

Note: This job posting is not designed to cover or contain the complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change as conditions require.

Qualifications

You will be ready to lead in this role if you have:

• A passion for serving diverse communities and a strong sense of community connection.
• Strong operational and public safety experience including working at public facing facilities and public spaces that include public and commercial programs and events.
• Excellent leadership and analytical problem-solving skills. The ability to recognize problems and assess situations, to gather relevant information from a variety of sources, and to take appropriate action.
• Experience with de-escalation, trauma informed care, and/or restorative practices including working with a diverse workforce and vulnerable populations.
• Change management skills and experience.
• Experience providing effective supervision and leadership of staff and security activities, recruiting, providing performance feedback and mentorship, training, assigning work and reviewing work quality.

You will be best equipped to handle this role if you have:

• General knowledge of and experience with public safety laws, free speech / free expression rights and practices, and workplace, emergency management, and security laws and rule enforcement
• Hands-on experience with or can obtain Incident Command Systems (ICS) emergency response standards, processes, and methodology training.
• Proven ability to recognize and assess situations, exercise judgment, discretion and handle demeanor while taking appropriate actions in handling security situations in a public service environment.
• Ability to plan your own work and that of others and to prioritize and coordinate a variety of tasks and functions.
• Ability to effectively use interpersonal and written communication with staff, police, partners, stakeholders, and the public.
• Ability to work constructively as part of a management team and in a work environment which values collaboration and problem solving amongst many teams.
• Professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to properly use applicable technology and job-related software applications including the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint) to support planning, reporting, tracking, and decision-making.
• Ability to navigate dynamic, fast-paced environments with flexibility, problem-solving skills, and sound judgment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications (or a combination of education, training or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the job):

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible operational and professional experience in leading and training personnel in the fields of site security and management, emergency management, public safety, and developing and implementing security policies and procedures.

OR

• A 4-year degree in business, police science, public administration or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience is required. (2 or more years of progressively responsible experience is equivalent to a 4-year degree)

and;

• 3 years progressively responsible operational and professional experience in leading and training personnel in the fields of site security and management, emergency management, public safety, and developing and implementing security policies and procedures.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work is predominantly performed in an office environment, with some work, in particular engagement with ESU officers, businesses and stakeholders performed throughout the Seattle Center campus and Waterfront Park.

Hybrid work arrangements will be considered up to a maximum of 2 days/week, at the discretion of the department. In-person work will be required.

Depending on the severity of the emergency, the ESU Manager may be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to support and or respond to emergencies.

The Emergency Services Manager will spend time at both the campus and waterfront offices/locations, including working alongside the various work shifts, as they build rapport with staff, various stakeholders, and community and City department representatives.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS:

• Inspirational: builds, inspires, and develops teams through periods of change and growth.
• Communicative: listens actively and offers clear, inclusive, and candid feedback.
• Fair: proven track record of handling often complex, multi-faceted employee or public issues in an equitable manner.
• Approachable: remains hands-on and readily steps in to support the team when needed.
• Visionary: balances forward-thinking strategies with practical operational detail.
• Collaborative: creates strong relationships and unites diverse stakeholders.
• Diplomatic: works empathetically and effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Goal-Oriented: manages policies, budgets, and finances skillfully and prudently.
• Community-Focused: champions public safety, stakeholder and visitor experience, and partnership and advances the mission of Seattle Center.
• Results and solutions oriented.

TOP PRIORITIES:

• Manage staff – valuing diversity, building team skills and cohesion, supporting staff development, and setting performance expectations and holding self and staff accountable for team goals.
• Conflict resolution – working through a variety of challenging issues in a way that is respectful and thoughtful of future collaboration.
• Establish strong, trusting relationships with tenants, business owners, stakeholders, city officials, civic partners, unions, and staff.
• Listen to, understand, and respond to the needs and motivations of all stakeholders.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities for ESU unit policy revisions.
• Consistently uphold safety, equity, accessibility, and sustainability standards.

License, Certification, and Other Requirements:

• Possess a valid driver’s license and have a good driving record. Ability to drive a City of Seattle vehicle to various work locations.
• ICS 100, 200, and 700 certifications obtained within 120 days of hire (training provided/paid by the City of Seattle)

Additional Information

This position is classified as a Manager 2, Courts, Legal, & Public Safety.

The full salary range for this position is $56.57 - $84.88 per hour.

How to Apply:

This posting will be open until it is filled. First review will be on February 20, 2026.

You must submit the following items to be considered for this position:

1. NEOGOV online application.
2. Supplemental questionnaire responses.
3. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.
4. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications, including:
   • What do you enjoy most about leading security operations, public safety, and emergency response efforts?
   • What interests you most about Seattle Center and this opportunity to be the Emergency Services Manager?

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To align with our commitment to equity and the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative, Seattle Center is collecting cover letters and resumes without personal identifiers to achieve a blind screening process.

Driving Record - A current, "FULL" driving abstract from the Department of Licensing submitted upon offer of employment.

Candidates with driving history that does not meet our current safety standards will be disqualified from consideration.

Current City of Seattle Employees in a driving position may be required to submit an updated abstract.

Background Check - This position involves background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Why work at the City?

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism.

Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same.

To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in dismantling racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and create and provide equitable processes and services.

Seattle Office of Civil Rights)

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members

For helpful tips on the application process and recruitment process: Working at the City - Human Resources | seattle.gov