Division Leader, Emergency Services

The expected hiring range for this position is:

$139,800.00-$212,950.00.

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:

Under limited direction, the Division Leader, Emergency Services provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and long‑term planning for the Emergency Services Division within the Security and Emergency Management Directorate (SEMD). This role is responsible for directing and integrating the Fire and Emergency Management Departments. The Division Leader drives emergency preparedness, emergency response, emergency recovery, risk assessments and planning, collaboration and communication with internal and external stakeholders.

What your day-to-day as a Division Leader, Emergency Services at Fermilab will look like:

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Develops and executes a division-level strategic and business plan for the Emergency Services Division in alignment with SEMD and Laboratory priorities.
• Partners with the Senior Director, SEMD to define critical outcomes and implement major initiatives and key actions supporting the Laboratory agenda.
•  Establishes long-term goals, operating frameworks, and performance metrics to ensure reliable, efficient, and mission-aligned SEMD operations.
• Translates institutional strategy into actionable and practical emergency management workflows and programs.
• Champions and implements directorate and Laboratory culture change initiatives within the Division.
• Integrates activities vertically within SEMD and horizontally across the Laboratory to ensure coordinated execution of strategic and operational objectives.

Program and Project Delivery

• Ensures reliable delivery of essential emergency communication, medical, and personnel and public safety.
• Oversees the on-site Fire Department, Emergency Management Department, and Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP
• Guides teams in a safe and efficient crises resolution by maintaining composure under pressure, communicating clearly, and team collaboration.
• Develops and maintains emergency operation plans, training exercises, interagency relationships, warning and alert systems, hazard mitigation strategy, records and documentation, and personnel awareness programs. 
• Leads the implementation and continuous improvement of operational readiness strategies such as Emergency Operations Plans and Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP).
• Ensures operational readiness through effective planning, scheduling, procurement coordination, and adherence to industry best practices.

People and Organizational Leadership

• Exercises full authority over division personnel actions including hiring decisions, promotions, performance evaluations, professional development, disciplinary actions, and terminations for both union and non-union staff. Attracts, develops and retains human capital to sustain division capability.
• Leads all aspects of workforce management, including recruitment, hiring, performance management, training, and employee development.
• Fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture focused on safety, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Develops and retains a skilled workforce capable of planning for, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from emergency events of varying scale and complexity. 
• Drives workforce planning and succession strategies to ensure long-term organizational capability.
• Models and reinforces Laboratory values, safety culture, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Financial and Operational Management

• Develops, manages, and monitors the Division’s annual operating budget, including staffing, maintenance funding, materials, and contracted services.
• Establishes financial strategies, forecasts, and cost controls.
• Allocates personnel and resources to optimize operational performance and meet mission priorities.
• Oversees procurement planning, resource utilization, and operational readiness activities across the Division.
• Ensures effective stewardship of emergency management facilities and systems.
• Identifies operational risks and infrastructure vulnerabilities, developing mitigation and investment strategies.

Sponsor and External Engagement

• Serves as a key representative for the Emergency Services Division in cross-laboratory and external initiatives, ensuring effective communication and coordination with stakeholders.
• Engages with internal and external partners, contractors, and service providers to support SEMD operations and programs.
• Ensures alignment with institutional requirements, regulatory expectations, and industry best practices in local, state, and federal emergency management requirements, incident command systems, emergency preparedness, disaster response, and continuity of operations planning. 
• Supports audits, reviews, and external engagements related to the Division.

Institutional Collaboration   

• Collaborates with peer Division Leaders and senior leadership to support Laboratory-wide initiatives and cross-functional programs.
• Ensures integration of Division activities with other directorates, scientific programs, and mission support functions.
• Contributes to institutional planning, strategy, and operational excellence initiatives beyond the Division.
• Promotes best practices in firefighting operations, emergency response, and emergency preparedness across the Laboratory.
• Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.

Minimum Required Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, fire administration, public safety administration, or any related field with a minimum of 10+ years of experience or equivalent. 
• Experience working with local and federal government agencies and law enforcement organizations.
• Experience managing incident response and recovery efforts.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to manage multi-disciplined operations.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Ability to make decisions quickly and confidently during a crisis situation
• Demonstrate ability to develop and implement regular emergency drills and exercises to test plan's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. 

Job descriptions are a general statement of duties and responsibilities.  The Laboratory may change the job duties and responsibilities at any time. The compensation department compares job descriptions to similar positions inside and outside the Laboratory to determine pay ranges.

Date Last Updated: April 2026

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.