OVERVIEW
Becoming an Emergency Management Specialist
Emergency management specialists take on the vital role of coordinating and overseeing emergency response initiatives. They work with public officials, government agencies, and community members to create emergency plans, coordinate response teams, manage resources, and provide aid to affected individuals.
Learn about the skills, duties, and job outlook associated with the emergency management specialist role and discover how WGU's healthcare administration and business management programs can prepare you for this rewarding career.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities of an Emergency Management Specialist
The exact responsibilities an emergency management specialist performs can vary. Some of the fundamental job duties include the following:
Assessing risks. Emergency management specialists identify and evaluate potential risks that a community might face.
Working with agencies to plan specific emergency responses. Emergency management specialists collaborate with government agencies to develop emergency plans and procedures. .
Coordinating crisis management and disaster response. Emergency management specialists organize emergency response plans after natural disasters, public health emergencies, terrorist attacks, riots, and other crises.
Educating and training community members. Emergency management specialists often lead disaster preparedness workshops, drills, community meetings, and public awareness campaigns that provide safety tips and practical information about how to cope with an emergency.
Managing information flow. Emergency management specialists ensure that disaster responders, the public, and the media recieve accurate, timely updates regarding the crisis.
What Is an Emergency Management Specialist?
Emergency management is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of health and business management. Emergency management specialists organize, implement, and oversee emergency plans and procedures. They prepare for emergencies and develop tactics for mitigating the harm caused by catastrophic events. When a disaster does occur, emergency management specialists coordinate responder teams and direct aid to people in need of assistance.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
Education and Certification Requirements
Many people in emergency management roles have a bachelor’s degree in public health, public administration, emergency management, business management, or a related field.
WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration–Business Management program teaches you how to apply business management and organizational leadership strategies to real-world scenarios, which can prepare you for a career in emergency management.
Earning a master’s degree in a relevant field can give you a competitive edge and facilitate greater opportunities in advanced or specialized emergency management roles. Our Master of Business Administration program delves deeper into management strategies, problem-solving methodologies, leadership skills, financial management, and other key concepts.
Another possible route to an exciting career in emergency management is a healthcare administration degree. WGU offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration–Healthcare Management program focused on teaching leadership skills that can help you thrive in the healthcare field. If you want to further your understanding of essential leadership and business skills related to healthcare, consider obtaining a Master of Healthcare Administration degree. Getting your master’s degree can unlock opportunities for career advancement, such as jobs in upper management positions.
Where Do Emergency Management Specialists Work?
Emergency management specialists work in a range of industries and settings, including the following:
- Government agencies
- Private sector
- Military
- Nonprofit organizations
Best Degrees for a Emergency Management Specialist
Business
Business Management – B.S. Business Administration
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include:
- Business communication
- Product development
- Decision making models
- Project management strategies
- Budgeting for business
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
Business
MBA Healthcare Management
Prepare for a career leading private or public healthcare organizations....
Prepare for a career leading private or public healthcare organizations.
- Time: WGU lets you set a schedule so you can finish your MBA in just one year.
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Regulatory compliance
- Patient care improvement
- Service line development
- Healthcare trends
- Health policy and legislation
Healthcare is big business in today's complex economy. Steer your career with this specialty MBA.
Compare online business degrees
This program is not the only online business degree WGU offers that is designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Business
Master of Business Administration
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:
- Time: Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Leadership strategies
- Talent management
- Communication
- Data collection and interpretation
- Financial statements
Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
Business
Healthcare Administration – B.S.
You can become a healthcare industry leader:...
You can become a healthcare industry leader:
Compare with B.S. Health Information Management
- Time: 63% of graduates finish within 17 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Management
- Communication
- Team Leadership
- Operations
- Scheduling
- Strategic Planning
The online courses in this career-focused business degree program will prepare you with management-level skills and an up-to-date understanding of our healthcare delivery system.
How Much Does an Emergency Management Specialist Make?
$88,890
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the average annual salary for emergency management specialists is $88,890. The top 10% of emergency management specialists make an average of $147,870 a year.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
5%
Emergency management specialists perform an invaluable service during crises, and the need for their services is expected to increase. According to the BLS, the job outlook for emergency management specialists is anticipated to rise by 3% between 2022 and 2032.
SKILLS
Essential Skills for an Emergency Management Specialist
An emergency management specialist is responsible for many crucial issues, including disaster response planning, resource allocation, and the coordination of first responders. Some of the top skills needed for this position include the following:
Leadership: Emergency management specialists need excellent leadership skills to reduce panic and delegate responsibilties duirng a crisis.
Communication: Clear and effective communication is essential in an emergency management specialist position. Emergency management specialists are responsible for coordinating police departments, emergency medical and fire services, government agencies, volunteers, and other parties.
Problem-solving: Emergency management specialists often deal with unpredictable challenges and conflicting needs. They must be able to analyze complicated problems and make quick decisions about how to solve them.
Resource management: Emergency management specialists must decide how to prioirize needs and allocate resources to the individuals and organizations who need them the most.
Technical skills: Emergency management specialists use geographic information systems (GIS), information databases, emergency alert systems, weather monitoring tools, and resource management systems to guide emergency response efforts during a crisis.
Embarking on a Rewarding Career in Emergency Management
If you want a career that empowers you to make a profound difference in others’ lives, then the emergency management specialist career path might be right for you. WGU’s online bachelor’s and master’s degree can help you level up your skills in business management, leadership, communication, finance, technology, and much more. Our career-aligned degree programs are developed with input from leading industry professionals and employers so that courses give you the practical knowledge and skills you need to succeed.
Whether you are pursuing a new career or want to advance in your current role, WGU has a degree for you. Apply today!
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