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Custer County commissioners approve posting to recruit Emergency Management director after incumbent retires
Summary
The Custer County Board of County Commissioners approved a job description and recruitment plan May 20 to hire an Emergency Management director after the incumbent retires May 21; commissioners discussed the official title, a $65,187–$94,494 salary range, and whether the role includes direct supervisory authority.
Vice Chair Lucas F. announced the board would move forward with recruitment for the county's Emergency Management director position after the incumbent, Robin, retires May 21.
County staff presented a draft job description and said the county will post both an interim posting (to fill the role quickly) and a regular ongoing recruitment to allow a more thorough search for a long-term hire. Staff said the interim hire would maintain continuity of emergency-management services while the board conducts a full recruitment.
Bob, a county staff member leading the recruitment discussion, said the salary range for the position is $65,187 to $94,494 and that the posted salary for a successful candidate would depend on qualifications and experience. "The range is $65,187 to $94,494," Bob said.
Commissioners pressed staff on the official position title and whether the role included supervisory authority over paid county employees. One commissioner asked whether the title was "OEM director" or "Emergency Manager." Staff responded that the job description lists the title as Emergency Management Director and the board amended its motion to use that title.
On supervisory duties, staff said the position currently coordinates volunteers and manages multi-agency response activities from an incident command location, but it does not currently have line supervision of paid county employees. "They don't have direct employees now; they have volunteers," a staff member said. The job description language describes the position as an operational lead who manages incident coordination and requests supervisory assignments only when necessary.
Several commissioners expressed concern that limiting the description to coordination rather than supervision could make the job less attractive to candidates at the director level. "If I was interested and was at a director level, I'd be a little put back that it would look as if I didn't get any supervisory position," one commissioner said. Staff suggested minor wording changes could clarify operational supervisory responsibilities without implying direct personnel management of other county departments.
A motion to post the Emergency Management (OEM) recruitment and accept the job description as presented was moved and seconded; the board voted in favor (recorded in the transcript as Commissioners Paul and Lucas voting yes). The motion authorized immediate posting of the job announcement and recruitment materials using the Emergency Management Director title, effective May 20, 2026.
The board noted the interim posting is intended to prevent a gap in emergency-management coverage while allowing time for a more extensive search for a long-term director.
