With the announcement of Dave Clippert’s retirement as director of the Sedalia-Pettis County Emergency Management Agency, both the city and the county find themselves in a rather unique position.
Since the EMA director serves both entities, both Pettis County Presiding Commissioner David Dick and Sedalia Mayor Stephen Galliher both have a role in deciding who should fill the vacated position.
“Dave set the bar pretty high for the next director,” Dick said. “The level of professionalism and his attention to detail were incredible.
“He constantly prepares for a lot of things that we didn’t think about planning for,” he added. “He always paid attention to things beyond the weather in his role as EMA director.”
It is because of Clippert’s attention to detail that Galliher and Dick found it necessary to create an updated job description.
The basic job summary they developed is: “The position is responsible for managing, organizing and coordinating all emergency management activities relating to minimizing the effect of natural or man-made disasters upon the citizens of the City of Sedalia and the County of Pettis.
“Duties and responsibilities include developing, exercising, and implementing emergency response and recovery operation plans, conducting training and providing public preparedness information.”
There are a number of essential duties and responsibilities the next director will be responsible for.
Among those listed are maintaining a high level of social media activity to inform the public of impending severe weather, serving as the liaison between other Pettis County municipalities, county, state and federal agencies on emergency management matters, serving on a number of committees and boards, and maintaining the local public warning systems and operating the eight FEMA 361 Safe Rooms.
To help assist in the search, a committee comprised of Sedalia Police Chief John DeGonia, Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond, Sedalia Fire Chief Mike Ditzfield, Pettis County Fire Protection District Chief Mike Hargrave, and Pettis County 911 Coordinator James Thiesen has been appointed.
“Finding a replacement for Dave is really a team effort since it affects everybody,” Galliher said. “Dave set a high bar for his position. He’s second to none.”
Galliher said the county has already received 12 applicants for the position from all over the country.
All applicants for the position must have a minimum of two years’ experience in emergency preparedness, coordination and emergency plan development or emergency response.
It is preferred the candidates have 60 hours of college credit in progressive studies in the areas of Emergency Management Public Administration or a related field from an accredited college.
All applicants must be able to complete a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
A complete job description is available at www.cityofsedalia.com/jobs or www.pettiscomo.com.
One the committee has narrowed the field of applicants, the Sedalia City Council and county commissioners will jointly interview the candidates.
All applications for the position must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday, June 1. Resumes and all other information required should be submitted to the Personnel Office, City of Sedalia, 200 S. Osage Ave. Sedalia, Mo., 65301.
Additional information can be obtained by emailing jrice@cityofsedalia.com or by calling the personnel office at 660-827-3000.
Deputy EMA Director Mark Jackson will serve until a replacement is found.
“I don’t feel we could have asked for a better working relationship than we had with Dave,” Dick said. “He never left me uninformed and I felt I had a good understanding of a situation after speaking with him. Dave was always looking out for others.
“He loved this community and it showed,” Dick added. “I will hate to see him go.”
