Crisis managers or emergency managers work in civil, state and federal government to plan responses to natural and man-made disasters. Crisis managers coordinate with other local agencies to facilitate planning, preparedness and education.

Educational Requirements

Crisis managers must have a bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public safety or a related field for an entry-level job, and managers are usually required to have extensive experience. In some cases, a master’s degree will replace a portion of the required work experience.

Job Duties

Crisis managers coordinate with local government officials to prepare and plan responses to disasters. They consult with civic leaders and hospital officials to determine their needs and capabilities. Crisis managers develop, design and perform tests on emergency-preparedness plans. They inspect communication facilities, emergency-management centers, shelters and other emergency equipment to determine their functionality in a crisis. They prepare and administer public and private education programs for emergency preparedness. Crisis managers stay informed on all matters that could affect responses to emergencies, including things that could cause emergencies and those that could affect response time or equipment problems.

Advancement

Crisis managers have advancement opportunities with continued education and certification. Those with effective communication and teamwork skills have an advantage.

Potential Income

According to PayScale.com, the annual salary for an emergency management specialist is from $40,659 to $71,228, as of July 2010.