The Foraker Group

Job Summary

Job Description

Position Profile

Executive Director | Southeast Region Emergency Medical Services Council (SEREMS) | Sitka, Alaska

The Position: Executive Director

SEREMS seeks a collaborative and experienced leader with a practical understanding of rural emergency medical services (EMS) to serve as its next executive director. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrable record of increasing organizational capacity through strong management, community relationship-building skills, and experience diversifying and expanding revenue streams. SEREMS’ new executive director will lead the organization into its next phase of growth by working with the board of directors to build a thriving network of community resources to strengthen support for southeast Alaska EMS providers.

The Organization

Established and supported by Alaska state statue (18.08.01) in 1977, SEREMS has been serving Southeast Alaska’s EMS community for more than 40 years, providing vital support to first responders, medical facilities, and rural communities. A 501(c)(3) founded to strengthen emergency care in some of the most remote areas of the state, SEREMS works closely with ambulance services, fire departments, hospitals, and volunteer responders to ensure they have the training, equipment, and resources they need.

SEREMS’ 19-member board includes dedicated seats for representatives from regional hospitals, prehospital providers, and the medical community. A small team of dedicated staff work diligently to administer programs serving around 500 responders and volunteers each year, who in turn are serving Southeast Alaska communities from 50 - 30,000 people. SEREMS’ $700,000 budget is comprised of approximately 75% government funding/grants and 25% earned revenue.

Services and Program

• Training Center: SEREMS coordinates and provides instructors for American Heart Association training programs and state EMS certification and education.  
• EMS News: SEREMS shares EMS resources and news with EMS providers within the region.
• ETT Program/Resources: SEREMS develops and manages a proprietary prehospital first responder training program called the Emergency Trauma Technician (ETT), with both an online and in person curriculum. SEREMS supports ETT students and instructors throughout the ETT learning cycle.
• EMS Store: ETT training materials and bulk supplies can be purchased directly from SEREMS. SEREMS also assists fire and emergency response departments with the purchase of supplies and capital equipment.
• Annual Symposium: SEREMS proudly hosts an Annual EMS Symposium in Southeast Alaska offering training and workshops. It’s a unique opportunity for EMS providers to refresh their skills, complete continuing medical education (CME) requirements, and connect with peers from across the region.

Strategic Priorities

SEREMS aspires to design a new strategic plan in the spring of 2026 in collaboration with the incoming executive director. In lieu of that plan, the SEREMS executive committee has identified the following short- and long-term priorities for the organization until the strategic plan can be finalized. The executive director will work to implement these long- and short-term goals and will partner with the board to assess and revise these priorities as needed to ensure their relevance.

Short-term Priorities

The incoming leader will focus on the following priorities over the next twelve to eighteen months.

• Establish strategic direction: As mentioned above, SEREMS hopes to develop a new strategic plan in the spring of 2026. The next executive director will work with the board to build strategic priorities to guide future organizational growth.
• Foster financial stability: Assess and strengthen SEREMS overall business model with an eye towards maintaining financial sustainability.
• Expand external relationships and cultivate trust: Connect with SEREMS partners, supported communities, and other stakeholders throughout the 33 distinct communities of Southeast Alaska. Continue building partnerships within these communities by demonstrating SEREMS’s enduring commitment to rural EMS.
• Broadening internal alignment between board and staff: SEREMS’ previous ED passed away unexpectedly and the organization is still working through the impact of losing a beloved and long-term leader. The new executive director will work with the staff and board to rebuild internal relationships and help the organization begin “pulling in the same direction” again after this impactful community loss.
• Evaluate impact: Work with the communities of Southeast AK to evaluate, support and expand a thorough needs and impact assessment and address the question: “What SEREMS services are currently utilized and what new services may be needed to address community needs?

Long-term Priorities

• Strengthen SEREMS’ financial capacity to support long term impact: Continue to build and expand SEREMS’ economic engine and business model, including exploration of new grants, funding streams , and advocacy for increased state support to ensure that SEREMS can strengthen EMS across Southeast Alaska.
• Position SEREMS as a vital and responsive resource within the region: Southeast Alaska is made up of many small distinct communities and SEREMS’ mission is to support EMS in each of these communities. The next executive director will continue to build a network of support, consistent communication, and iterative program design to ensure that each community is being served and that SEREMS’ program offerings meet the needs of SEREMS stakeholders.
• Showcase SEREMS’ services and impact: The next executive director will work to showcase how community utilization of SEREMS programs and services can increase the quality of rural EMS throughout the region and demonstrate the value of rural EMS to community health.

The Leadership Opportunity

The next executive director of SEREMS has the opportunity to make a profound impact on every community in Southeast Alaska. This position will be rooted in meaningful relationship building, actively learning from and collaborating with EMS leaders throughout the region. While navigating the complexities of regional needs and resources can be challenging, their influence will also be visible and impactful . By offering highly needed and deeply valued services, the next ED will directly contribute to enhanced medical care, stronger EMS response, and an improved quality of life for everyone in Southeast Alaska.

Key Responsibilities

The Executive Director is the internal driver and external face of SEREMS and oversees its day-to-day affairs. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Management of daily operations of SEREMS (including regular in-person presence in the SEREMS office in Sitka, Alaska);
• Working with the Board of Directors and committees in developing the strategic direction, financial and program goals, and key performance indicators in alignment with SEREMS’ mission, vision, & goals;
• Responsibility for recruitment, hiring, retention and supervision of staff as well as outsourced contract labor; evaluating staff on a regular basis using a consistent and fair evaluation tool and maintaining personnel records;
• Expanding and maintaining a consistent network of relationships with volunteer responders, ambulance services, fire departments, and hospitals across Southeast Alaska;
• Advocating for the needs of rural EMS providers across the region;
• Promoting public awareness of emergency medical services and community health initiatives throughout the Southeast region;
• Guiding and promoting community EMS planning and support in accordance with state, regional, and local EMS goals.
• Maintaining lead staff role in regional EMS systems development activities
• Seeking funding for regional EMS needs; sources include local, state, and federal grants, project income and donations.
• Maintaining accountability for spending of Council funds through sound fiscal management practices.
• Lead initiatives that align with statewide objectives. Partner with the State EMS Unit and other regional councils to develop, implement, and accomplish shared goals across Alaska’s EMS system.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

While no single candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences:

• A strong relationship builder capable of fostering trust and collaboration across EMS, fire, healthcare, tribal, and rural communities.
• A minimum of five years of leadership and management experience; nonprofit management experience preferred.
• A community outreach champion who can maintain and support a strong regional network to understand and meet local EMS needs.
• A proactive decision maker who can respond to emerging needs in Southeast Alaska with innovative and community-oriented solutions.
• A deep understanding of Southeast Alaska’s geography, culture, and healthcare landscape, especially as it relates to emergency medical services.
• Experience and acumen in diversifying revenue, marketing and/or fundraising.
• Knowledge of basic accounting, budgeting, HR functions, and contract negotiations.
• Comfort with regular travel and weekend/evening work as necessitated by duties

Application Process

The salary range is $90,000 to $110,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. SEREMS provides competitive benefits including employer-paid health care benefits (with vision and dental), 5% retirement match, and a generous PTO policy.  Please note: the SEREMS Executive Director must reside within the Southeast Alaska region. To apply, email your credentials to serems@ForakerGroup.org.  Applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing interest and qualifications.  For questions, contact Ryan Smith, Lead Recruiter: serems@ForakerGroup.org.  Communications will be treated in confidence. Deadline for application submissions is January 28, 2026. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Resume reviews begin immediately. Candidates will participate in a multi-step interview process.

SEREMS is an equal opportunity employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender identity, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.