NorthCARES Network Director

The NorthCARES Network Director provides strategic leadership, organizational development, and regional coordination to strengthen the long-term sustainability of independent Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations throughout north central South Dakota. Working collaboratively with the NorthCARES Leadership Council and participating EMS agencies, the Director translates regional priorities into initiatives that strengthen workforce capacity, organizational leadership, financial sustainability, shared resources, quality improvement, and access to high-quality emergency medical services across rural, frontier, and Tribal communities.

The Director serves as a trusted resource and facilitator, identifying opportunities for collaboration, connecting organizations with expertise, advancing innovative solutions, and developing sustainable funding strategies. NorthCARES strengthens existing organizations rather than centralizing operations; participating agencies retain their own governance, clinical authority, staffing decisions, and community identity.

Employed by Mobridge Regional Hospital & Clinics (MRH&C), the Director reports administratively to its CEO and works under the strategic direction of the NorthCARES Leadership Council. The Director chairs Council meetings as a non-voting member and implements Council-approved initiatives. Performance evaluation incorporates input from both MRH&C and the Council.

and Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & NorthCARES Governance Facilitate the representative NorthCARES Leadership Council, including meeting preparation, non-voting chair responsibilities, follow-up, and communication among member agencies. Lead implementation of Council-approved strategic priorities, annual work plans, regional initiatives, and budget recommendations while respecting each agency’s independence.

Build consensus across participating EMS agencies, hospitals, Tribal governments, dispatch centers, emergency management, public safety, education, and state partners. Coordinate regional strategic planning and maintain records, policies, reports, and committee activities necessary for effective network governance. Organizational Development & EMS Sustainability Facilitate agency-specific strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) assessments and help agencies identify locally relevant priorities.

Connect agencies with support for governance, leadership development, succession planning, human resources, strategic planning, and organizational best practices. Identify and share successful local approaches, adaptable templates, and technical assistance without imposing uniform operational practices. Explore regional response models, shared staffing arrangements, community-based initiatives, and service diversification when supported by participating agencies.

Education, Workforce Development & Shared Resources Coordinate continuing education, locally delivered training, simulation exercises, and EMS recruitment and retention initiatives. Support K–12 EMS career exploration and school-to-career pathways, including CERT, EMR, EMT, AEMT, and other appropriate educational opportunities. Expand Train-the-Trainer opportunities; maintain a regional instructor directory and coordinate training needs with qualified instructors.

Manage and improve access to the existing Traveling Training Equipment Program and related shared educational resources. Coordinate enhancements to NorthCARES.org, including training calendars, shared-resource information, organizational templates, and other member resources. Financial Sustainability & Resource Development Lead evaluation of sustainable funding models for NorthCARES and participating agencies, including cost sharing, philanthropy, earned revenue, and other appropriate sources.

Coordinate exploration of billing optimization, shared purchasing, administrative efficiencies, alternative reimbursement opportunities, and financially sustainable service models. Work with the Leadership Council and appropriate specialists to develop fundraising and long-term endowment strategies. Develop practical business cases and evaluation measures to assess the costs, benefits, and continuation potential of regional initiatives.

Program Implementation & Grant Accountability Coordinate implementation of approved grant activities and work collaboratively with MRH&C’s Grant Administrator, finance team, and state partners on documentation, reporting, compliance, and procurement. Support Leadership Council oversight of the Regional Innovation Fund and Regional Participation Support Fund, including approved application, selection, monitoring, and reporting processes.

Coordinate participating-agency projects, external consultants, shared resources, and implementation plans; maintain clear accountability for deliverables and expenditures. Research additional funding opportunities and assist participating agencies with appropriate grant development and implementation. Quality Improvement, Regional Coordination & Innovation Help agencies access available EMS performance data and dashboards, identify agency-selected improvement priorities, and connect with qualified clinical quality improvement expertise.

Facilitate data-informed improvement planning and progress monitoring while preserving local clinical oversight and complementing statewide QI initiatives. Coordinate regional innovation and shared-resource opportunities, including partner-led communications interoperability, dispatch, GIS, and technology initiatives when requested and approved. Support regional emergency preparedness, disaster exercises, mutual-aid relationships, and operational collaboration with appropriate public safety partners.

Explore opportunities for shared clinical experience, including a potential regional PRN workforce model, subject to applicable credentialing, insurance, employment, and operational requirements. Stakeholder Relations & Communications Serve as a primary liaison to participating EMS services, Tribal governments, hospitals, public health agencies, schools, air medical providers, dispatch centers, fire departments, law enforcement, emergency managers, and the South Dakota Department of Health.

Communicate NorthCARES priorities, results, and opportunities through presentations, member updates, reports, and community outreach. Build trusted, respectful partnerships and facilitate voluntary collaboration across organizations with diverse needs and resources.

Associate degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience. Five years of progressively responsible experience in EMS, rural healthcare, emergency management, public safety, or a closely related field. Three years of demonstrated supervisory, organizational leadership, or complex project management experience.

Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative initiatives, build trust across organizations, communicate effectively, and manage multiple priorities. Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the region.

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Emergency Management, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, or a related field. Current South Dakota EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic certification; experience leading rural or volunteer EMS organizations. Experience with nonprofit or collaborative governance, strategic planning, grant administration, budgets, fundraising, or organizational development.

Experience with rural and Tribal communities, workforce development, shared-service models, quality improvement, or EMS system design. Incident Command System (ICS) training and familiarity with emergency communications, CAD, GIS, and radio interoperability. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of rural EMS operations and sustainability challenges, healthcare and public safety systems, applicable state and federal requirements, emergency preparedness, and quality improvement.

Strong strategic thinking, financial and organizational judgment, relationship-building, consensus development, facilitation, teaching, analytical, presentation, and written communication skills. Ability to lead through influence rather than direct authority; work independently; coordinate consultants and technical experts; and translate regional priorities into measurable results. Physical and Work Requirements Frequent travel throughout the region; occasional evening and weekend meetings; occasional participation in emergency preparedness activities and regional disaster coordination.

Combination of office and field work, with occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform

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