Emergency Management Specialist

About the role

This position is located at the Veterans Healthcare System in Baltimore, MD. The person in this position functions as the Emergency Management Specialist (EMS) Facility Assistant and is responsible for assisting the EMS in preparing for, carrying out, or coordinating emergency functions to prevent, protect from, mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.

Qualifications

Selective Placement Factor (Screen‑Out)

• A current, valid state driver’s license is required. (A copy of the license should not be submitted with the application; it will be verified at interview.)

GS‑11 Qualification Requirements (must meet one)

• Specialized Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑9 level in the Federal service. This experience must demonstrate application of laws, guidelines, and policies governing emergency management programs; use of data analytical and evaluation methods to determine program compliance; and working knowledge of emergency, contingency, and operations plans, policies, and directives to provide advice and assistance.
• Education: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education leading to such a degree. Transcripts required.
• Combination: Equivalent combinations of graduate education (above a master’s degree) and specialized experience as described above that meet the total requirements for the GS‑11 level. Transcripts required.

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of emergency management operations: serving as an Emergency Management Specialist Assistant supporting VAMC assessments, operations planning, liaison, mission activities, and functions.
• Assisting in the development and implementation of Emergency Management protocols and methods appropriate for EM operations.
• Tracking contingency supplies and equipment, maintaining databases and resource requirements.
• Working with the EM as secondary responsible party for deliberate planning, operations, and logistics.
• Providing support for the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) for drills, exercises, and planned events.
• Ensuring supplies, communication requirements, and OI&T support are deployed and operational; implementing suggestions from training exercises and actual events.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Work is sedentary during non‑emergency situations.
• Participation in field exercises and operational support missions may require strenuous physical activity: carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances, climbing, working long hours, prolonged standing, bending, and stooping.
• May involve various housing and living conditions: non‑climate‑controlled, limited privacy sleeping facilities (cots, tents, “hot‑bunking,” gymnasiums), limited shower and laundry facilities, limited feeding options (shelf‑stable meals, MREs, field kitchens).
• Typical office setting is adequately lighted and climate‑controlled.
• May be required to work in a warehouse and store emergency management equipment in outdoor storage facilities and indoor storage rooms.
• Incumbent will support site visits to all outpatient clinics to perform hazard vulnerability analysis, conduct drills, conduct training, and implement comprehensive emergency management.
• Environment may be subject to adverse weather: wind, precipitation, temperature and humidity extremes.
• Protective gear (gloves, hard hats, hearing protection, etc.) and adherence to safety precautions may be required.
• Travel within the United States may be required; must be able to travel by motor vehicle, train, boat, and aircraft.

Responsibilities

• Provides support for the medical center emergency management assessments, operations, planning, liaison, mission activities, and functions.
• Assists in the development and implementation of Emergency Management protocols and methods.
• Ensures that training and operations requirements are fully integrated, coordinated, and in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Assists in implementing workforce goals.
• Coordinates personnel resources, including periods of activation.
• Prepares draft annual reports and budgets for programs.
• Analyzes and evaluates, on a quantitative and qualitative basis, the effectiveness of programs and operations in meeting established goals and objectives.
• Works with the Emergency Management manager to review, analyze, and coordinate the implementation and evaluation of exercises to test and critique comprehensive emergency management plans and programs.
• Serves as a facility evaluator during emergency management exercise scenarios.
• Works with emergency management and community partners to perform hazard vulnerability analysis designed to assess risks that could interrupt continuity of critical operations.
• Assists in developing and implementing a variety of emergency management guidelines and structures for general and specific operations, including contingency plans and continuity of operations.
• In the absence of the Emergency Management manager, supports and provides advice and guidance on all aspects of emergency management.
• Maintains databases and resource requirements.
• Manages and coordinates the procurement, mobilization, utilization, and demobilization of resources and assets.
• Provides assistance in coordination of various program offices, including the Safety Officer, Industrial Hygienist, Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) Coordinator, Decontamination Triage Leader, Decontamination Entry Team Leader, Decontamination Site Access Control Unit Leader, and Decontamination Logistics Officer.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule

• Full‑time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm.
• Position is subject to recall around the clock for emergency management operations, which may require irregular work hours, work locations other than the official duty station, and duties other than those specified in the official position description.

Travel

Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may occur with little advanced notice and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically austere and operationally challenging conditions.

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives

Not authorized.

Telework

This position may be authorized for telework; eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.