Emergency Management Specialist

Full Job Description

The position is located at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS).

The Emergency Management Specialist (EMS) manages the health care system in sustaining national and regional support to the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP).

The EMS is a high-profile position requiring daily interaction with the highest levels of VAMC leadership, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), VHA and the VHA Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and community stakeholders.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/30/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.

In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of the pertinent laws, objectives, precedents, guidelines and policies governing various emergency management programs and operations enough to assist with the development and execution of a comprehensive emergency management program.

Knowledge of analytical and evaluation methods and thorough understanding of how regulatory programs are administered to select and apply program evaluation and measurement techniques (data gathering methodologies) in determining compliance with emergency preparedness and management rules and regulations.

Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations where the degree of hazard could be of a high nature; knowledge of a variety of emergency, contingency and operations plans, policies, and directives enough to provide advice and assistance.

Previous experience in emergency management is required.

Skill in applying basic data gathering methodologies to collect various types of information and knowledge of database entry programs and management.

Preferred Experience: Experience with VA Emergency Management. Experience with writing and maintaining Emergency Operations Plans.

Experience with activating the Incident Command and filling in ICS roles as needed in real world events. Experience with VHA, CARF and The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications Decisiveness Emergency Management Technical Competence Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary during non-emergency situations.

However, participation in field exercises and operational support missions may require strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances, climbing, working long hours, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping.

May include various housing and living conditions to include non-climate controlled, limited privacy sleeping facilities (for example, cots, tents, "hot-bunking", gymnasiums, or similar), limited shower and laundry facilities, and limited feeding options (such as shelf-stable meals, meals-ready-to-eat (MRE's), and field kitchens).

Incumbent must have and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license.

During emergency situations the incumbent may be required to remain available 24 hours per day, seven days per week for multiple weeks.

Incumbent is subject to work under emergency notification and contact procedures. EMS will be provided and must carry a government provided mobile communication device.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

Duties include but not limited to: Develop and coordinate all VALBHS emergency plans and exercises in accordance with VHA Directive 0320 and supporting appendices, and the VHA Emergency Operations Plan which encompasses Continuity of Operations (COOP).

Collaborates with community partners to support the execution of national objectives.

Primary point of contact and Liaison in managing intra and interagency VA contingency support of Department of Defense (DoD), VA health and medical support of the National Response Framework (NRF) and other applicable authorities and support provided through the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS).

Responsible for coordinating the VALBHS efforts and engaging staff, as well as the functions required to manage the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP).

Develop, implement, sustain, and maintain policies and guidance within the VHA, local, and community.

Responsible for ensuring the emergency response results and conclusions lead to a continual improvement of the emergency management program throughout the healthcare system.

Provides leadership with direction, management, professional and technical expertise regarding the development and implementation of the CEMP.

Participates in the development, coordination and review of directives, white papers, Medical Center Memorandum, service support agreements, standard operating procedures, policy matters and related documents issued by the VHA and the healthcare system.

Plans, organizes, implements, oversees and provides technical assistance for projects relating to emergency management programs.

Reviews documents received for review, concurrence and/or signature by EMS.

Utilizes EM principles ensuring accurate and proper documentation and anticipating possible inquiries from VHA OEM, VISN, and VALBHS Executive Leadership.

Analyzes, maintains, synchronizes, and sustains the CEMP with national and local stakeholders; all the same, as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), The Joint Commission (TJC), Office of Information Technology, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Responsible for managing and maintaining the health care system's automated alert and notification system, coordinating, and monitoring results with the Communication Support Team.

Consults and advises on creating subgroups, training requirements and message building.

Maintains calling rosters for Medical Response Team, Incident Management Team, Decontamination Team, and any other specialized teams requiring activation.

Functions as the local program manager for the Disaster Emergency Personnel System (DEMPS), which is a program comprised of qualified volunteers who register and train in disaster management and support national deployment requirements.

Recruits, evaluates, identifies, and trains specifically qualified volunteers to support national task orders.

Approval for DEMPS deployments is coordinated through VHA OEM, VISN and Medical Center Director.

Reviews, analyzes and coordinates the implementation and evaluation of exercises to test and analyze the healthcare system's comprehensive emergency management plans and associated programs which includes collaboration and integration with the Safety, Patient Safety, Office of Public Affairs, and VA Police programs.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Emergency Management Specialist/PD99789S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized