Emergency Management Specialist

Full Job Description

This Emergency Management Specialist position is located at the Martinsburg WV Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has adopted the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program Workforce Modernization Plan for emergency preparedness and response responsibilities for emergency management activities within VHA to all levels of Department and with other Departments and Agencies and established consistency of functions and streamlines hiring process.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/11/2026.

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: Developing, implementing, sustaining, and maintaining emergency management policies and guidance within the organization and community; Applying a working knowledge of a variety of emergency, contingency and operations plans, policies, and directives to provide advice and assistance; Leadership with direction management, and professional and technical expertise regarding development and implementation of emergency management programs; Experience in emergency management where you applied your knowledge of the laws, guidelines and policies governing various emergency management programs and operations to assist in developing, executing, and analyzing a comprehensive emergency management program; Emergency Communication and Support; Developing a variety of emergency management guidelines and structures for general and specific operations; Managing automated alert notification systems; Collaboration with leadership, staff, management, community partners, stakeholders, etc; Program analysis and policy oversight; Applying data analytical and evaluation methods to determine program compliance with emergency preparedness and management rules and regulations.

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 may include but are not limited to; Preparing for and carrying out or coordinating emergency functions to prevent, protect from, mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.

Serves and assists the various program coordinators relating to Emergency Management (EM), Safety, Pharmacy Cache, Clinical Support, and Law Enforcement.

Develops and coordinates all VAMC 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.

Interacts in a professional and competent manner daily with individuals of executive level responsibilities and authority.

Coordinating the Healthcare System 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.

Coordinates internal and external publicity for the CEMP in conjunction with Medical Center Office of Public Affairs.

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

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

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

Manages and maintains the health care system's automated alert and notification system, coordinating, and monitoring results with the Communication Support Team.

Represents the healthcare system at the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and federal, state, county, and local coalition.

Conducts program analysis, evaluations and reviews ensuring plans are current meeting both internal and external requirements.

The incumbent plans and organizes meetings for the Emergency Management Committee (EMC) and ad hoc workgroup.

Develops and maintains the VA Contingency Plans covering the provisions of continuous patient care and treatment during emergencies.

Serves as subject matter expert to the Medical Center Director and Executive Leadership Team during system disruption, natural disasters or medical surges impacting the Healthcare System or vulnerable Veteran populations.

Other tasks/duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full time. Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. (On call and additional tours may be required to meet the needs of the Medical Center).

Telework: Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. 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.