Emergency Management Specialist

Full Job Description

The position is located within VISN 4 VA Medical Centers and reports to the Associate Director or Executive Leadership Team.

The position of an 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) To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/27/2026.

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 and/or education s 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: : 1) Maintains a corresponding system of data collection, analysis, tracking and trending.2) Conducts construction safety rounds.3) Critiques internal and external emergencies.4) Independently develops medical center-wide policies and procedures.5) Sufficiently addresses mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED: 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.

Extensive knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite software (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) is required.

Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations where 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.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications Computer Skills Emergency Management 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; religions; 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 distance, 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 too: Responsible for 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.

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

Participates in the development, coordination and review of directives, white papers, Medical Center Memorandum, service support agreements, standard operation 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.

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

Responsible for ensuring Cascade Calling Systems are updated and prepared for immediate use during any type of emergency or exercises.

Completes meeting preparations ensuring agendas are prepared, participants are notified, and guest speakers are scheduled.

Prepares the Hospital Command Center (HCC) for drills, exercises and responses. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m- 4:30 p.m. Telework: This position may be authorized for 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