Emergency Management Specialist (EMS)

Full Job Description

This position is organizationally aligned under the Occupational Safety and Health Service, which reports to the Associate Director of Operations at the Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital in Hines, IL, a complexity level 1a VHA facility.

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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/03/2026.

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: GS-12 Grade Requirements: 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: Applying the policies governing emergency management programs and operations; assisting with the execution of a comprehensive emergency management program; responding quickly to emergency situations; implementing a variety of emergency, contingency, and operations plans; applying basic data gathering methodologies to collect various types of information; using and managing database programs.

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

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/.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: 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).

The work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office; however, the employee may be required to work in a warehouse and store emergency management equipment in an outdoor storage facility and indoor storage rooms.

The EMS will support site visits to all outpatient clinics to perform hazard vulnerability analysis, conduct drills, conduct training, and any other comprehensive emergency management implementation.

Environment may be subject to adverse weather to include wind, precipitation, temperature and humidity extremes.

Protective gear (gloves, hard hats, hearing protection, and similar) and adherence to safety precautions may be required.

Travel by motor vehicle, train, boat, and aircraft within the United States may be required.

Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely.

Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination.

NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package.

If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license.

Emergency Management Specialist (EMS) Additional Conditions of Employment: During emergency situations the incumbent may be required to remain available 24 hours per day, seven days per week for multiple weeks.

Subject to work under emergency notification and contact procedures.

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 may include duties other than hose specified in the official position description.

EMS will be provided and must carry a government provided mobile communication device. Travel within the United States may be required, possibly with little advanced notice.

Must obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as a Federal Emergency Response Official (FERO). Major Duties:

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

The EMS works with the VISN in coordinating and administering duties required to execute the roles and responsibilities under the VA's national level partners, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as well as federal, state, and local agencies in the public and private sector.

Major duties and responsibilities include: Coordinating the Healthcare System efforts and engaging staff, as well as the functions required to manage the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP).

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

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.

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

Developing and coordinating all VAMC emergency plans and exercises in accordance with VHA directives and VHA Emergency Operations Plan.

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

Representing Executive Leadership at key planning sessions, after actions reviews, and response planning meetings, conferences, forums and symposiums.

Providing guidance and assistance in all employee and vulnerable patient/Veteran accountability efforts before, during and after an emergency.

Ensuring all data on employee and patient/Veteran accountability is reported to the healthcare system Incident Command Center and VISN in a timely manner.

Establishing relationships with the stakeholders and community in order to communicate and disseminate program information to ensure an understanding of the agency's mission and activities.

Establishing, maintaining, and fostering strong working relationships with partners at national, regional and local levels. Performing other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm. Work days, hours, and location is subject to change based on program needs and during emergency situations.

Please review Qualifications section for additional information. Telework: Not Suitable Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Emergency Management Specialist (EMS)/PD99789S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.