Emergency Management Specialist

Summary

The Veterans Health Administration has adopted the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program Workforce Modernization Plan for emergency preparedness and response for emergency management activities within VHA. The Emergency Management Specialist manages the heath care system in sustaining national and regional support to the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP). This position is located at the Tuscaloosa VAMC in the Occupational Safety & Health service.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 04/16/2026. 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: Specialize experience include comprehensive knowledge of occupational safety - occupational health principles - fire protection - and emergency management principles - methods - standards - regulations - policies - practices - and techniques applicable to a broad range of safety and occupational health and emergency management responsibilities within a medical center and health care research environment. Knowledge must be applied with swift confidence to enable prompt control or elimination of safety and fire hazards and internal or external emergencies to patients - visitors - employees - and all other building occupants in a complex medical and research facility. Incumbent has knowledge of safety and occupational rules and regulations and emergency management principles as relates to common deficiencies and potential hazards within offices - laboratories - patient care areas - and industrial areas such as Boiler Plan and Chiller Plant - equipment such as elevators - and internal and external emergencies/disasters that could directly impact the Medical Center or its ability to support casualties. Preferred Experience: 3 or more years of emergency management specialist experience 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/.

Duties

• MAJOR DUTIES: Responsible for preparing and implementing emergency functions to prevent - protect - respond to - and recover from emergencies and disasters
• Develops and coordinates emergency plans in accordance with VHA Directive 0320 and the VHA Emergency Operations Plan encompassing Continuity of Operations (COOP)
• Primary Liaison for interagency VA contingency support of Department of Defense - National Response Framework - to provide support through the National Disaster Medical System
• Represents the Associate Director or Executive Leadership at planning sessions - response planning - NDMS - DOD - meetings - forums and any ad hoc meetings
• Coordinates efforts to manage the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP)
• Provides leadership with management direction regarding the development and implementation of the CEMP
• Advises Agency Executives and key stakeholders on program and policy impacting the CEMP to include vulnerable Veteran populations
• Reviews documents received for review - concurrence and/or signature by EMS
• Analyzes - and maintains the CEMP with national stakeholders - Office Safety and Health Administration - Joint Commission - National Fire
• Protection Association - Office of Information Technology - and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
• Manages and maintains the health care system's automated alert and notification system
• Ensures Cascade Calling Systems are updated and prepared for immediate use for any emergency or exercise
• Develops and maintains VA Contingency Plans covering the continuous patient care and treat during emergencies
• Provides direct support to the Hospital Incident Management Team
• Assist in the planning and design of emergency exercise scenarios
• Provides guidance and assistance to employees - patients - and Veteran accountability efforts prior - during and after an emergency or disaster
• Physical Demands 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
• Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Emergency Management Specialist/PD99789S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required