Emergency Management Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Northport, NY

21d • Onsite

About The Position

The Emergency Management Specialist is located at the Northport VA Medical Center and reports to the Associate Director or Executive Leadership Team. The position manages the health care system’s national and regional support for its Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP). This is not a virtual position; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.

The specialist coordinates CEMP activities across the health care system, provides leadership and technical expertise, and supports planning, implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement. The role includes managing the system’s automated alert and notification system, supporting the Hospital Incident Management Team, preparing the Hospital Command Center for drills and responses, and coordinating the review and evaluation of exercises. The specialist also advances preparedness through risk documentation, mitigation, and training in collaboration with internal and community partners.

The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During non-emergency situations, work is sedentary. Field exercises and emergency operational support may involve strenuous activity and challenging field conditions. During emergencies, the employee may need to remain available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for multiple weeks, and must carry a government-provided mobile communication device. Recruitment and relocation incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• For GS-12, at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service.
• Specialized experience must include knowledge of pertinent laws and policies governing emergency management programs and operations to assist with developing and executing a comprehensive emergency management program.
• Specialized experience must include understanding a variety of emergencies, contingency and operations plans, and policies to provide advice and assistance.
• Specialized experience must include applying basic data-gathering methodologies to collect different types of information.
• Specialized experience must include using Microsoft Office Suite software, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• A current, valid state-issued driver's license is required and must be maintained.
• Applicants must complete the required application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Applicants are subject to a background/security investigation and must complete the online onboarding process.
• Acceptable identification is required for pre-employment requirements; effective May 7, 2025, non-REAL-ID-compliant driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards cannot be used as acceptable employment identification.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• The employee must serve a one-year probationary period.
• During emergency situations, the employee may be required to remain available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for multiple weeks, and is subject to emergency notification and contact procedures.
• The employee must carry a government-provided mobile communication device.
• Experience must be fully documented on the resume, including job title, duties, month and year of start and end dates, and hours worked per week.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate health care system efforts and engage staff in managing the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP).
• Ensure emergency response results and conclusions support continual improvement of the emergency management program throughout the health care system.
• Provide leadership with direction, management, and professional and technical expertise regarding development and implementation of the CEMP.
• Plan, organize, implement, oversee, and provide technical assistance for emergency management program projects.
• Review documents submitted for review, concurrence, and/or signature by the Emergency Management Specialist.
• Manage and maintain the health care system’s automated alert and notification system, coordinating with the Communication Support Team and monitoring results.
• Activate and directly support the Hospital Incident Management Team and prepare the Hospital Command Center for drills, exercises, and responses.
• Review, analyze, and coordinate the implementation and evaluation of exercises that test and analyze the health care system’s comprehensive emergency management plans.
• Advance health care system programs through risk documentation, mitigation, and training with internal and external community partners.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed