Emergency Management Specialist

National Institutes of Health • Montgomery County, MD

3d

About The Position

The Emergency Management Specialist (GS-0089-9/11/12) works with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Division of Emergency Management to develop and coordinate emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities. The position develops emergency plans for NIH facilities and plans for recovering NIH Mission Essential Functions under the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Program. It coordinates the operational readiness of COOP centers, relocation sites, communications sites, and equipment, and serves as an emergency planning resource for NIH.

The specialist coordinates NIH resources for preparedness planning, represents NIH in meetings and working groups with local, state, and federal organizations, and collaborates with senior managers and program managers on emergency response and recovery plans and exercises. The role includes planning and observing readiness exercises, contributing to emergency management policies and procedures, and leading NIH participation in exercises conducted or sponsored by public health and other government agencies. The specialist also monitors emergency communications, assesses incident information, and determines whether senior NIH management should be advised about actions to protect personnel, property, research animals, and projects.

This is an emergency-essential position requiring availability to report for duty under all circumstances to support coverage 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The position may require responding outside normal duty hours and occasional travel of up to 25%. Telework on an ad hoc basis and alternative work schedules may be available at the supervisor's discretion.

Requirements

• Meet U.S. citizenship or U.S. National requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Successfully complete a background investigation, qualification verification, onboarding requirements, and other job-related requirements.
• Meet applicable qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days of the announcement closing date, including time-in-grade requirements.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Possess or obtain a valid driver's license before a final offer of employment.
• Complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450).
• Successfully pass a pre-appointment urinalysis drug screening and submit to unannounced random drug testing.
• Obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) access and eligibility.
• Be able to perform the essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• GS-09 qualification: a related master's or equivalent graduate degree, two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education toward such a degree, or a related LL.B./J.D.; alternatively, one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, or a qualifying combination of related post-baccalaureate education and experience.
• GS-11 qualification: a related Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education toward such a degree, or a related LL.M.; alternatively, one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, or a qualifying combination of related post-baccalaureate education and experience.
• GS-12 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11.
• GS-09 specialized experience includes assisting with emergency management program administration and coordination, advising on program operations and procedures, and participating in readiness exercises.
• GS-11 specialized experience includes administering emergency management programs, advising on program operations and procedures, developing hazard, risk, or vulnerability assessments, collaborating on response planning, and participating in readiness exercises.
• GS-12 specialized experience includes coordinating emergency management programs, plans, and operations; developing program guidance and procedures; collaborating with emergency management organizations; and planning readiness exercises.

Nice To Haves

• Related graduate education may qualify applicants at the GS-09 or GS-11 level in lieu of specialized experience, or in combination with experience.
• Education-related applicants are encouraged to submit transcripts or a course list; unofficial transcripts are accepted with applications, and official transcripts are required from selectees before an official offer.

Responsibilities

• Develop emergency plans for NIH facilities.
• Develop plans to recover NIH Mission Essential Functions within the COOP Program.
• Coordinate operations to ensure COOP centers, relocation sites, communications sites, and equipment remain operational.
• Coordinate NIH resources needed for emergency planning and preparedness.
• Represent NIH at meetings, conferences, and working groups with local, state, and federal organizations, and coordinate NIH activities required by those groups.
• Collaborate with senior managers and program managers to formulate emergency response and recovery plans and develop exercises to test their adequacy and readiness.
• Plan and observe NIH readiness exercises.
• Participate in developing emergency planning and response policies, objectives, standards, and procedures.
• Lead NIH participation in readiness exercises conducted or sponsored by local, state, and federal agencies, including PHS, FEMA, and DoD.
• Prepare responses appropriate to incidents such as radiation, chemical, biological, or environmental events.
• Maintain a continuous communications watch for emergency notifications, alerting instructions, and other vital messages.
• Evaluate emergency information and determine whether senior NIH management should be advised on actions to protect personnel, property, research animals, and projects.
• Report for duty when requested by a supervisor, including during non-duty hours for unexpected problems or emergencies.

Benefits

• Potential repayment of certain outstanding federally insured student loans, based on organizational need, case justification, and budget limits.
• Potential service credit for prior qualifying work experience or active-duty uniformed service when determining annual leave accrual rate, subject to agency approval.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level