Training Specialist (Distance Learning)

Federal Emergency Management Agency•Emmitsburg, MD

11d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the United States Fire Administration in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Training Specialist develops and supports distance-learning content and delivery, drawing on knowledge of adult learning and educational technology. The role includes creating course content with template page designs, collaboration tools, and web media; researching emerging learning technologies and assessing their feasibility; and supporting distance learning, online training, and synchronous virtual training. In coordination with the Section 508 coordinator, the specialist maintains Trusted Tester certification and ensures web-based and distance-learning materials comply with Section 508 requirements. FEMA employees have regular and recurring emergency management responsibilities. Positions may be recalled at any time for emergency operations, which can involve irregular hours, work away from the official duty station, extensive travel with little advance notice, and deployment to austere or operationally challenging locations. The employee must be able to deploy within the United States and its territories for extended periods. If selected, the employee must attend a three-week, in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland, within six months of onboarding; FEMA covers travel expenses. The position requires a Public Trust—Moderate background investigation, U.S. citizenship, Selective Service registration where applicable, and the ability to obtain and maintain a government credit card. Qualification may be met through relevant education, specialized experience, or a combination, depending on grade level. A one-year probationary period applies to new Federal competitive service employees and new supervisors and managers.

Requirements

Be a U.S. citizen.
Successfully pass and maintain a Public Trust—Moderate background investigation.
Meet Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable.
Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.
Be able to obtain and maintain a government credit card.
Be able to deploy with little or no advance notice anywhere in the United States and its territories for an extended period.
Meet the positive education requirement through undergraduate or graduate study in education or a related subject area, or qualifying experience demonstrating practical knowledge of the subject area and methods and techniques of instruction.
For GS-09, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 demonstrating coordination and negotiation to ensure compliance, researching regulations and guidelines to resolve problems, and knowledge of adult learning and educational technology for training aligned with learning objectives and e-learning standards; alternatively, meet the stated graduate-education substitution or combination provisions.
For GS-11, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 demonstrating strategic decisions about timelines and tasks, conducting validity and reliability test studies, and analyzing audiovisual aids; alternatively, meet the stated graduate-education substitution or combination provisions.
For GS-12, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 demonstrating use of electronic spreadsheets and databases for studies, analysis, and management reports; application of adult-learning and educational-technology methods to improve training delivery; and review of training materials and presentation of statistical and evaluative findings to management.
Submit transcripts with the application when using education to qualify; official transcripts are required before appointment if selected.
Attend a three-week, in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland, within six months of onboarding if selected.

Responsibilities

Develop a wide variety of course content using template page design, collaboration tools, and web media.
Research emerging learning technologies and evaluate the feasibility of implementing technology solutions to maximize course delivery capabilities.
Assist with the delivery of distance learning, online training, and synchronous virtual training.
Work with the Section 508 coordinator, maintain Trusted Tester certification, and provide oversight and expertise to ensure web-based and distance-learning materials comply with Section 508 provisions.
Perform recurring emergency management responsibilities and deploy to emergency operations when required.