Emergency Management Specialist

Emergency Management Specialist

Are you ready to help strengthen Pennsylvania's ability to respond to hazardous materials emergencies? Become an Emergency Management Specialist with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and help shape programs that safeguard Commonwealth residents. This position gives you the opportunity to support statewide preparedness efforts and strengthen emergency response capabilities. You will work with partners across many agencies to strategically plan for hazardous materials events. Apply today to step into a mission-driven environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact!

This position focuses on coordinating statewide programs that strengthen hazardous materials preparedness and emergency response. Through your work, you will support vital planning, certification, and policy guidance efforts across various counties and agencies. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Program Coordination: Coordinate statewide hazardous materials team certification activities and support implementation of Act 165 requirements
• Data Management: Maintain and update databases tracking hazardous materials teams, incidents, and planning information
• Policy Guidance: Provide direction to planners and agencies on hazardous materials planning, training, and emergency response procedures
• Incident Review: Review hazardous materials incident reports and ensure complete and accurate follow-up actions
• Training Support: Assist with the development and delivery of hazardous materials training programs and standards across the Commonwealth
• Agency Liaison: Maintain communication with county officials and agencies involved in hazardous materials planning and exercises

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• In the event of an emergency/disaster situation or training exercise, this position may be required to travel, work up to 12-hour shifts, and work outside of the normal work hours, including weekends and overnights.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, upon successful completion of the training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538.00 (before taxes).
• Free and secure on-site parking.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the Emergency Management Trainee program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Two years of professional experience in the development, coordination, or promotion of emergency management programs such as disaster relief, public safety, flood mitigation and resiliency, and emergency management in government, industry, education, or the military; and a bachelor's degree; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of professional experience in the development, coordination, or promotion of emergency management programs such as disaster relief, public safety, flood mitigation and resiliency, and emergency management in government, industry, education, or the military.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.
• All positions require certification in the following courses from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute, within six months of hire:
• IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System
• IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
• IS-800.D: National Response Framework, An Introduction
• IS-2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.