Emergency Management Specialist

Summary Emergency Management Specialist (EMS) position located at the VA Loma Linda Medical Center. The EMS manages the health care system in sustaining national and regional support to the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP). The role requires daily interaction with the highest levels of VAMC leadership, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), VHA and the VHA Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and community stakeholders. Qualifications Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (07/22/2026). 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. 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; 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 include knowledge of the pertinent laws, objectives, precedents, guidelines and policies governing various emergency management programs and operations; knowledge of analytical and evaluation methods and thorough understanding of how regulatory programs are administered; ability to respond quickly to emergency situations where the degree of hazard could be of a high nature; skill in applying basic data gathering methodologies to collect information and knowledge of database entry programs and management. Previous experience in emergency management is required. Competencies: Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Self‑Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork. Experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps). Volunteer work is credited for all qualifying experience. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary during non-emergency situations. Participation in field exercises and operational support missions may require strenuous physical activity, including carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances, climbing, working long hours, standing, and bending. Incumbent must 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, and must have a government-provided mobile communication device. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management’s website at Duties and Responsibilities Duties for the Emergency Management Specialist include but are not limited to: Develop and coordinate all VALLHS emergency plans and exercises in accordance with VHA Directive 0320. Collaborates with community partners to support the execution of national objectives. Primary point of contact and liaison in managing intra and interagency VA contingency support of Department of Defense (DoD) and VA health and medical support of the National Response Framework (NRF) and other applicable authorities and support through the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). Responsible for coordinating the VALLHS efforts and engaging staff and the functions required to manage the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP). Develop, implement, sustain, and maintain policies and guidance within the VHA, local, and community. Responsible for ensuring the emergency response results and conclusions lead to continual improvement of the emergency management program throughout the health care system. Provides leadership with direction, management, professional and technical expertise regarding the development and implementation of the CEMP. Participates in the development, coordination and review of directives, white papers, Medical Center Memoranda, service support agreements, standard operating procedures, policy matters and related documents issued by the VHA and the health care system. Plans, organizes, implements, oversees and provides technical assistance for projects relating to emergency management programs. Reviews documents received for review, concurrence and/or signature by EMS. Utilizes EM principles ensuring accurate and proper documentation and anticipating possible inquiries from VHA OEM, VISN, and VASDHS Executive Leadership. Analyzes, maintains, synchronizes, and sustains the CEMP with national and local stakeholders. Responsible for managing and maintaining the health care system’s automated alert and notification system, coordinating, and monitoring results with the Communication Support Team. Consults and advises on creating subgroups, training requirements and message building. Maintains calling rosters for Medical Response Team, Incident Management Team, Decontamination Team, and any other specialized teams requiring activation. Functions as the local program manager for the Disaster Emergency Personnel System (DEMPS), a program comprised of qualified volunteers who register and train in disaster management and support national deployment requirements. Recruits, evaluates, identifies and trains specifically qualified volunteers to support national task orders. Approval for DEMPS deployments is coordinated through VHA OEM, VISN, and Medical Center Director. Reviews, analyzes and coordinates the implementation and evaluation of exercises to test and analyze the health care system’s comprehensive emergency management plans and associated programs, including collaboration and integration with the Safety, Patient Safety, Office of Public Affairs, and VA Police programs. Work Schedule: 0730‑1600 Telework: Ad‑hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Emergency Management Specialist/PD99789S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr