Emergency Management Specialist

Emergency Management

GS-0089

Position Overview

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere, without warning.  Like other federal agencies DOI must be vigilant and ready to do its part to respond to all types of emergencies: natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies, pandemics, man-made and technological incidents or hazards. Emergency Management experts help DOI develop and refine plans and procedures that help the agency remain prepared to respond and recover from the unexpected.  Planning, conducting, and evaluating exercises are required to identify gaps in policies, plans, and proficiency.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate is a strong to excellent writer and can communicate well across various platforms.  (S)he is organized, plans ahead, and can quickly “connect the dots” in fast-moving external events.  He or she can remain calm and be decisive under pressure.  This person effectively collaborates and coordinates with people at all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and in the private sector.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office environment, but emergency response may involve special demands such as wearing protective gear, demanding and unpredictable work schedules, and assisting others.  May deploy to serve on emergency management teams or as a member of a Continuity of Operations (COOP) Team.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Administrative and Management Support Group Qualification Standard on the OPM website.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Mid:

    • Tracking and reporting on critical incidents 
    • Serving on teams and work groups reviewing or modifying incident management or continuity of operations plans
    • Drafting or updating guidance documents and procedures
    • Reviewing and drafting comments on proposed legislation or other emergency management documents
    • Preparing alerts and notifications for a variety of events and situations

  • Journey:

    • Planning and overseeing comprehensive emergency management studies
    • Developing emergency management policies, procedures and guidance
    • Advising on occupant emergency planning and preparedness
    • Preparing legislative recommendations
    • Analyzing emergency response capabilities, procedures and systems and developing recommendations for improvement

  • Senior:

    • Leading Incident Coordination Teams, managing all aspects of response to specific emergency situations 
    • Planning, developing, and implementing comprehensive emergency management policy
    • Developing and overseeing emergency management programs at regional/bureau levels
    • Monitoring and responding to legislative, political, social and economic trends to inform emergency management planning and program management
    • Delivering briefings and testimony and coordinating effectively with national level groups, Congress, high level state officials

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Strengths by Level

Mid 9-11
Journey 12-13
Senior 14-15
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Compliance
    Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Decision Making
    Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • External Awareness
    Identifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization.
    Show Tool Tip
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Flexibility
    Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Influencing/Negotiating
    Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Information Management
    Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
    Show Tool Tip
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Organizational Awareness
    Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Partnering
    Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.
    Show Tool Tip
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Resilience
    Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Teaching Others
    Helps others learn through formal or informal methods; identifies training needs; provides constructive feedback; coaches others on how to perform tasks; acts as a mentor.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
    Show Tool Tip
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

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