Emergency Management Specialist

Summary

The Emergency Management Specialist (EMS) position is 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 EMS is a high-profile position requiring 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.

Duties

Duties for the Emergency Management Specialist include but not limited to:

• Develop and coordinate all VALLHS emergency plans and exercises in accordance with VHA Directive 0320 and supporting appendices, and the VHA Emergency Operations Plan which encompasses Continuity of Operations (COOP).
• 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), VA health and medical support of the National Response Framework (NRF) and other applicable authorities and support provided through the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS).
• Responsible for coordinating the VALLHS efforts and engaging staff, as well as 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 a continual improvement of the emergency management program throughout the healthcare 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 Memorandum, service support agreements, standard operating procedures, policy matters and related documents issued by the VHA and the healthcare 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; all the same, as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), The Joint Commission (TJC), Office of Information Technology, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
• 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), which is 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 healthcare system’s comprehensive emergency management plans and associated programs which includes 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

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.

Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the “Who may apply” eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.

Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Cover Letter Disability Letter (Schedule A) Other (1)
• Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing 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, as required by the announcement.
• In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade Award 50’s do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50’s include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50’s at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• Veterans’ Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 “Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference” with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans’ Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans’ Preference.