The position is located within each VAMC and reports to the Emergency Management Specialist (EMS). The position of an Emergency Management Specialist Assistant (EMSA) provides the health care system in sustaining national and regional support to the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program. The EMS and EMSA are high-profile positions that require daily interaction with the highest levels of VAMC leadership, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

Duties

The EMSA assists the EMS and VISN in the coordination and administration of duties to support the EMS roles under the VA's national level partners, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as well as federal, state and local agencies in the public and private sector. The incumbent is responsible for assisting the EMS in preparing for and carrying out or coordinating emergency functions to prevent, protect from, mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. The incumbent serves and assists the various program coordinators relating to Emergency Management, Safety, Pharmacy Cache, Clinical Support, and Law Enforcement. The incumbent provides recommendation to the Emergency Management program manager in the development and coordination of all VAMC 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). The incumbent assists and provides administrative support to the EMS as the intra and interagency point of contact and Liaison for the 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). This position must be able to interact in a professional and competent manner daily with individuals of executive level responsibilities and authority. In the absence of the EMS, this position may represent the Associate Director or Executive Leadership at key planning sessions, after actions reviews, response planning, NDMS, VA/DoD Contingency and Emergency Support Function (ESF) #8 meetings, conferences, forums and symposiums; as well as any applicable ad hoc meetings that may present. Duties include but are not limited to: Contributes in the implementation of guidelines that impact the day to day operations and the associated emergency management activities and functions. On an ongoing basis, works directly with the VAMC EMS, VISN EMS, and VHA OEM, federal, state, and local partners to coordinate and collaborate on EM related planning and responses. Provides assistance in implementing workforce goals and coordinates personnel resources at the VAMC (includes periods of activation). Prepares draft annual report and budgets for all programs, to ensure annual programmatic objectives are in concert with and support VAMC and VHA strategic plans and goals for approval by the Emergency Management Manager. Analyzes and evaluates, on a quantitative and qualitative basis, the effectiveness or programs or operations in meeting established goals and objectives. Engages in the review and provide input to the EM manager of Federal, State, local governments, hospital coalitions and consortiums emergency management plans. Analyzes, evaluates and provides recommendations to the VAMC EM to provide a quality program. Evaluates programs against criteria. Recommends program changes to improve quality. In consultation with the Emergency Management manager, the incumbent review, analyze and coordinate the implementation and evaluation of exercises to test and critique VHA comprehensive emergency management plans and programs. Aid the Emergency Management manager during exercise scenarios using Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program principles and serves as a facility evaluator. Works with EM and community partners to perform hazard vulnerability analysis (HVA) requiring assessment of risks that have the potential to interrupt the continuity of critical operations. Assists in the development and solidification of Memorandums and Agreements, documenting or publicizing risks, or public education and training required to effectively deliver emergency management resources and services. Assists in the tracking of contingency supplies and equipment, maintenance of databases and resource requirements to meet objectives and provide support as needed. Works with the EM to serve as secondary responsible party for deliberate planning, operations, and logistics. Assists with the review and reporting on preventative maintenance of deployable assets. Provides status reports on availability of resources in issue briefs and resource reporting to VISN and VHA OEM. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Emergency Management Specialist (Assistant)/PD99788S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/16/2023. 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 by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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, as required by the announcement. In this instance, 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. Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience utilizing pertinent laws, objectives, precedents, guidelines, and policies governing various emergency management programs and operations enough to assist with development and execution of a comprehensive emergency management program. Experience with analytical and evaluation methods and thorough understanding of how regulatory programs are administered to select and apply program evaluation and measurement techniques (data gathering methodologies) in determining compliance with emergency preparedness and management rules and regulations. Experience with responding quickly to emergency situations where degree of hazard could be of a high nature; utilizing a variety of emergency, contingency and operations plans, policies, and directives enough to provide advice and assistance. Applying basic data gathering methodologies to collect various types of information, using, and managing database programs. Note: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related, that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will be considered as satisfying the one (1) year of full-time study requirement). Note: If you select this option, a copy of your transcripts is required. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience, as described above, which meets the total qualification requirement for the GS-11 grade level. Note: If you select this option, a copy of your transcripts is required. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Your resume must indicate clearly the nature of your duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:Analytical ThinkingComputer SkillsEmergency ManagementProject ManagementStrategic Thinking Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary during non-emergency situations. However, participation in field exercises and operational support missions may require strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distance, climbing, working long hours, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping. May include various housing and living conditions to include non-climate controlled, limited privacy sleeping facilities (for example, cots, tents, "hot-bunking", gymnasiums, or similar), limited shower and laundry facilities, and limited feeding options (such as shelf-stable meals, meals-ready-to-eat (MRE's), and field kitchens).Incumbent must have and 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. Incumbent is subject to work under emergency notification and contact procedures. EMS will be provided and must carry 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 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA St Louis Health Care System 1 Jefferson Barracks Drive St. Louis, MO 63125 US
• Name: Ashley Moore
• Phone: 909-520-8107
• Email: [email protected]