This position is located in the Office of Response and Recovery, Field Leadership Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The incumbent serves as the Leader of one of the National Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT).

The National IMAT responds to different levels of disasters based on various criteria including scope of impact, geographic size, and extent of required Federal assistance. Level I disasters represent the highest level with extensive and severe damage. Damage significantly impacts critical infrastructure, individual residences and businesses which may negatively impact multiple states and/or local economies. Level I disasters result in a Presidential Declaration and require substantial amounts of Federal assistance. Level II disasters may cause considerable damage that result in a Presidential Declaration with moderate Federal assistance. Level III disasters are not as significant in impact and scope. Level III disasters have minor levels of damage that may result in a Presidential Declaration with low to moderate Federal assistance.

The incumbent serves as the Leader of one of the National Incident Management Assistance Teams.  National IMATs have extensive impact on both FEMA and the timely delivery of disaster assistance to disaster survivors, States, and local governments. The incumbent will generally be designated as the Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer and, using the resources and capabilities of the National IMAT, will integrate the National IMAT with existing FEMA resources already responding; will expeditiously establish Federal presence at the disaster operations site; will immediately begin to advise and support the State and local Incident Command or Area Command structure; will facilitate an integrated, interjurisdictional State and Federal disaster response; and will begin the flow of Federal support

The incumbent provides leadership and direction in the development and achievement of new concepts and capabilities, especially as they relate to disaster assistance delivery systems. Develops plans and strategies based on agency policy and the needs of the customer.  Coordinates the relationships between Federal, State, local and FEMA personnel in partnership with the FCO and State Coordinating Officer (SCO). Advises the Governor and the FCO on the status of the Federal response. Establishes a Joint Field Office (JFO) and coordinates Federal disaster response, recovery, and mitigation operations with the SCO.

The incumbent provides continuous updates and situational assessments to the FCO, Regional Administrator, FEMA Administrator, the State Director of Emergency Management and/or Homeland Security, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC), the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC), and other officials, as necessary.

The incumbent manages media, community and other external relations to communicate the availability of assistance to Members of Congress, to Federal assistance applicants, and to the general public. Establishes communications links with the media and elected Federal, State, and local officials in accordance with Joint Field Office Standard Operating Procedures and other policies.

The incumbent serves as a principal advisor to the FCO, Regional Administrator, Assistant Administrator and other senior officials as required in the management of the National IMAT during deployment to a disaster. Develops and implements long-range objectives and requirements of the National IMAT, defines financial support requirements and schedules/manages provided support.

During periods when not deployed for disaster response, the incumbent reports to the Assistant Administrator, Field Leadership Directorate, Office of Response and Recovery.

Perform other duties as assigned.

EMERGENCY ASSIGNMENT: Every FEMA employee has regular and recurring emergency management responsibilities, though not every position requires routine deployment to disaster sites. All positions are subject to recall around the clock for emergency management operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official position description. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically austere and operationally challenging conditions.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• File a Public Financial Disclosure (SF-278) within 30 days of appointment.
• If selected, a one-year SES Probationary period may be required.
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• This position is subject to random drug testing.

Failure to meet the basic qualification requirement and all Technical and Executive Core Qualification factors automatically disqualifies an applicant.

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show in your resume that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Technical Qualifications (TQs) listed below.

We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions.

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. Although you should not address the ECQs or TQs separately, evidence of each must be clearly reflected in your resume. 

Any information in excess of 5 pages WILL NOT be considered.

A sample 5-page resume that incorporates ECQs and TQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 29 - 37): http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS – MANDATORY

1. Demonstrated expert knowledge of emergency management programs and disaster operations as authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in order to coordinate and lead the delivery of Federal disaster assistance to affected communities.
2. Demonstrated expert abilities in the operational execution of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the National Response Framework (NRF), the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the Incident Command System (ICS) and other relevant emergency management guidance documents.
3. Demonstrated ability to manage a large scale, geographically dispersed organization, characterized by changing environments that involve the integration of emergency management planning, policy and programs at the Federal, State and local levels.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):

ECQ 1: LEADING CHANGE: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

ECQ 2: LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

ECQ 3: RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

ECQ 4: BUSINESS ACUMEN: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

ECQ 5: BUILDING COALITIONS: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

Additional information on the Executive Core Qualifications is available at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/qualify.asp.

The following categories of applicants may omit the mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), but the Technical Qualifications must be addressed within your Resume:

• Applicants who are currently serving under a SES career appointment (must provide a copy of Standard Form 50--Notification of Personnel Action that documents career appointment to the SES).
• Applicants who are eligible for reinstatement to the SES (must provide a copy of Standard Form 50--Notification of Personnel Action that documents career appointment to the SES).
• Applicants who are graduates of OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Programs (must provide proof of OPM Qualifications Review Board certification). 

All required application materials will be reviewed to determine if applicants meet the mandatory qualification requirements. Qualification and experience determinations will be based only on the information supplied by the applicant. The best-qualified candidates for this position will be distinguished from other applicants by an evaluation committee to determine the degree to which qualification requirements are met.  Applicants should provide specific evidence of possession of the mandatory Technical and Executive Core Qualifications, as outlined under Qualifications Criteria, to assist the evaluation committee in determining the best-qualified candidates that will be considered for final selection.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.  If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments and experience.  Your application will be evaluated by an internal rating and ranking panel.  Highly qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check.  Unless you have already been previously certified by a Qualifications Review Board (QRB), your Executive Core Qualifications must be certified by an OPM-sponsored QRB prior to appointment.