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Emergency Management Specialist

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Division of Emergency Management, Security and Emergency Response, Office of Research Services

Summary

If you are an exceptionally talented, knowledgeable and motivated individual with experience in managing emergency preparedness activities and developing strategic emergency preparedness plans, and want to play a significant role in a dynamic organization, then consider joining the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) team. For more information, visit http://www.ors.od.nih.gov/Pages/home.aspx.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/19/2026 to 03/23/2026
Salary
$70,623 to - $133,142 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Bethesda, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NIH-ORS-IMP-26-12911960
Control number
861372500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

You must be currently employed by the Department of Health and Human Services, serving on a permanent appointment in the competitive service.

Duties

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If selected for this position as a GS-0089-9/11/12 Emergency Management Specialist your duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Develops emergency plans for all NIH facilities.
  • Develops plans for the recovery of NIH Mission Essential Functions within the scope of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Program.
  • Provides operational coordination to ensure all COOP centers, relocation sites, communication sites and equipment are continually operational.
  • Serves as an emergency planning resource for the NIH and is responsible for coordinating NIH resources essential to planning and preparedness functions.
  • Represents the NIH at meetings, conferences, and working groups with local, state, Federal organizations and coordinates NIH activities required by these groups.
  • Collaborates with senior managers in the Office of Research Services and program managers of other relevant NIH components, in formulating emergency response and recovery plans relative to or involving their program objectives and developing response and recovery plans and exercises to test their adequacy and readiness.
  • Serves as planner and observer for readiness exercises sponsored by NIH.
  • Participates in the development of policies, objectives, standards, and procedures concerning local, state and federal emergency planning and response to improve effectiveness, meet information needs of managers or to address other emergency management improvement concerns.
  • Leads the NIH in readiness exercises conducted or sponsored by local, State, and/or Federal Public Health Service (PHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Defense (DoD), etc.) agencies. Prepares responses based on the type of incident (e.g., radiation, chemical, biological, environmental, etc.).
  • Maintains a continuous communications watch for receipt of emergency notifications, alerting instructions, or other vital messages. Remains alert for communications pertaining to any emergency which may be of vital interest to NIH components.
  • Evaluates such information, and decides whether senior NIH management should be advised on actions to be taken to ensure safety of personnel, property, research animals and projects (e.g., severe weather, local or regional disasters, National crises, etc.).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
  • Incumbent must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle license or must be able to obtain a valid driver's license before a final offer of employment.
  • Incumbent will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency.
  • This is a Testing Designated Position. Incumbent must submit to and successfully pass an urinalysis drug screening prior to appointment.
  • The Incumbent will also be subject to unannounced random drug testing for the duration of their time in this position.
  • The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET Clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information access (TS/SCI). The incumbent is required to continuously maintain TS/SCI eligibility as a condition of continued employment.
  • The incumbent may be called in during non-duty work hours to take care of unexpected problems or an emergency situation and is required to report for duty when so requested by a supervisor.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for an Emergency Management Specialist, GS-0089 position at the GS-09 level, you must meet one of the following requirements:

Completed a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full hears of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL. B or J.D.

OR

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: assisting in the administration and coordination of emergency management programs, plans, and activities; advising on emergency management program operations and procedures; and participating in emergency management readiness exercises.

OR

A combination of post baccalaureate education related to the position and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

In order to qualify for an Emergency Management Specialist, GS-0089 position at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following requirements:

Completed a Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree, or 3 full hears of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.M., if related.

OR

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: administering emergency management programs, plans, and activities; advising on emergency management program operations and procedures; developing hazard plans, risk assessments, vulnerability assessments; collaborating with other emergency management staff to assist in emergency response planning; and participating in emergency management readiness exercises.

OR

A combination of post baccalaureate education related to the position and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

In order to qualify for an Emergency Management Specialist, GS-0089 position at the GS-12 level, you must have:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: coordinating emergency management programs, plans, and operations; developing guidance and procedures for emergency management programs; collaborating with other emergency management organizations to meet emergency response program objectives; and planning emergency management readiness exercises.


You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12911960

Education

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
  • Visit our Help Applying for helpful information on the application process.
  • If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.
  • Veterans' Preference only applies to Schedule A (disability appointment), HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles, HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL) Eligibles, and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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 based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least 80 points on the assessment(s) and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

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