Some disaster recovery is swift and can be completed rather easily, while some disaster recovery, the rescue and recovery effort from Hurricane Sandy for example, can take months or even years to complete. If you have ever watched coverage following any kind of natural disaster, it is very likely that the coverage has included information about FEMA: the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA workers arrive on the site of a natural disaster with impressive speed, and the many different jobs that they hold are an essential part of disaster relief and recovery. FEMA workers are seen helping the survivors as well as lending a hand in various capacities.
Many people may wonder what a career with that government department might actually be like. How would I get a job with FEMA? What would my job description be? How much money would I be able to make as a FEMA employee? Is it a difficult field to enter? Is working for FEMA a good option for a long-term career? What kind of person excels as a FEMA employee? These are just some of the many questions that one might ask when considering the possibility of working for this very important government agency.
FEMA Employee Job Description
Federal Emergency Management Agency employees are responsible for taking care of matters that are directly related to emergency and disaster management. Their job description requires them to be ready to act before, during, and of course after a disaster. FEMA employees have the unique opportunity and ability to affect a person’s life and hopefully change it for the better, and this has the potential to happen at that crucial moment of need when it matters the most.
Much of the job of a FEMA employee includes direct communication with and personal care for people in need. So, compassion and empathy are both very helpful qualities for a FEMA employee. FEMA employees must always be prepared to act swiftly, as well as to have creative solutions to the various and unexpected problems that they may encounter.
Every single FEMA employee has day to day responsibilities that are related to disaster management, whether or not their specific line of work or job description requires them to actually be on the site of the disaster.
A person who is considering employment within the Federal Emergency Management Agency should realize that FEMA jobs will rarely, or maybe even never, be a typical 40-hour work week. Since it is primarily a disaster response agency, the hours will almost always be unpredictable and the job is often extremely fast-paced. FEMA employees should always be prepared to receive a call at any time, whether it be night or day. Depending on the type of FEMA jobs, a FEMA employee may be required to deploy to a new location, and this may often be without much notice, and these deployments can very frequently be to challenging conditions. A deployment may last just a few days. However, it also has the potential to last up to weeks, months, or in some cases, even more than a year.
FEMA’s Four Basic Job Types
First of all, it is important to understand how exactly FEMA designates their workforce. Of the more than 11,000 people that FEMA employs, only a rather small proportion of them are permanent, full-time employees. This is because, although the agency is active year-round, it primarily gears up in an emergency situation. During those times, it interfaces with organizations like the Red Cross and National Guard, as well as with public health personnel.
Besides the permanent, full- time employees, there are those who are hired as CORE workers. This is the Cadre of On Call Response/Recovery Employees. Although these are considered full-time jobs, they are most often for just a limited time, usually from two to four years. The third designation is Reservist, and these people are called only in emergency situations. The last designation is Temporary Local Hires, and these employees are often survivors themselves and work on-site during the time of the emergency. Understanding each of these unique FEMA jobs is helpful when making the decision about which of the many FEMA job opportunities to pursue.
Permanent, Full-Time: FEMA Jobs Pay Scale
Permanent, full time FEMA jobs are through an application and interview. These hires are based on ability, and they are probationary for a period of a year. After one year of continuous service, full time FEMA employees may gain competitive status. After three years, employees earn tenure which means they do not have to compete with the general public to keep their jobs. Employees also offer full career tenure after three years of continuous service as a FEMA employee. The following are some examples of full-time permanent jobs for employees of FEMA (from USA Jobs. Gov):
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Deputy Director:
This position is a senior executive service position. It involves the oversight, policy, procedural development, and coordination of a particular division within the organization. Jobs such as this one may require top secret security clearance. Salary ranges from $163,000 to $203,00 per year.
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Supervisory Management and Program Analyst:
This job position is for someone who is capable of providing senior level advice, as well as developing policy and standard operating procedures. The salary ranges from $126,000 to $164,000, depending on qualifications.
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Watch Officer:
This position is senior management level. It involves analysis of data and decision-making capabilities. It carries a GS-14 designation and salary is between $105, 211 and $136, 771 per year.
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Operations Specialist:
This project manager monitors information from several sources to disseminate emergency information about current or predicted occurrences. The salary for this position ranges from $74, 872 to $115,742 depending upon qualifications.
CORE Jobs: Working for FEMA
The Cadre of On Call Response/Recovery job market is competitive. That is, applicants earn no tenure. Employment is typically for a maximum of two years, though these employees may have the option to move into full-time permanent jobs through the competition process. Some of the CORE jobs also offer the option to extend, based on both the local workload and the funding availability.
CORE jobs are often somewhat easy to come by: new ones are posted quite regularly, and these CORE jobs are located both domestically and internationally. Some CORE jobs require travel, but not all do. Job opportunities as a CORE worker could be a good choice for someone with a love for travel and adventure, and seeing as the CORE jobs are never long term, they may also be a good fit for dedicated temporary workers who have the desire to always be trying something new. Willingness to travel is a benefit for someone looking into a Feral Emergency Management Agency job at the CORE level. Some of the many examples of jobs at this level are:
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Data Management Analyst:
this person consults with other professionals on data extraction and automation techniques. He or she may also troubleshoot software applications used in the data evaluation. Starting salary is $62,467.
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Public Affairs Specialist:
this person consults with other FEMA personnel on how policy is perceived by the public and how misconceptions may be amended. Starting salary is $77,585.
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Tribal Relations Specialist :
this person serves as a primary point of contact with federally recognized tribal nations in a given region. Salary starts at $87,614.
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Community Planner:
the job description includes serving as a community planner with FEMA’s regional offices. This may include a variety of duties, such as directing program activities and training. Starting salary is $103,104.
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Emergency Management Specialist:
this person is responsible for developing, maintaining, and executing emergency management strategies at a given location. Starting salary can range from $67,00 to $111,000, depending on variables such as location.
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Supervisory Program Analyst:
this person will be responsible for supervising a specific reservist workforce, like a project manager. This includes managing staff, maintaining communication, and providing guidance to reservists. Starting salary is $106,283.
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Human Resources Specialist:
this person will serve as a Benefits and Retirement Counselor for various related programs. Salary can range from $61,947 to $116,788, depending on qualifications.
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Telecommunications Specialist:
a telecommunications specialist has the job of providing information to the American public to help them adequately prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from disasters. Starting salary is $106,823.
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Civil Engineer:
this person will serve as a civil engineer and develop cost estimates and scopes of work for Public Assistance Grants. Starting salary is $86,945.
There are also many additional CORE job openings that offer hourly pay, and these are sometimes jobs that require experience in specific trades, such as a systems mechanic or motor vehicle operator.
Reservists
Reservists are the main FEMA workforce during actual emergencies or natural disasters. Those who are hired by FEMA as reservists work only when called up during an actual emergency management situation. Reservists travel, receive training, build professional networks, and support those in a time of need. In addition, they are “on call” for a period of only two years, so these workers must plan on having an alternate source of income. The jobs of reservists can range from community planning to actual fact-finding among victims. FEMA reservists must be available and willing to travel within 24-48 hours of notice. Additionally, FEMA reservists have the potential to be deployed for 30 days or more. Reservists are hired based on both their skills and experience. When applying for a position as a reservist, there are many options of specific “cadres”, and the applicant can choose a cadre that best aligns with their particular skills and experience. Some examples of cadres are safety, security, disability integration, and civil rights. FEMA is always accepting applications for reservists, and those interested can email their resume directly to FEMA without needing to respond to a particular job opening. FEMA reservists are paid hourly, and the pay grade is dependent on the employee’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. The salaries for FEMA reservists average around $36 an hour.
Temporary Local Hires
Temporary Local Hires are front-line FEMA workers employed for periods of 120 days, though this period may be extended in increments of 120 days if the recovery efforts require additional time and work. These FEMA jobs for temporary workers have a unique position to help, as they bring a special understanding of the specific challenges and problems faced by their fellow disaster survivors. Most temporary local hires are hired through a streamlined hiring process. These job opportunities are not ones that can be planned for, as they are always in direct response to a specific disaster or emergency. Temporary local hires are paid an hourly rate, and this hourly rate differs based on location, job description, and situation. Starting salaries for temporary local hires can range from $19 an hour to $33 an hour. The following are some examples of the temporary local hire positions within the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
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IT Specialist
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Accounting Technician
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Civil Right Specialist
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Emergency Management Specialist
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Geospatial Information Specialist
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Public Assistance Program Delivery Manager
Careers at the Feral Emergency Management Agency have something to offer to almost anyone, and these careers can be lucrative in the right position. Though many FEMA jobs are well-paid, top salaries in FEMA are given to permanent, full time workers and the competition can at times be fierce. Those who are working for FEMA can benefit from working for the federal government, as the jobs often come with excellent benefits as well as stability and the opportunity for lateral movement from agency to agency. FEMA jobs are great options for those who are willing to face unknown challenges, as well as for those who thrive in situations in which they are called to step up in times of need. Anyone who has been through their own disaster or emergency locally knows the irreplaceable role that the FEMA workers are called on to perform. It goes without saying that when choosing a career with FEMA, you are truly choosing a career that will make a difference in the lives of countless people.
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