Emergency Management Specialist (Watch Officer)

This position is located within the Department of the Interior Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of the Secretary (OS) Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Interior Operations Center (IOC) duty stationed in Washington DC.

At the full performance level (GS-12) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:
1) Monitors multiple information sources to collect analyze verify prepare and disseminate information to ensure immediate notifications and alerts are made to key personnel regarding significant events that are affecting or could affect DOI facilities and/or personnel.
2) Maintains situational awareness of evolving incidents and events in order to develop and maintain a Department level common operating picture.
3) Tracks and reports critical incidents monitors ongoing events for new and updated information executes standard operating procedures and maintains comprehensive watch office logs and vital records.
4) Prepares required alerts and notifications to relay updated information regarding emergency management activities and events to a large interagency audience.
5) Maintains proficiency in the operation of IOC communication and IT systems to facilitate information sharing disseminate alerts and notifications and operate classified and unclassified IOC communication systems.
6) Performs activities in support of the Interior Operations Center Emergency Operations Division Office of Emergency Management the Departments emergency management program and the Secretary of the Interior in operational areas such as analysis and productions modeling innovation and tools development.
7) Leads workgroups and facilitate emergency management projects in support of the offices strategic goals and initiatives.

OS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for situational/ad-hoc telework only.

Please note:

• You may be required to operate a government vehicle to complete assigned tasks i.e. site visits field research etc.; therefore you must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state drivers license.
• This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• Duties involve office type work with periodic field activity characterized by moderate physical exertion requiring basic good health. Activities may include climbing stairs standing and long hours of work as well as some bending stooping or light lifting. Individuals must be able to assist others during evacuations.
• Incumbent must be able to operate in austere and operationally challenging environments during activations or deployments. Demanding travel and/or work schedules may be required during emergencies. The incumbent must be prepared to work extended hours during emergency operations with little or no notice. The position may also require the incumbent to don respiratory or other personal protective equipment.
• The incumbent is subject to recall around the clock for emergency management operations or situations dealing with national security emergencies or may be required to remain at work during dismissal or closure situations. Individual regularly works overnight weekend and holiday shifts as part of the Interior Operations Centers support to the organizational 24/7 operational requirements.

Conditions of employment

1. You must be a U.S. Citizen.
2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
3. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
4. You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
5. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See Qualification Requirements:
   To qualify for this position you must meet the (1) Educational Requirements OR (2) Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.
   
   GS-11
   A. Specialized Experience:
   To qualify for the GS-11 you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
   
   Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
   1) Analyzing and/or evaluating critical time-sensitive information regarding emergency management incidents; AND
   2) Applying emergency management procedures while working in an organization; AND
   3) Utilizing accepted emergency management systems such as: NIMS (National Incident Management System) ICS (Incident Command System) NRF (National Response Framework).
   Note: If qualifying in whole on specialized experience applicants must meet ALL three statements as defined above.
   
   OR
   
   B. Educational: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. if related and have submitted my transcripts to verify this information or equivalent combination of education and specialized experience that totals 100% of the experience requirement to qualify.
   
   OR
   
   C. Combination: A combination of specialized experience and education that totals 100% of the experience requirement.
   
   GS-12
   A. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12 you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. NOTE: You may not substitute education for Specialized Experience at the GS-12 grade level.
   
   Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
   1) Analyzing and/or evaluating critical time-sensitive information regarding emergency management incidents; AND
   2) Applying emergency management procedures while working in an organization; AND
   3) Utilizing accepted emergency management systems such as: NIMS (National Incident Management System) ICS (Incident Command System) NRF (National Response Framework); AND
   4) Developing situational awareness products and disseminating that information to emergency management customers or stakeholders.
   Note: Applicants must meet ALL four specialized experience requirements to qualify as defined above.
   
   Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPMs website: qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

   Education

   Education: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education you are required to provide transcripts as proof of meeting the requirements.
   
   Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the specific educational requirements as stated above. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated visit: information

   Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e. physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations 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. 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 Reasonable Accommodation please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: who include vulgar offensive or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
   
   Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
   
   As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period (as applicable) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public 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.
   
   The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 USC Section 3302 and 3361.

   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.

   A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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