Emergency Management Trainee

Join the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) as an Emergency Management Trainee and become a key player in helping to support vital programs that aid communities after disasters. This exciting opportunity provides you with hands-on experience with response and recovery efforts while learning from skilled emergency management staff. Each day brings new challenges that build your confidence and abilities. Apply today to step into a role where your work supports the safety and resilience of the Commonwealth!

This position supports disaster recovery, human services programs, and emergency coordination activities across the Commonwealth. Here, you learn how to best assist with data collection, outreach, and program development to help communities respond to and recover from emergencies. As an Emergency Management Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Program Support: Assist with disaster recovery and human services programs including DRAP activities
• Data Collection: Gather and review damage assessments and documentation needed for disaster declarations
• Stakeholder Outreach: Promote programs, support voluntary agency partnerships and communicate with survivors
• Field Assistance: Participate in site visits, assessments and Disaster Recovery Center operations
• Training Development: Help create guides, manuals and materials for emergency response and recovery efforts
• Emergency Response: Carry out assignments during emergencies and support operations at the coordination center

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• In the event of an emergency/disaster situation or training exercise, this position may be required to travel, work up to 12-hour shifts, and work outside of the normal work hours, including weekends and overnights.
• Free and secure on-site parking.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time upon successful completion of the training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $51,971.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in emergency management, homeland security, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
  
  

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.
• All positions require certification in the following courses from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute, within 6 months of hire:
  • IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System
  • IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
  • IS-800.D: National Response Framework, An Introduction
  • IS-2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.