EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Updated: Jun 02, 2025 - The Emergency Management Specialist demonstrated expertise in risk management and critical thinking, with a proven ability to apply these skills to support emergency management (EM) functions. This position requires proficiency in independently developing, explaining, and implementing EM policies while effectively analyzing and resolving problems with minimal guidance. This role requires strong communication, organizational, and customer service skills, backed by experience in evaluating new concepts, improving program performance, and using Microsoft Office Suite tools.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Emergency Management Specialist Resume
  • Disaster Planning
  • Risk Assessment
  • Emergency Response Coordination
  • Incident Command System
  • Crisis Communication
  • Hazard Mitigation
  • Continuity of Operations Planning
  • GIS Mapping
  • Emergency Preparedness Training
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Problem-Solving
  • Decision-Making
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Adaptability
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Time Management
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Stress Management

Summary of Emergency Management Specialist Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Emergency Management with 4 years of Experience

  • Experience in Microsoft programs, including Word, Excel, and TEAMS
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy
  • Ability to pass a pre-placement drug test and participate in an ongoing random drug testing program.
  • Experience with emergency management technical planning basis.
  • Familiarity with systems such as NARAC, HOTSPOT, and EPIcode
  • Highly organized and able to prioritize and schedule multiple activities.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with senior management and a wide variety and level of staff.
  • Ability to effectively communicate and interface with Federal, State, and Local government agencies.
  • Ability to represent VMFH and assigned facilities on local, regional and state committees and task forces convened to prepare and promote disaster/emergency management initiatives/activities.
  • Ability to provide emergency preparedness/response training to VMFH staff, management, and providers (e.g., chemical decontamination, personal preparedness, etc.).
  • Ability to conduct research, gather best practice information, conduct site-based assessments and facilitate meetings for the development of site-based disaster/emergency management planning and implementation in coordination with the master VMFH plans.
  • Ability to coordinate the execution of site-based emergency management plans/programs in the event of an actual disaster or emergency, and supports VMFH master plan activation.
  • Ability to maintain and provide disaster-related supplies/equipment inventory/documentation, following system processes for maintaining equipment records, in accordance with grant requirements.
  • Ability to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and grant provisions.

2. BA in Homeland Security with 3 years of Experience

  • Experience in a field relevant to disaster and emergency management programs.
  • Knowledge of applicable programs and services, legislation, and policies as well as issues in federal emergency response.
  • Knowledge of all Salvation Army emergency social services, primary services programs, EDS programs and Salvation Army Social Service programs
  • Bilingualism, English and French
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Excellent crisis and conflict management skills
  • Demonstrated ability to quickly build strong, trust-based relationships with senior leaders and key stakeholders
  • Proven success in building and leading diverse, cross-functional teams focused on a common goal
  • Demonstrated teamwork and leadership skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work in stressful high-paced environments
  • Strong organization and administrative skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, including PowerPoint

3. BS in Public Safety Administration with 5 years of Experience

  • Demonstrated risk management and critical thinking skills supported by experience and a proven track record of applying these skills.
  • Ability to independently perform a wide range of EM support functions, requiring vision, leadership, and proficiency in developing, explaining and implementing EM policy.
  • Ability to work from an Agency perspective for problem identification, analysis and resolution.
  • Ability to identify problems, analyze them and recommend solutions with minimal guidance.
  • Strong organizational and customer service skills.
  • Strong ability to communicate orally and in writing (technical and non-technical).
  • Experience in research and evaluation of new concepts and processes to improve EM Program performance.
  • Experience in analyzing cross-functional problem sets, identifying root causes and resolving issues.
  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
  • Completed FEMA-approved Incident Command System (ICS) training (e.g., ICS-100/200/300/400/700/800) within 180 days
  • Basic understanding of Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense
  • Knowledge of the NGA mission and organization

4. BA in Disaster Management with 4 years of Experience

  • Experience in developing and analyzing metrics used to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of emergency preparedness programs.
  • Experience in maintaining emergency management plans, conducting exercises, managing training, facilitating meetings, and presenting and reporting methods and procedures to accomplish the mission or task.
  • Experience in providing advice, guidance and policy assistance to various agencies and international work groups related to emergency preparedness programs.
  • Experience in establishing and maintaining liaison with other agencies and performing inter/intra-agency coordination work.
  • Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). 
  • Ability to help build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. 
  • Experience with receiving credit for all qualifying, including volunteer experience.
  • Ability to authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. .
  • Ability to to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. 
  • The ability to respond on the form could pose a problem with suitability for employment determinations. 

5. BS in Environmental Science with 6 years of Experience

  • Experience in analyzing and evaluating the program’s effectiveness to ensure compliance with pertinent laws, regulations, policies, and procedures
  • Experience in applying expertise in the structural, mechanical, and electrical components involved in manufactured homes
  • Experience in supervising and leading a team
  • Experience in collaborating with and fostering a good working relationship with internal stakeholders to develop an implementation plan for manufactured housing.
  • Knowledge of local, state, military, and federal planning and operating procedures, including the ICS and NIMS.
  • Ability to apply appropriate techniques and resources to emergency situations and planned drills.
  • Ability to sustain the effectiveness, coordination, and alignment of operations and resources during emergency situations and planned drills.
  • Ability to assess the effectiveness of emergency management plans, programs, drills, and response to actual emergencies.
  • Familiarity with shipyard functions and structure.
  • Ability to remain calm and make quick decisions under pressure.
  • Excellent strategic planning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong communication skills.

6. BA in Fire and Emergency Services with 4 years of Experience

  • Understanding of the FEMA six-step planning process, emergency management exercise programs, and principles.
  • Successful completion of Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses (such as through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute classroom and/or online training programs) and recognized training and/or education in emergency management, public health, continuity, and/or strategic planning.
  • Successful completion of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) training.
  • Familiarity with FEMA Homeland Security grant programs
  • Certified instructor from a police or fire academy 
  • Understanding of basic project management concepts including client management and performing to the project scope and timeline under the guidance of the project manager.
  • Able to work independently and effectively coordinate projects at the ground level on a daily basis on behalf of the project manager.
  • Ability to establish priorities to complete work in a timely manner, despite changes in workload or assignment, pressure of deadlines, or competing priorities.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint).
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills, and works well within a team structure.
  • Experience reaching consensus with multiple stakeholders that have different goals and opinions.
  • Excellent time management, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

7. BS in Public Health with 5 years of Experience

  • Experience in the transit/rail industry.
  • Knowledge of heneral principles, practices, and procedures of business administration and public administration.
  • Methods and techniques of data collection, research, and report preparation, and financial analysis.
  • Knowledge of organizational principles and management practices including the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the National Response Framework (NRF), the National Preparedness Goals (NPG) and the National Recovery Framework.
  • Knowledge of all-hazard preparedness, response, and recovery impacts and planning issues.
  • Knowledge of ICS and EOC operations.
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of research and evaluation methods and statistical analysis.
  • Knowledge of current planning principles, methods, and techniques.
  • Knowledge of modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
  • Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Knowledge of methods, techniques and principles, of developing and conducting adult training programs.
  • Experience with recent developments, current literature, and information related to trends in emergency management.
  • Experience with principles of business letter writing and report preparation.

8. BA in Crisis and Disaster Management with 4 years of Experience

  • Strong English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
  • Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
  • Experience in utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
  • Experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other division staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
  • Experience in interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
  • Experience in interpreting and applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations to ensure compliance.
  • Experience in applying principles and practices of emergency management.
  • Experience with Public speaking and in developing and delivering presentations and presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing to various individuals such as employees, internal agency management, the general public, elected officials, community leaders, and local, state, and federal agencies.
  • Experience in monitoring emergency management programs and recommending adjustments.
  • Experience in identifying emergency management training needs.
  • Experience in working cooperatively with other divisions, Agency officials, and outside agencies.
  • Experience in maintaining confidentiality of information.
  • Experience in working effectively under pressure, meeting deadlines, and adjusting to changing priorities.

9. BS in Sociology with 3 years of Experience

  • Ability to assist in the development, coordination and training and exercise of university emergency preparedness programs.
  • Ability to assist with the development, implementation and periodic review of campus emergency management programs.
  • Ability to coordinate emergency planning across campus.
  • Ability to recommend materials, supplies, and procedures
  • Ability to develop training plans and documentation on the topics of emergency management, preparedness, and operations.
  • Ability to conduct regular training, information sessions, and exercises for the campus community.
  • Ability to coordinate campus-wide preparations and activities in the event of an emergency and assist in the implementation of emergency plans.
  • Ability to assist with the development and maintenance of the University's Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
  • Ability to identify appropriate communication and alert notification methods and works with appropriate parties to ensure maintenance and upgrades.
  • Ability to maintain a master contact list for emergency response and support within the university community and surrounding areas.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
  • Strong communication skills and demonstrate excellent oral and written communication as well as interpersonal relations skills.
  • Be organized, task-oriented, and able to execute deadline-driven projects.
  • Experience working in a higher education institution
  • Ability to obtain certificates of IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800.
  • Completion of ICS 300 and ICS 400
  • Completion of both ICS 300 and ICS 400
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