WHAT DOES AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST DO?

Updated: Jun 02, 2025 - The Emergency Management Specialist advises on mission assignments, maintains Mission Assignment Specialist files, and ensures the timely billing and closeouts of completed mission assignments. This position oversees regional and disaster spending plans while coordinating disaster recovery efforts through Interagency Recovery Coordination and providing technical guidance on mitigation strategies. This role leads regional training, integrates lessons learned from previous operations, and ensures the development of sound mitigation strategies for reducing vulnerability to future hazards.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Emergency Management Specialist

1. Emergency Management Specialist Duties

  • Reporting and Analysis: Reporting to the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) and/or Unified Coordination Group (UCG) responsible for the collection, evaluation, dissemination, and use of information about the incident and status of resources.
  • Incident Planning: Managing the Baseline Planning staffing requirements for a Level 2 incident being managed geographically, with up to three branches and between two and four functional task forces and directs the actions of Planning Unit Leaders Transition Plan, Closeout Plan, Demobilization Plan to the Demobilization Unit and other plans.
  • Plan Development: Managing the development of assigned plans and the Incident Action Planning (IAP) process.
  • Staff Coordination: Coordinating staffing needs with the operations leaders, relays requirements to the Cadre Manager, and contacts Unit Leaders to discuss the situation and determine minimum staffing and experience requirements.
  • Program Coordination: Facilitating inter-agency, cross-functional, and intra-agency program coordination of strategic, operational, and tactical objectives and situational reporting for the incident.
  • Emergency Response: Support the Emergency Management team in servicing clients preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters nationwide.
  • Deployment Operations: Deploy to Emergency Operations Center and/or Field Staging Area operations prior to, during, and post-disaster.
  • Operational Support: Perform a variety of duties including logistics, supply, cost/documentation, and/or resource unit functions.
  • Training and Development: Attend periodic training throughout the year to maintain deployment eligibility.
  • Project Management: Support Emergency Management Project Management functions

2. Emergency Management Specialist Details

  • Policy Implementation: Implement and execute Emergency Management (EM) policies and governance that deliver and sustain an integrated EM program that complies with all DoD and The Client's directed program elements.
  • CBRNE Expertise: Provides CBRNE expertise in support of the core Site Management and Agency CBRNE Defense program.
  • Emergency Management: Provides support on all matters pertaining to emergency management and implements the Agency’s Emergency Management Program.
  • Plan Review and Integration: Review and update Emergency Operations Plans (EOP), incorporate EOP with other applicable site plans (e.g., Police Response, Safety, and Transportation), Agency EM guidance, or other Agency-level plans (e.g., Continuity plans).
  • Risk Analysis: Conduct Capabilities Assessments and Hazard Analysis.
  • Exercise Documentation: Document the execution and results of the exercise plan, identify lessons learned, and develop and monitor timely and effective corrective actions for incorporation into plans and procedures.
  • Reporting: Create or develop reports, briefings, and/or assessments supporting the EM program.
  • Record Management: Maintain and archive files and records within the greater EM Program Record Management plan.
  • Group Facilitation: Facilitate and participate in numerous Emergency Management related working groups.
  • Training Coordination: Facilitate emergency management training and collaboration events.
  • EOC Management: Maintain site Emergency Operations Center (EOC) locations, including facilitating EOC activations.
  • Program Leadership: Perform a wide range of EM functions which require vision, leadership, and proficiency in developing, explaining, and implementing EM policy.
  • Strategic Analysis: Apply strategic thinking and perspective for problem identification, issue analysis, and resolution.
  • Problem Solving: Analyze cross-functional problem sets, identify root causes, and resolve issues.
  • Incident Response: Support incident response management.

3. Emergency Management Specialist Responsibilities

  • Mission Assignment Management: Advising on mission assignments, organizing, and maintaining Mission Assignment Specialist files and ensuring billing and closeouts of completed mission assignments.
  • Deployment Support: Deploying to assist the Region and the Cadre.
  • Data Management: Updating regional mission assignment information to reflect changes to the mission assignment program.
  • Training Leadership: Leading and conducting regional training and processes for FEMA staff and state counterparts.
  • Operational Coordination: Coordinating responses to and incorporating lessons learned from closeout activities and ongoing disaster support into ongoing and future operations.
  • Financial Oversight: Overseeing regional and disaster spending plans, development, and long-term funding requirements.
  • Team Leadership: Providing direction to the Mission Assignment Specialist.
  • Technical Advisory: Providing technical advice and guidance to State, Tribal, and local officials in the development of sound mitigation strategies through planning to reduce vulnerability to future hazards, including floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, and other emergency-related events.
  • Plan Evaluation: Reviewing and evaluating multi-hazard mitigation plans submitted by State, Tribal, and local governments for FEMA approval.
  • Recovery Coordination: Coordinating and managing disaster recovery efforts through Interagency Recovery Coordination.
  • Mitigation Strategy: Advising on mitigation strategies.
  • Program Planning: Planning and establishing short and long-term objectives for assigned programs.
  • Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinating with stakeholders to organize Interagency Recovery Coordination programs.

4. Emergency Management Specialist Job Summary

  • Service Management: Direct, manage, and grow emergency management services and support spill response services in the Midwest and surrounding areas.
  • Emergency Services Delivery: Direct, manage, and contribute to the delivery of emergency management (EM) services such as response/regulatory planning, training, exercises, Incident Command System (ICS) management, and assessments (After Action Reports [AAR] and Hazard, Risk Vulnerability, Capability Assessments [HRVCA]).
  • Partnership Development: Develop partnerships with local/regional Oil Spill Recovery Organizations (OSRO) to provide support services such as air monitoring, environmental sampling, documentation, risk assessment, ICS management, Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Technique (SCAT), waste management, etc.
  • Technical Writing: Prepare technical correspondence, project proposals, technical reports, work plans, and project specifications including cost estimates and budgets - Data compilation, reduction, interpretation, evaluation/comparison to regulatory standards.
  • Project Coordination: Coordinate small- to large-scale projects including maintenance of project schedules and budgets and coordination of project staff.
  • Incident Response: Respond to emergencies to conduct and manage Incident Management Team (IMT) functions and support local field staff performing inspection, maintenance, monitoring, construction oversight, air monitoring, UAV operations, and sampling at the project site.
  • Emergency Response: Support the Emergency Management team in servicing clients preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters nationwide.
  • Field Operations: Perform Emergency Operations Center and Field Staging Area operations prior to, during, and post-disaster.
  • Business Development: Support business development efforts for existing/new client opportunities.
  • System Development: Support system development and implementation of programs for use during a disaster.
  • Project Management: Support Emergency Management Project Management functions.
  • Ethical Decision-Making: Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, adhering to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.

5. Emergency Management Specialist Accountabilities

  • Program Coordination: Work with departmental leaders to coordinate and support the Emergency Management program.
  • Project Support: Assist with current project management work plans and provide input and feedback on future or new initiatives.
  • Meeting Facilitation: Facilitate regular meetings, completion of work plans, and training initiatives.
  • Progress Reporting: Manage and report progress, successes, and issues to the Director of Emergency Management.
  • Interdisciplinary Advocacy: Advocate interdisciplinary participation in all project efforts.
  • Training Support: Support BMC EM training and planning initiatives.
  • Workgroup Management: Facilitate workgroup activities, manage and report progress.
  • Trainer Coordination: Identify external trainers and ensure they are effectively prepared to facilitate training courses.
  • Committee Participation: Participate as a member in organizational Committees and Councils.
Relevant Information
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