The Federal Emergency Management Agency, better known as FEMA, offers a number of permanent positions, but it also hires temporary and part-time workers under its FEMA reservist program. This program is open to those with skills and experience in emergency management and those willing to make a commitment to remain with the program. When an emergency occurs, FEMA will contact some of those reservists and ask them to immediately come to the location of the emergency and provide support. Though it isn’t a permanent job, it does let those interested gain more experience with emergency management.
Who Can Be a Reservist?
Though the FEMA reservist program is open to anyone, those with experience and education get precedence. Dozens of colleges in the United States offer fire and emergency management undergraduate programs and similar degree programs that help prepare those interested in working for state, local and federal government agencies and those working for fire, police and emergency departments. The program has different types of jobs available that come with different qualifications and requirements. Some jobs might require three to five years of management experience or a graduate degree.
What Does a Reservist Do?
The FEMA program provides help and support to people in the midst of an emergency situation and those dealing with the aftermath of that situation. Reservists will arrive on the scene and take steps to identify the biggest problems and look for solutions to those problems. They might work with the Red Cross to get people into shelters, work with other nonprofit organizations to get locals clothing and supplies or find solutions to problems with the transportation system, highways or other places in town. Some reservists help stabilize damaged buildings, while others assist with repairing roads.
How Long Does Employment Last?
Those signing up for the reservist program must agree to remain on call for a period of two years. According to FEMA, the organization does it best to only call reservists for help once every year. Those who become part of the program must agree to spend a minimum of 30 days away from home and working in the field after receiving a phone call. There is a chance that a reservist might find himself or herself spending several months in the field. Many workers make arrangements with their place of business to take time off when needed. Those who deny a phone call will likely lose their spots in the program.
How to Apply
Like many government agencies, FEMA uses the USA Jobs system to hire new employees. Those interested in working for the agency must go to USA jobs and create an account. After uploading a resume, workers can browse the number of jobs available and apply for a job online. It can take several weeks or months before FEMA responds, but registered users will get a response within a few days if they do not meet the requirements for the job. Those selected for interviews need to attend an in person interview with a FEMA representative.
Related Resource: Emergency Medical Technician
FEMA provides help and support for citizens and towns after a wildfire, earthquake, flood, hurricane or any other type of emergency situation. It uses those with skills in various areas to take care of those problems quickly. As a FEMA reservist, you’ll have the opportunity to spend at least a month helping in the field.