In 2013, The United States witnessed a series of natural disasters. Among these were flooding in Colorado, wildfires in Idaho and California, and tornadoes in Oklahoma. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, responded to each of these events. It takes a special kind of person to work for FEMA, especially when directly assisting those impacted by natural disasters. FEMA draws employees from various sectors of work, as the needs that follow a natural disaster are very widespread. One of the obvious necessary components of FEMA’s work is that of public health. If you are interested in a career in public health, could a job at FEMA possibly be a good career path for you?
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What FEMA Is
FEMA is a government agency which works under the “umbrella” of the Office of Homeland Security. Being a government organization, FEMA jobs come with very good benefits. The primary focus of FEMA is mitigating national emergencies. Of the 7,000 people FEMA employs nationally, roughly 2,000 work on a full-time basis. Some of these jobs are considered permanent while others last for a specified period of time. This period of time can vary, but very often averages about two years. Before pursuing a public health job at FEMA, it is a good idea to think about what kind of position you are seeking. FEMA offers unique opportunities unlike many other organizations. However, they also offer a higher than normal number of non-permanent positions. This may be a good fit for those who like to travel or enjoy frequent change. Read on to learn more about the different job opportunities in public health that can be found at FEMA.
What Permanent Positions Does FEMA Offer In Public Health?![]()
The answer to this question depends on what kind of position you are looking for. If the position you are seeking in public health is one working with clients directly, then the answer is probably “very few to none.” Because FEMA‘s mission is in event response, the permanent jobs FEMA offers are reserved mainly for planners and administrators. Competition for these jobs is significant. Most of the permanent full time jobs involve relocation to Washington, DC, and are high level committee and advisory positions. If you are wanting to work in the public health sector and are open to administration positions, then it could be worthwhile to see what positions are available within the FEMA organization. Otherwise, those interested in a public health job at FEMA are more likely to find employment on more of a short term basis.
What Other Opportunities Are There for Public Health Careers in FEMA?
The other full-time job designation within FEMA is somewhat unusual, because although it is considered full time, it is not permanent. Instead, these positions last for a short time, and this time period can vary. FEMA calls these positions CORE jobs. Some end after a year and some may last for four years. These positions are usually in the areas of administration and planning, but there are sometimes other types of opportunities as well. The USA.Gov website, where these jobs are listed and where you can apply for them, posts these openings. Some examples of CORE jobs at FEMA are:
- Emergency Management Specialist. This CORE position lasts for two years with the option to extend depending on funding. This person is assigned to a specific location and works to plan for and coordinate emergency response programs in that particular city. They will work with other city officials as well as FEMA employees to provide training in order to prepare for disasters.
- Program Specialist. The position lasts for a maximum of two years. This person is assigned to the Incident Management Assistance Team. The Incident Management Assistance Team is a rapidly-deployable group that responds to large-scale incidents. They manage resources and plan for mitigation. The employee is also involved in training personnel and in assessing resources and procedures for response. The starting salary for this position is $92,259.
- Public Affairs Specialist. This position lasts two years. The employee is responsible for implementing communications systems at field offices during an emergency response. They are also responsible for managing content for emergency-specific websites and other media. The starting salary is $51,630.
These positions are some good examples of the openings available at this level. FEMA coordinates with other agencies such as The Red Cross and state public health departments to provide direct service. This means that similar public health disaster relief positions could be found within these related organizations.
Part Time or On-Call Opportunities
FEMA has two other job designations. One of these FEMA jobs categories is for reservists. Reservists work when called, meaning that they are called up at the time of disaster. Reservists work for a limited time during the scope of the emergency. Reservists can expect to travel regularly, and need to be able to be available to work whenever they are called upon. Reservists often work directly with survivors. They also provide direct service to the field offices. Reservists work a minimum of thirty days during an emergency, but the work is intermittent. Because of this, reservists must usually have another source of financial support. Working as a reservist for FEMA is a good option for a public health professional who is attracted to travel or is discontent with a “normal” job as a public health worker.
The other part time or on-call opportunity is temporary employment at the disaster scene. These jobs are for logistical workers, and they are often filled by temporary workers who are survivors themselves. A temporary local hire’s term of employment is 120 days, though it may be extended in 120-day increments. This position may not be a good fit for those looking to have a public health career with FEMA, as it is difficult to plan for. Additionally, it is more typical for these specific positions to be filled by temporary non-professional personnel who live nearby to the disaster area.
The bottom line is that there are many options with FEMA. Many FEMA career jobs are administrative and planning positions for which the competition is fierce. Other public health FEMA jobs are attractive, but may not offer the job security that you are looking for. If either of these options describe the Public Health career you envision, you can read more at the FEMA website and even apply there. Degrees in Environmental Health or Emergency Management would be an asset on your resume. In addition, some temporary assignments become permanent after satisfactory job performance.
MPH Staff
Updated July 2022