Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Project Officer (Emergency Management Specialist)

Salary: $54,181.00 – $82,387.00 Annually

Location : Dauphin County, PA

Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number: CS-2023-58977-76198

Department: Emergency Management Agency

Division: EM Mitigation Ins Rslnt Cmy Pr

Opening Date: 07/27/2023

Closing Date: 8/10/2023 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code: 76198

Position Number: 00262739

Union: FOP

Bargaining Unit: G4

Pay Group: ST07

Bureau / Division Code: 1620

Worksite Address: 1310 Elmerton Avenue

City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Zip Code: 17110

Contact Name: IED Intake Section

Contact Email: ra-oaiedintakesec@pa.gov

Bureau / Division: Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency / Mitigation, Insurance and Resilient Communities Programs Office

THE POSITION
Are you interested and up-to-the challenge in assisting survivors, their families and local communities in moving on with their lives after a disaster?

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) is actively recruiting for an energetic, empathetic and caring Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Project Officer. The ideal candidate for this position is an individual who wants to help people during what may be some of the most difficult times of their lives.

If this rewarding career sounds like an opportunity where you feel you would succeed and thrive, if you are a compassionate person who wants to make a difference, and if you meet the minimum requirements, the PEMA wants you to apply today!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The Emergency Management Mitigation, Insurance and Resilient Communities (MIRC) Office assists survivors of natural disasters through the management of disaster projects.

In this role, you meet and support those individuals who have experienced very bad days and do your best to assist them and their affected communities to move on from dreadful event(s). Through your effort’s individuals, neighborhoods, and communities, will become more resilient. In addition, you assist our agency in the assurance that these affected folks are better prepared should another event occur again in their communities. You use various mitigation project-types such as Home Acquisitions, Home Elevations, Home Mitigation/Reconstruction, flood proofing, nature-based solutions and planning to name a few to prevent further disasters.

You will not find a job more rewarding and satisfying then this opportunity presented before you! Additional details regarding the duties of this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5-hour work week.
• Work hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
  • Emergency deployments up to 12 hours per shift possible
• Telework: You may be eligible for part time telework after successful completion of a comprehensive on-site training and probationary period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.
• Free On-Site Parking!
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of experience in the development, coordination, or promotion of emergency-related programs such as disaster relief, public safety, and emergency management in government, industry, education, or the military; and a bachelor’s degree; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• 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.

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 and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at

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.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• 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.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short !

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, six weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

01

How many years of full-time professional experience do you have in the development, coordination, or promotion of emergency-related programs such as disaster relief, public safety, and emergency management in government, industry, education, or the military?

• A. Two or more years
• B. One year
• C. None

02

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

03

Have you completed graduate coursework in emergency management, disaster management, risk management, or closely related field?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the “Attachments” tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If you answer “yes” to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit and click on Other Information.

• Yes
• No

04

CS-INSTRUCTIONS You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each question carefully. Determine and select which “Level of Performance” most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The “Level of Performance” you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the “Yes” button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

05

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 – RESEARCHES, ANALYZES, AND VALIDATES DISASTER RECOVERY INFORMATION AND DATA Researches, analyzes, and validates damage assessment information and data concerning disaster recovery programs in order to provide disaster recovery assistance.
Levels of Performance

Select the “Level of Performance” which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience researching, analyzing, and validating damage assessment information and data for federal or state government concerning disaster recovery programs in order to provide disaster recovery assistance.
• B. I have experience researching, analyzing, and validating damage assessment information and data for a county government concerning disaster recovery programs in order to provide disaster recovery assistance.
• C. I have experience researching, analyzing, and validating damage assessment information and data for municipalities or schools concerning disaster recovery programs in order to provide disaster recovery assistance.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework in areas such as research methodology, analysis, critical thinking, or logic.
• E. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

06

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 – RESEARCHES, ANALYZES, AND VALIDATES DISASTER RECOVERY INFORMATION AND DATA (continued)In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The type(s) of information and data you researched, analyzed, and validated.
3. The area(s) for which you researched, analyzed, and validated information and data.
4. The actual duties you performed.
5. Your level of responsibility.

07

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to coursework or training, please provide the requested information below.

1. College/University/Training Source
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Hours

08

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 – DEVELOPING/DELIVERING EMERGENCY DISASTER RECOVERY TRAINING ACTIVITIESDevelops and delivers emergency disaster recovery training activities with emergency management officials, volunteer organizations, or private businesses.
Levels of Performance

Select the “Level of Performance” which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience DEVELOPING AND DELIVERING emergency disaster recovery training activities with state, county, municipal, and federal emergency management officials, volunteer organizations, or private businesses.
• B. I have experience DELIVERING emergency disaster recovery training activities with state, county, municipal, and federal emergency management officials, volunteer organizations, or private businesses. I have not developed this training.
• C. I have experience delivering emergency response training activities NOT RELATED TO DISASTER RECOVERY with state, county, municipal, and federal emergency management officials, volunteer organizations, or private businesses. I have not developed this training.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework or training related to this work behavior in such areas as emergency management and preparedness, or FEMA training.
• E. I have NO experience, coursework, or training related to this work behavior.

09

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 – DEVELOPING/DELIVERING EMERGENCY DISASTER RECOVERY TRAINING ACTIVITIES (continued)In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The training activities you delivered/developed.
3. To whom did you deliver these training activities (county, municipal, etc.).
4. The actual duties you performed.
5. Your level of responsibility.

10

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to coursework, please provide the requested information below.

1. College/University/Training Source
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

11

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 – COORDINATES DISASTER RECOVERY ACTIVITIESCoordinates the assignment, deployment, and demobilization of resources (such as equipment, personnel, special teams, etc.) to support emergency management officials in disaster recovery.
Levels of Performance

Select the “Level of Performance” which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience as a lead contact person coordinating the assignment, deployment, and demobilization of resources to support municipal, county, state, and federal emergency management officials in disaster recovery.
• B. I have experience as part of a group or committee coordinating the assignment, deployment, and demobilization of resources to support municipal, county, state, and federal emergency management officials in disaster recovery. I was not the lead contact person.
• C. I have experience as part of a group or committee coordinating the assignment, deployment, and demobilization of resources to support municipal, county, state, and federal emergency management officials in EMERGENCY RESPONSE, but not specifically in disaster recovery.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework or training related to this work behavior in such areas as emergency planning and preparedness, or FEMA training.
• E. I have NO experience, coursework, or training related to this work behavior.

12

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 – COORDINATES DISASTER RECOVERY ACTIVITIES (continued)In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The resources for which you coordinated assignment, deployment, and demobilization.
3. Who did these resources support (county, municipal, etc.).
4. The actual duties you performed.
5. Your level of responsibility.

13

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to coursework, please provide the requested information below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

14

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 – PROVIDES DISASTER RECOVERY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCEProvides emergency management-related technical assistance by interpreting and explaining laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to disaster recovery programs to government officials, other emergency responders, and citizens.
Levels of Performance

Select the “Level of Performance” which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience providing emergency management-related technical assistance by interpreting and explaining laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to disaster recovery programs to government officials, other emergency responders, and citizens.
• B. I have experience providing emergency management-related technical assistance by interpreting and explaining laws, regulations, policies, and procedures regarding emergency management programs, but not specifically disaster recovery programs, to interested parties.
• C. I have I have experience providing technical assistance not related to emergency or disaster recovery programs by interpreting and explaining laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• D. I have successfully completed college level coursework in communications, psychology, or public relations.
• E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

15

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 – PROVIDES DISASTER RECOVERY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (continued)In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The type of technical assistance you provided.
3. The actual duties you performed.
4. Your level of responsibility.

16

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to coursework, please provide the requested information below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

17

WORK BEHAVIOR 5 – DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECT EVALUATIONSAnalyzes post-disaster public infrastructure information for projects on roads, highways, and bridges. Analyzes information related to overall progress, work strategies, funding, cost estimation, policies, and procedures to identify program compliance, strengths, opportunities, and challenges. Recommends new or updated internal policies or procedures that support disaster recovery project goals and objectives.
Levels of Performance

Select the “Level of Performance” which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience analyzing post-disaster public infrastructure information for projects on roads, highways, and bridges. Information analyzed included overall progress, work strategies, funding, cost estimation, policies, and procedures to identify program compliance, strengths, opportunities, and challenges. I recommended new or updated internal policies or procedures that supported public infrastructure project goals and objectives.
• B. I have experience analyzing post-disaster debris removal project information related to overall progress, work strategies, funding, cost estimation, policies, and procedures to identify program compliance, strengths, opportunities, and challenges. I recommended new or updated internal policies or procedures that supported post-disaster debris removal project goals and objectives.
• C. I have experience analyzing information for various projects in a non-disaster related situation regarding overall progress, work strategies, funding, cost estimation, policies, and procedures to identify program compliance, strengths, opportunities, and challenges. I recommended new or updated internal policies or procedures that supported the program goals and objectives.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework in program project evaluation, program analysis, funds data analysis, statistics, logic, or business administration.
• E. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

18

WORK BEHAVIOR 5 – DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECT EVALUATIONS (continued)In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The type of project information you analyzed.
3. The actual duties you performed.
4. Your level of responsibility.

19

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to coursework, please provide the requested information below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

Required Question