More Than 500 Jobs Listed By FEMA
Openings in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana
Release Date: August 21, 2006
Release Number: 1603-526
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Human resources officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) report that more than 500 additional jobs will be available for Louisiana residents to help with the recovery of the state from the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. At full staff, the agency expects to have a workforce of about 1,300 employees. About 750 jobs have either been filled or have offers pending. All other jobs are open.
"We are putting together a talented, diverse staff," said Phyllis Allison, director of human resources for FEMA's Transitional Recovery Office in Louisiana. "Our jobs have good pay and excellent benefits, including paid vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, paid overtime and retirement benefits." All jobs are two year appointments with a possible extension.
Job openings include many housing-related positions, staff support, field work, office work and other positions related to disaster recovery. Workers might be on foot one day and at a desk the next day. The work is always interesting.
FEMA is highly regarded as a multi-cultural employer. A typical FEMA work team might have men and women of many cultures, ages and physical abilities. "The thing they all have in common is a desire to help their neighbors recover from disaster," said Allison.
To view the job listings and apply for a job, visit www.fema.gov/career. You will need to follow the directions carefully to have your application considered. There are several important steps. To be offered a job, each applicant must do all of the following:
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Provide your Social Security number.
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Indicate the posting number for the job.
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State your preferred location if the job offers a choice.
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Write your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities-this essay is known as a KSA. It is an explanation of your specific work experience, education and skills related to the job. This document forms the basis of your rating for the job.
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Pass a suitability and background check including FBI fingerprint check.
To apply for more than one job, be sure to complete a separate application for each job. Successful applicants will be notified with a tentative job offer while the background check is being completed. If they accept, they will pledge an oath of office very similar to the oath pledged by the President of the United States.
"You know, this really is government for the people and by the people," said Allison. "Our Louisiana-based workforce will be perfect for the job ahead, and we're looking forward to having everybody on board very soon."
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 21-Aug-2006 09:42:15