Become a Planning Section Chief with FEMA: A Career in Emergency Management

Are you a problem-solver who thrives in high-stakes environments? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently seeking a highly skilled Emergency Management Specialist (Planning Section Chief Type II) to join the Region Nine Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT). This role is designed for professionals who want to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by disaster, providing leadership during the most critical phases of response and recovery.

Job Responsibilities

In this position, your duties will shift depending on whether you are deployed or at home base.

Deployed Assignments:

Coordinating federal recovery support for natural and man-made disasters.
Defining the operational organizational structure according to ICS standards.
Collaborating with state and local partners to unify planning efforts.
Disseminating accurate incident briefings and geospatial products to guide leaders.

Non-Deployed Assignments:

Developing and implementing full-cycle preparedness programs.
Providing technical planning expertise to internal and external stakeholders.
Developing agency doctrine for situational awareness and emergency planning.

Comparison: Deployed vs. Non-Deployed Focus

Feature	Deployed Status	Non-Deployed Status
Primary Focus	Incident Stabilization	Readiness & Training
Environment	Field Sites / Austere	Office / Headquarters
Collaboration	Direct Support to State/Local	Intra-agency/Inter-agency

Requirements

To be considered for this role, you must meet stringent federal criteria:

Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen.
Experience: One year of specialized experience at the IT-03 level (or equivalent).
Vetting: Ability to successfully pass a Moderate Risk background investigation.
Flexibility: Readiness for 24/7 on-call availability and extensive travel requirements.

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a competitive hourly wage ranging from $63.76 to $94.48. In addition to your salary, you will receive a comprehensive federal benefits package, including:

Extensive insurance options (Health, Dental, Vision, Life).
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Paid federal holidays and leave.
Professional training and development resources.

Application Tips

Resume Length: Your resume must be two pages or less. Overly long resumes will not be reviewed.
Detailing Experience: Use specific, measurable examples of your planning and coordination experience.
SF-50: If you are a current or former federal employee, ensure you upload your most recent SF-50 to support your grade level.

Serving as a Planning Section Chief with FEMA is a unique opportunity to apply your expertise to national-level challenges. If you are prepared to lead during disasters and help build a more resilient future, we encourage you to review the full requirements and submit your application today.

Why This Emergency Management Specialist (Planning Section Chief Type Ii) Job Matters

Ready to lead at the front lines of disaster response? FEMA is seeking a strategic Planning Section Chief to help communities recover and build resilience.

Emergency Management Specialist (Planning Section Chief Type Ii) Job Overview

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is looking for a dedicated Emergency Management Specialist to serve as a Planning Section Chief (Type II) within their Region Nine Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT). This is a critical two-year, temporary appointment under the Stafford Act. You will play a pivotal role in coordinating federal support during emergencies, facilitating unified planning efforts, and ensuring the success of disaster recovery operations. Whether in the field during a crisis or preparing at headquarters, your work will be central to keeping the nation safe.

Requirements for Emergency Management Specialist (Planning Section Chief Type Ii)

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the IT-03 level.
Experience in developing and managing Incident Action Plans (IAP) and incident objectives.
Proven track record of collaborating with federal, state, local, tribal, and nongovernmental partners.
Ability to analyze and disseminate critical incident information to decision-makers.
Must be able to pass a Moderate Risk background investigation.
Registration with the Selective Service (if applicable).
Ability to obtain and maintain a government travel card.
Willingness to travel on short notice and work in austere, disaster-affected environments.

Preferred Qualifications for Emergency Management Specialist (Planning Section Chief Type Ii)

Demonstrated ability to lead large inter-agency planning initiatives.
Proficiency in Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) methodologies.
Strong technical expertise in incident management and situational awareness doctrine.
Experience with complex resource allocation and staffing in high-pressure scenarios.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
✓Life and long-term care insurance.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (401k-style retirement).
✓Flexible Spending Accounts.
✓Paid federal holidays and personal leave.
✓Flexible work schedules and telework eligibility.
✓Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
✓Employee Assistance Programs and wellness support.

💡 How to Apply Emergency Management Specialist (Planning Section Chief Type Ii) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Emergency Management Specialist (Planning Section Chief Type Ii) Job

Review the full announcement details and requirements.
Prepare a resume that is strictly limited to two pages.
Visit the online application portal to register or log in.
Complete the required online assessment questionnaire.
Submit your resume and, if applicable, your SF-50 documentation.
Verify that all documents are legible and uploaded correctly.

💡 General Tips

Use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all federal requirements are met.
Do not copy and paste the job duties from the announcement; use your own words to describe your specific accomplishments.
Ensure your resume includes employment dates (MM/DD/YY), hours per week, and grade levels for previous federal positions.
Preview the questionnaire before starting the application to prepare your responses.
Keep your resume strictly to two pages or it will be rejected automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a permanent position?

No, this is a two-year temporary appointment in the excepted service under the Stafford Act. Renewals may be possible based on workload and funding.

What does an IMAT Planning Section Chief do when not deployed?

During non-deployment periods, you will focus on training, exercises, and evaluation programs to maintain team readiness, as well as lead deliberate and crisis action planning.

Is travel required?

Yes. This position requires deployment to disaster sites with little advance notice, potentially for weeks or months at a time.

Job from Federal Emergency Management Agency

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FEMA are dedicated to building a resilient nation. FEMA's mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters. As a member of an IMAT team, you will be part of the first wave of federal responders, working directly on the ground to stabilize critical infrastructure and save lives.