Locals get preference for FEMA employment
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is hiring residents in central and northern Alabama to help with recovery from the April tornadoes.
The agency has hired 67 new employees in disaster recovery operations. The positions are short-term temporary jobs working in numerous areas of the recovery operation.
“Recovering from a disaster of this magnitude takes people working together on many different levels and in many different positions,” said Jeff Byard, state coordinating officer for the Joint Field Office in Birmingham. “A local workforce is an important element in successfully reaching our goals to recover from the storms and rebuild Alabama. If you are driven and committed to making your community and state a better place for all, I encourage you to consider these job opportunities.”
The positions are part of FEMA’s “local hire” workforce. FEMA has listed positions with the Alabama Career Center. Tara Hutchinson, spokesperson for the center, says that applicants may apply online at www.joblink.alabama.gov and log into their account. Applicants may create an account by clicking on “Find a Job,” then on “Create an Account.”
After logging in, click on “Search Jobs,” then “Advanced Job Search.” Scroll down and in the box saying “That are from this company,” enter “FEMA” and click “Search.”
Currently, there are two dozen job postings, including positions such as: Accountable Property/Inventory Specialist, Administrative Assistant/Report Writer, Communications Center Specialist, Customer Representative, Data Entry Clerk, Forklift Operator, GIS Specialist, Hazard Mitigation Specialist, Housing Program Specialist, IT Computer Specialist, IT Telecommunication Specialist, Logistics Specialist, Photographer/Videographer, Sign Language Interpreter and Training Specialist /Computer Instructor.
“We have stressed ever since the storms hit in April that we want Alabama workers, especially those who were left unemployed by the storms, to be given priority when hiring for storm cleanup,” Career Center Director Tom Surtees said. “It is our hope to help get these workers back on their feet as soon as possible.”
Dave Rickey, senior vice president for the Birmingham Business Alliance, said local employees will be an asset to the ongoing recovery operation.
“These employees possess not only the job skills but also knowledge of the communities in Alabama,” Rickey said. “They are a unique asset to the federal recovery effort.”
