People who are drawn to civil service and emergency management careers might wonder if they need a college degree to work for FEMA. The Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA was established in 1979 with an Executive Order signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. Since then, FEMA has helped American citizens recover from some of the deadliest and most damaging natural disasters in our nation’s history by providing shelter, clothing, food and emergency aid to victims of these crises. If you’re interested in working for FEMA whether on the field or in an administrative role, then read on for more information about the job requirements of this federal organization.
Major Job Qualifications
Working with an organization like FEMA requires more than a strong educational background because you can’t always learn emergency preparedness strategies from a theoretical standpoint. Practice makes perfect when it comes to this line of work. Prerequisites for a position with FEMA include the ability to think critically, make quick decisions, delegate responsibility and work well with a team. Keep in mind that not everyone who works for FEMA performs hands-on tasks in the field; thousands of FEMA workers across the country sit behind desks to administrate, organize field workers and make sure that operations run smoothly. These fields may require less practical training and more educational and business experience.
Educational Requirements
Do you need a college degree to work for FEMA? The answer to this question depends on the job you want within the organization. Like all federal programs and organizations, FEMA offers hundreds of different jobs that require varying levels of skill, training and expertise. For example, a Contract Specialist with FEMA is required to have a bachelor’s degree in any field or at least 24 semester hours in a relevant business field because this person is responsible for overseeing contract issues for the organization. Other positions may not require any post-secondary education but may require completion of training once hired. Good degrees for FEMA careers include civil engineering, EMT and related medical training, human resources, business and emergency preparedness. For more information on FEMA careers, visit the organization’s outline of available positions.
Opportunities for Students
While many FEMA positions don’t require a traditional four-year degree, some aspects of FEMA demand a strong educational background particularly when it comes to leadership. Introduced in 2010, the federal Pathways Program is an initiative based on President Obama’s desire to recruit students into civil service careers. FEMA participates in the Pathways Program by encouraging students from high school through post-graduate programs to apply for internships and fellowship programs in which they can gain experience and exposure to the real-world application of FEMA jobs. The Pathways Program is open to students and recent college graduates at all levels; interested students can read more about the program on FEMA’s website.
Related Resource: FEMA Reservist
What does FEMA look for in a job applicant? Aside from training and education, people who work for FEMA need to be willing to sacrifice time and effort to help total strangers recover from devastating loss. Not everyone will work in the field when disaster strikes, but FEMA demands people who can think clearly and act quickly to solve major problems. In short, you don’t need a college degree to work for FEMA; however, those with strong educational backgrounds may find easier access to the career path they desire within this organization.