Working for FEMA

TheRollingHome · Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 Location: anywhere USA

I think I've found the ultimate fulltime RVer job: I work for FEMA as a reservist. I work when I want (as long as there is a disaster), I get paid an hourly wage that is roughly three times what I made as a workamper, I get time and a half for overtime, they pay my campsite, rent me a car and pay me non-taxable per diem. I work long hours for a few weeks and then it's over until the next time. I can make as much in one month doing this as my wife and I did together all summer as workampers.
And to top it all off, I'm working with folks who need someone to help them get going again after a life changing event. Good money and a feel good job too!
There are a number of fulltime and mostly part-time RVers working for FEMA.
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John
www.TheRollingHome.com

Chevy Colorado toad

cookone01 · Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Cheyenne WY

How did you get this job, and where do you sign up? DH and I are looking at our options, and he is a network administrator, and I'm a support functions manager.

We'd love to do something like this!
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Full-time wanna be! In the process of downsizing, getting rid of 'stuff'.

elh3946 · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1650 Location: Sioux Falls, SD

Here's one place to start: Citizen Corps

Maddog & Talullaa · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

I looked at the Citizens Corps page. It mentions volunteering. Are you paid for volunteering or did you make an application to specific skills? We are interested on where to look for this type of work too. Thanks for info...Talullaa

BuckF · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 18 Location: White Lake, MI

As a retired Heavy Equipment Operator and active firefighter/EMT, I would like some info on your FEMA job.
Thank you
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BuckN'Grace
Jeep Liberty Diesel
Blue Ox Alladin
Airstream 396XL

hitchup · Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:46 am Post subject:

I did some web research. This link has FAQ on FEMA's website. http://faq.fema.gov/cgi-bin/fema.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php

Actual job openings. http://www.fema.gov/career/publicSearch.do;jsessionid=0D97A3E4E260E2B2A0980F7ECE439259?action=Init
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2009 DRV Mobile Suite 38TKSB3 w/Island
2008 Ford F450 Lariat CC 4x4

Working Fulltimers since 2005

bnlfan · Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I am a volunteer fireman and went to work with FEMA during Katrina. All you have to do is contact the local regional office and see about submitting an application to become a Generalist. You will be sent to the nearest training facility to learn the basics needed. Then if you call the ADD system and update your availability, you are called as needed. Those who have not been out are the first to be called.

And there does not have to be an ongoing disaster to be called up.

My fire chief has been out to many places since Katrina. He comes home for a few days to one month at a time.

You are trained in depth for many jobs as a generalist as you go to the disaster. If you already have skills they can use, you will be called more. The more flexible you are, the better your chances of working.

You will have to go through a criminal background check, fingerprinted, and have the ability to obtain a credit card. If you cannot get a credit card normally, I wouldn't bother applying. You are issued a FEMA/DHS credit card to pay for travel, food, and shelter. Your hotel fees are paid by FEMA to the credit card along with the rental fee. You will get a set amount given to you for (per diem) each day you are out. The money is paid to you and you pay the credit card.

You have to call in and schedule a phone interview to submit receipts or to go into the local JFO (joint field office). It is best to do it every 2 weeks so that it doesn't get out of control.

I was told that they are actually paying you to use your own vehicle now. So, I would think you could use your RV and pull a vehicle behind you. Then you will get paid for use of your own car. From what I hear, the pay for using the car is very good.

When I worked there (technically I still do), I made almost $29.00 per hour straight time.

CalamityJaimie · Joined: 13 Sep 2008 Posts: 6

An RV friend is also doing this. She did tell me it took several months to get her application done properly and to be approved to go. Apparently certain things must be stated in a certain way. People at FEMA did help, but it did take awhile.

Jaimie
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Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
RVLifestyleExperts.com
Working on the RV Road blog at http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvwork

heyyou · Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 67

FEMA is evil...but if they're hiring, I could overlook that! Laughing

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www.sheavanwinkle.pieraidrecords.com

DXSMac · Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 619 Location: Pacific Northwest

Wow. I wonder if I can apply. I'm a retired Fed anyway. I retired in 2005 with a buyout, so I under the buyout rules, I cant work for the Feds for 5 years (until 2010).

JJ
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Please check out my blog on RV'ing without a tow car:

http://rvingtoadless.blogspot.com/

Feel free to leave me any comments.

Kirk · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:19 am Post subject:

CalamityJaimie,

I have known John for a long time and he has been very successful in his second career with FEMA. He is now a part of the management for the team working out of Austin, TX after several promotions. He joined FEMA just after the Kartina disaster.

I serve as coordinator for the Escapees Club's work-camping group and for whatever reasons John likes to let us know about his great job but has been very reluctant to help anyone in the group learn more about how to get hired. I have asked for such information from him several times but the answer has always been quite negative.

Bnlfan has been the most willing to help others find a position with FEMA that I am aware of. I have read several posts about positions with contractors who do inspections for FEMA but his is the first post that I have ever seen that tells people how to apply with FEMA.
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Good travelin !................Kirk
URL: www.adventure.1tree.net
Sent via Starband, Manual Flyer dish.

CalamityJaimie · Joined: 13 Sep 2008 Posts: 6

Kirk,
That is good information. I'm not sure why someone would be reluctant to share since once they are hired, their job is pretty secure. And, most people frankly do not want to go through the tedious process of getting a federal job.

It is a good way, though, to earn the big bucks per hour so you don't have to work the whole year!

Thanks for keeping the Escapees work-camping group going. It seemed difficult to get experienced RV workers to stay active and help others.

Jaimie
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Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
RVLifestyleExperts.com
Working on the RV Road blog at http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvwork