Emergency Manager Exchange

Program Details

Nomination Instructions

Available Assignments

The Emergency Manager Exchange (EMX) Program brings state, local, tribal and territorial emergency managers and government officials to Washington, D.C. to work with FEMA leadership on the development and implementation of policies and programs.

When the participating government organization sends their employee to work at FEMA, a permanent FEMA employee will be sent to support the non-federal government office or program in return. The FEMA employee will work to address capability gaps identified by the non-federal government organization in their nomination letter.

These are full-time, paid assignments and participants should expect to work 40 hours per week for FEMA. The exchange duration is 6 months. Entrance on Duty (EOD) is based upon completion of all onboarding documentation.

FEMA will reimburse the participant’s home organization for the cost of the participant’s salary, (up to $66.54 per hour) plus benefits, for the duration of the assignment.

FEMA will also cover travel costs and federal per diem, to the extent authorized under the Federal Travel Regulation.

Depending on the nature of the work assignment, participants will work in-person at FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C., from one of FEMA's Regional Offices or share the time between their home organization’s work location and a FEMA office.

Participants must work from the FEMA office a minimum of one week per month. 

Consistent with federal ethics obligations and guidance, while at FEMA, non-federal government exchange participants may not work on issues that directly involve their home jurisdiction of employment.

Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program, which allows for temporary assignment of personnel between the federal government and other governmental entities and eligible organizations.  

Anyone selected to participate will be required to enter into an Assignment Agreement (OF-69) with FEMA outlining the specific requirements of the assignment.

Applicants must be nominated by their home organization. To nominate an employee from your state, local, tribal or territorial government organization for the exchange, please prepare a nomination package that includes the following information

1. Nominations Letter containing:
   • Nominating office point of contact’s phone and email address. This should be the nominees supervisor or someone in a higher-level leadership position
   • Explanation of why the candidate is nominated for the exchange
   • FEMA position your candidate would fill (available positions listed below)
   • Emergency management capability gaps within your organization that a visiting FEMA employee might support while your nominee works at FEMA.
2. Nominee’s resume including:
   • Contact information (phone and email)
   • Relevant experiences

The Nomination Period was from Aug. 26 until Sept. 30, 2024 and is now closed.

Submit the completed package to FEMA-EMX-Nominations@fema.dhs.gov. 

After your governmental organization submits a nomination, a member of the FEMA team will contact your office to confirm the nomination and may later contact your nominee directly if they are selected for an interview. 

Participants in EMX who work in the Office of Response and Recovery (ORR) will provide guidance, leadership and oversight in disaster support. They’ll be instrumental in supporting coordination with state, local tribal and territorial governments. This work will help save lives, reduce suffering, protect property and help communities recover from disasters.  

Participants will get the opportunity to coordinate with programs and initiatives across the agency.