Are you preparing for an interview with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)? If yes, then you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the top FEMA interview questions and provide you with sample answers to help you ace your upcoming interview.
FEMA plays a crucial role in helping communities before, during, and after disasters. As an organization dedicated to emergency management, they seek candidates who possess the right skills, knowledge, and passion to contribute to their mission. Preparing for your FEMA interview is essential, as it will showcase your qualifications and compatibility with the agency’s values and goals.
In this article, we’ll cover a wide range of FEMA interview questions, including those related to your accomplishments, adaptability, behavioral traits, capabilities, career goals, communication skills, compatibility, competency, conflict resolution, creative thinking, direct questions, diversity, education, emotional intelligence, leadership, performance, problem-solving, salary expectations, stress management, and teamwork.
So, let’s dive in and explore these questions and answers to help you make a lasting impression during your FEMA interview.
1. Accomplishment Questions
Tell me about some of your proudest accomplishments.
This question allows the interviewer to assess your perception of success and your level of expertise based on the relevance of your accomplishments to the role you’re applying for. Be honest, confident, and sincere in your response. Consider using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your answer effectively.
Example answer: “Although my background is not as an emergency responder, I have worked in several leadership roles and thrive in high-paced and sometimes stressful situations. My talents and skills revolve around helping people, problem-solving, mentoring, and coaching, and I have a great deal of empathy. I feel drawn to leaping into action in emergency situations and have volunteered quite a bit. One of my proudest accomplishments was when I helped a woman deliver a baby. After the delivery, the paramedics arrived, and now we’re close friends.”
2. Adaptability Questions
How do you feel about having to travel for work?
“Deployment travel may be required, based upon agency needs,” as stated on FEMA’s website. Be familiar with the job requirements and determine if traveling or being deployed for an indeterminate amount of time aligns with your lifestyle and goals.
Example answer: “I have spent some time doing voluntourism. Most recently, I spent a month with a non-profit helping rebuild in Puerto Rico after the hurricane. I love to travel and love being where the locals are as well. I also love making a difference and revisiting these locales years later when they’ve recovered. So, having done my research and being prepared for what this position entails, I am prepared to travel and be deployed for the job.”
Are you willing to work in excess of eight hours a day or in excess of 40 hours in a given week, including weekends and holidays, and under stressful, physically demanding, and austere conditions?
FEMA positions may require varying work schedules, including full-time, part-time, shift work, intermittent, job share, or a combination of these. Be familiar with the work schedule requirements for the role you’re applying for and demonstrate your willingness to adapt to the demands of the job.
Example answer: “Over the years, I have worked many varying schedules which required rotating shifts, overtime, being on-call, and working waterfall schedules. I am no stranger to these types of demands and am able and willing to do what it takes to get the job done. I find that maintaining a positive attitude is all it takes to enjoy every moment of your life, no matter what you are doing or where you are.”
3. Behavioral Questions
How would you respond to witnessing a member of your team engaging in unethical conduct?
This question assesses your moral compass and ability to represent FEMA’s standards of ethics and professional conduct. Familiarize yourself with FEMA’s Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of Conduct for Emergency Management Professionals and align your response with their expectations.
Example answer: “I’d first look at it as a coaching and development opportunity for that individual. I would try to steer them clear of taking that path and guide them morally. But if that wasn’t possible, I would offer them the chance to come forward themselves in admitting to their unethical conduct so that they could preserve their dignity. But if that wasn’t possible either, I would come forward in reporting that behavior through the proper channels.”
4. Capability Questions
What would you aim to accomplish in your first few weeks on the job?
This question evaluates your work ethic, professionalism, and whether you prioritize the needs of the team over your own goals and ambitions. Familiarize yourself with FEMA’s onboarding and orientation process, as well as their capstone doctrine, Publication One (Pub 1), to demonstrate your preparedness and commitment to their mission.
Example answer: “Well, I’ve already started to prepare by learning about the onboarding and orientation process. I’ve started familiarizing myself with FEMA’s mission and organizational structure and look forward to learning more about the other resources offered. Hopefully, I could continue to get to know the others on my team, lean on them for their insights and experience, and get answers to all my questions while we get to know each other and start to build relationships. Hopefully, I’ll get some more insight in this interview by asking what to expect from management and human resources, the training to come, and any other recommended online courses or webinars I can be taking other than the ones I’ve already gotten under my belt.”
5. Career Goals Questions
Are you more interested in a Permanent Full Time position, Reservists position, or an On-Call Response/Recovery position?
FEMA offers three types of positions: Permanent Full-Time, Reservists (On-Call), and Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery (CORE). Familiarize yourself with the differences between these positions and express your interest in the one that aligns best with your career goals.
Example answer: “I am most interested in a permanent full-time position, but I understand that sometimes a person cannot start with that. So, I would gratefully accept any position that could transition into a permanent full-time position. But my goal is to be full-time.”
Tell me why you are the right fit for FEMA.
This question allows you to highlight your qualifications and explain why you’re an ideal candidate for FEMA. Showcase how your core values align with FEMA’s values and how your professional goals align with FEMA’s mission. Demonstrate your commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
Example answer: “I feel that I am the right fit for FEMA because I am not daunted by challenges, am ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice, and care deeply about helping people, regardless of the hour or conditions. I love helping prepare people for what could happen, helping them respond to a situation, and helping them recover. I have been there, and I have the strength to help carry others through it. It’s about being brave and doing the right thing.”
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Many FEMA positions require deployments that can last up to four years. This question assesses your commitment to FEMA and its mission. While it’s difficult to predict the future, demonstrate your sincere commitment to your immediate plans and your interest in advancing within FEMA or the Department of Homeland Security.
Example answer: “Ideally, 5 years from now, I would love to have had a few assignments under my belt and be offering enhanced training to those new to our teams. I’d like to see myself growing into a more prominent leadership role, supervising or managing a team. I feel like my career progression has already facilitated making this a possibility.”
6. Communication Questions
Tell me about a time you had to explain something complicated to someone in simpler terms.
This question evaluates your ability to communicate effectively with individuals who may be in distress or experiencing difficulty understanding FEMA’s assistance programs or available resources. Provide an example that demonstrates your empathy, active listening skills, and ability to adapt your communication style to meet the needs of the individual.
Example answer: “I find communicating complicated concepts is dependent on the person you are adapting your communication style to. For some, audio-visual is required, for others, analogies communicate better. Storytelling can sometimes be effective, but not as simple or short as other methods. I also believe that if you cannot explain it simply, you may not understand it well enough yourself.”
Tell me about your communication skills.
Strong communication skills are essential for most positions at FEMA. This question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and appropriately, in alignment with FEMA’s standards and core values, such as compassion, empathy, and active listening.
Example answer: “I feel my communication skills are strong – written, verbal, and nonverbal. I have strong active listening skills, I am emotionally intelligent, adaptable, and very empathetic. When possible, communication should be clear and concise, open, and receptive to questions or the need for clarification. I am always striving to improve.”
7. Compatibility Questions
What have you done to understand and reduce your natural hazard risk?
This question evaluates your familiarity with FEMA’s mission and resources, as well as your commitment to preparedness and risk reduction. Discuss the tools and resources you’ve explored on FEMA’s website and Ready.gov to prepare for emergencies and educate others in your community.
Example answer: “I have an emergency preparedness kit in my home, have an emergency phone tree for my friends, family, and PTA, as well. I have taken many of the webinars and have participated in many community outreach programs as well. I’ve explored FEMA’s collection of resources as well.”
What is your ethos?
Your ethos reflects your character, beliefs, and the attitude that defines your approach to work and life. This question assesses whether your ethos aligns with FEMA’s values and collective reputation as an organization dedicated to public service.
Example answer: “My ethos is staying true to my character. I consider myself extremely honest and have a lot of integrity. I believe in acting with courage, no matter how afraid you might be. I believe in not betraying myself or who I am, and always acting in a manner in which I could stand tall, proud, and true. Collectively, this is my ethos.”
Do you perform any volunteer work?
FEMA values individuals who contribute to their communities and embrace the agency’s altruistic values and behavioral anchors, such as “Service: Acts to help others; is altruistically motivated. Puts others first, operating beyond the ego.” Share any volunteer work you’ve done or plan to do in the future.
Example answer: “I believe in giving back to the community and have the highest record at my previous employer for the number of volunteer hours logged. My goal was always to hit a minimum goal of one volunteer day per month, more often once a week. Also, in my early twenties, I spent a year with the Peace Corps.”
What does integrity mean to you?
Integrity is one of FEMA’s core values. This question assesses your understanding of FEMA’s values and the character they expect from their employees. Familiarize yourself with FEMA’s Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of Conduct for Emergency Management Professionals to align your response with their expectations.
Example answer: “Integrity to me means earning trust by being accountable, present, honest, and dependable. It means being dependable and loyal, keeping your word, and being proud of your moral character. Being both honest and transparent. Holding yourself accountable, and being guided by doing the right thing.”
8. Competency Questions
What kind of disasters does FEMA respond to?
This question evaluates your knowledge of the types of disasters FEMA responds to and the disaster declaration process. Demonstrate your understanding of FEMA’s mission and the nature of emergencies they handle, such as natural disasters, man-made disasters, and situations that overwhelm state and local resources.
Example answer: “Any natural or man-made disaster that could potentially cause great damage to a community or infrastructure, endanger lives, or that causes damage of such severity that it is beyond the combined capabilities of state and local governments to respond.”
What do we face here at FEMA?
This question refers to FEMA’s capstone doctrine and their role in facing an evolving disaster landscape. Demonstrate your familiarity with FEMA’s mission and their commitment to implementing policies, developing plans, and executing processes that reduce risk and mitigate the loss of life and property.
Example answer: “We face an evolving disaster landscape of known and unknown threats and hazards requiring the implementation of policies, plans, and processes to reduce risk and mitigate the loss of life and property educating everyone on understanding their role in the system of emergency management, so we can together achieve our vision of a more prepared and resilient nation.”
What does FEMA do?
This question assesses your understanding of FEMA’s mission and responsibilities. Demonstrate your knowledge of FEMA’s role in planning for, responding to, and recovering from disasters, as well as their initiatives in areas such as preparedness, mitigation, and risk reduction.
Example answer: “At the very least, it is helping communities plan for, respond to, and recover from disasters. From educating to delivering aid and services, rescue efforts, and recovery.”
9. Conflict Questions
Tell me about a time you got in a disagreement with someone while on the job. What was the exchange, and how did it make you feel?
This question evaluates your interpersonal skills, communication abilities, diplomacy, and emotional intelligence. Choose an example that aligns with FEMA’s values and demonstrates your ability to resolve conflicts professionally and constructively.
Example answer: “The last time I got in a disagreement with someone on the job, we had a developing situation that was extremely high-stress, and we were up against difficult obstacles. One employee started visibly having a difficult time dealing with the stress of the situation and let their stress get the better of them. Instead of following my lead, they kept challenging my decisions on taking action, offering unestablished reasons why it wouldn’t work. Yet they weren’t offering any helpful alternate suggestions. The longer I gave them an audience for their skepticism, the more valuable time was being lost. So, I challenged them to come up with another course of action while the rest of us got to work. The more we collectively addressed the situation and solved problems, the closer we got to accomplishing our goals. After a while, the individual who didn’t believe anything could be done got a hold of their stress, apologized, and asked if they could help. I told them I understood, and that there was nothing to apologize for, and set them to a task. We got it done, and we all learned a lot from the experience. It was great.”
10. Creative Thinking Questions
Tell me about the last time you offered a creative solution to a problem at work.
This question evaluates your innovation and resourcefulness, both of which are valuable traits in emergency situations that often require thinking outside the box. Share an example that demonstrates your ability to think creatively and offer solutions that address the problem effectively.
Example answer: “Last month, I made some recommendations for our office to incorporate a stronger safety program. We were experiencing a lot of unnecessary injuries at work, not only due to our spaces not being very economically friendly but also poor storage techniques, among other reasons. It bothered me how wasteful of our company’s resources it was, and how it poorly reflected on how they valued the company’s staff. So, I presented a simple presentation to my supervisor, who then presented it to their boss, who then presented my idea to our head office. They implemented the program and had me spearhead it. A lot of people in our office commented on how much they liked the changes, and how that led to a redefining of our employee culture and values. It feels nice to be heard in the workplace, so I continue to keep my eyes out for opportunities for process improvements.”
11. Direct Questions
Are you willing to undergo a background investigation?
This question assesses your willingness to comply with FEMA’s background check requirements. Be transparent and provide any relevant context if necessary. Familiarize yourself with FEMA’s background investigation process and their recommendations for candidates, such as reviewing the “Mythbuster on Federal Hiring Policies” and the OPM Investigations website.
Example answer: “I can fully understand why FEMA would need to conduct a background check. I have a squeaky clean record and am happy to comply.”
12. Diversity Questions
We value diversity at FEMA. When have you worked amongst a diverse group of people?
FEMA recognizes the value of employing a diverse workforce that represents the populations they serve. This question evaluates your comfort level with working alongside diverse teams and serving diverse populations. Emphasize your experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and your ability to embrace and respect different perspectives.
Example answer: “I have worked with a variety of great people who I suppose could be classified as coming from diverse groups. Many of my supervisors could be considered diverse as well. I am familiar, comfortable, and happy working with, and for, interesting, innovative, and talented people, regardless of their background or lifestyle.”
13. Education Questions
Have you undergone any emergency preparedness training?
This question assesses your commitment to professional development and your familiarity with the training and education opportunities offered by FEMA. Share any relevant training or certifications you’ve completed, such as basic first aid, CPR, or FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training.
Example answer: “I have undergone some emergency preparedness training, including some of the webinars offered by FEMA and in-person courses and town hall meetings through my local community. I am CPR and basic first aid certified, and familiar with all of our local shelters and outreach programs
FEMA INTERVIEW
FAQ
How long does it take to get hired at FEMA?
