Field Operations Specialist at Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience (ODR&R) — Applications Closed

Job Description

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is hiring a Field Operations Specialist for its Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience (ODR&R) at the Field Operations Center West in Citrus Heights, California.

This GS-12 role serves as the lead SBA official in disaster areas, coordinating with federal, state, and local officials and overseeing all SBA activities and staff for Presidential disaster declarations.

You will represent SBA at Regional Interagency Steering Committee meetings, prepare written reports, and direct the interviewing of disaster survivors, assisting with application completion and screening disaster loan applications.

You will also coordinate with FEMA and state/local disaster staff to establish Disaster Recovery Centers and plan, develop, deliver, and evaluate training presentations using Microsoft Office Suite.

This position is ideal for experienced disaster recovery professionals who thrive in dynamic, high-stakes environments and are committed to helping communities rebuild after disasters.

Salary & Compensation

Salary: $99,218 - $128,987 per year.

Qualification

To qualify for this GS-12 Field Operations Specialist position, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector.

This experience must include implementing policies for a disaster or emergency program, leading field team operations, planning and delivering employee training, and assessing operational program needs. There is no education substitution for this grade level.

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 in the federal service, obtained in the private or public sector.
• Experience implementing policies, guidelines, and/or procedures for a disaster or emergency program.
• Experience leading or overseeing team operations in the field.
• Experience planning and delivering employee training.
• Experience assessing the needs of an operational program and adapting the appropriate mix of resources and skills.
• No education substitution for this grade level.
• All qualification requirements must be met by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/08/2026.
• Volunteer work, including through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps), is credited as qualifying experience.
• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You must successfully complete a background investigation.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead SBA official in the disaster area, coordinating with federal, state, and local officials.
• Oversee all SBA activities and staff for Presidential disaster declarations.
• Represent SBA at Regional Interagency Steering Committee meetings and prepare written reports.
• Direct the interviewing of disaster survivors, assisting with application completion and screening disaster loan applications (paper and electronic).
• Coordinate loan closings.
• Coordinate with FEMA and state/local disaster staff in planning and establishing Disaster Recovery Centers.
• Ensure SBA's needs are met at Disaster Recovery Centers.
• Plan, develop, deliver, and evaluate training presentations using Microsoft Office Suite.

Conditions & Requirements

• You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a government travel credit card.
• If required to travel to a disaster site, you may encounter hazardous working and/or living conditions (e.g., no water or electricity, minimal lodging).
• Mandatory overtime: substantial compensated overtime hours may be required while on assignment (up to seven days a week and ten to fourteen hours a day).
• Selective Service registration required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• SBA uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.

Benefits

• Complete benefits package as a federal employee, including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on position type (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).
• Telework may be available as determined by agency policy.
• Access to a range of benefits designed for federal careers.

How You Will Be Evaluated

1. Your application will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications.
2. Applicants meeting basic eligibility will be further evaluated using additional assessments, including the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment.
3. The USA Hire assessment measures competencies such as Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork.
4. You must meet or exceed the cut score on the USA Hire assessment to be considered.
5. Your application will be evaluated under the Category Rating method: Best-Qualified, Well-Qualified, or Qualified.
6. Veterans' preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are automatically placed in the Best Qualified category.
7. If you inflate your qualifications, your rating may be adjusted.
8. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL if the link is provided after the announcement closes.

Required Documents

• Resume: Must not include photographs, must not exceed 2 pages, and must include name, address, telephone number, email address; job title (if federal service, provide series and grade); hours worked per week and dates for any unpaid/volunteer experience; and specific details addressing the specialized experience required.
• Transcripts (unofficial or official) if using education to qualify (not applicable for this grade level, but submit if relevant).
• DD-214 Member Copy 4 or other proof of service for veterans' preference.
• SF-15 form and VA disability letter if claiming 10-point preference.
• CTAP/ICTAP/RPL documentation: RIF separation notice, SF-50 documenting separation, most recent SF-50 noting position/grade/location, and most recent performance appraisal.
• Any other supporting documents as applicable.

How to Apply

1. To apply, read the entire the official application portal and all instructions before beginning. Start by clicking the Apply Online button on the official application portal page. with your the official application portal and Login.gov account. Complete the online application and answer all questions presented. Attach all required documents, including your federal resume and any supporting forms. Click the Submit Ap…
2. You will receive a unique URL and must complete them within 48 hours if the link is provided after the announcement closes. Set aside at least 3 hours for the assessments. You can update your application and documents in your the official application portal account until the announcement closes. Ensure all documents are uploaded and included with your application before final submission.

Additional Information

• This is a non-Bargaining unit position.
• This is not a drug testing designated position.
• Reasonable accommodation requests for the USA Hire assessments must be submitted before starting the assessments.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Inter-Agency Career Transition Assistance (ICTAP) eligibility: must be a surplus or displaced federal employee, within the local commuting area, and rated well-qualified (score of 85 or better).
• Additional vacancies may be filled from this announcement within 180 days of certificate issuance.
• SBA uses E-Verify.
• Agency contact: Cindy Saechao, email [email protected].
• Address: Field Operations Center West - FOCW, 6501 Sylvan Road, Citrus Heights, CA 95610.

About Company

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a U.S. Government agency that supports small businesses and entrepreneurs through loans, counseling, and disaster recovery assistance. The Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience (ODR&R) leads SBA's disaster response efforts, providing low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses.

This position is based at the Field Operations Center West in Citrus Heights, CA, which coordinates disaster recovery operations across the western United States. Working here means joining a dedicated team that delivers critical aid to communities after natural disasters, offering a meaningful career in public service.