FEMA hiring workers to help with flood recovery

Temporary hires will add local insight to assistance process

[May 31, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- With 25 Illinois counties declared federal disaster areas for April flooding, getting federal aid to thousands of people affected is a big job. The Federal Emergency Management Agency deployed hundreds of people from across the country to help with the effort. Now they're looking for Illinois residents to assist with the process.

FEMA currently is seeking temporary, full-time workers in such areas as finance and administration, writing and public information, planning, individual disaster assistance, information technology, and logistics. Most of the 78 jobs will be located in Aurora, with others located in the areas affected by flooding.

"These jobs offer the opportunity to help your community recover from flooding while receiving a paycheck and valuable professional experience," Gov. Pat Quinn said. "Your insight into how this disaster affected your community can help FEMA better serve the needs of your friends, family and neighbors who are trying to rebuild their lives."

Applications for the full-time, temporary jobs can be submitted through the Illinois Department of Employment Security website at IllinoisJobLink.com. Enter "FEMA" into the keyword search to locate the available positions. People in DuPage and Cook counties also may apply by emailing their resume to [e-mail]. Applicants must include the local hire job order number and job title in the subject line of the email and on their attached resume.

Job candidates must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older, and possess a high school diploma or GED. Individuals will be required to pass a background investigation that includes fingerprinting and credit check, be able to furnish their own transportation to and from work, and live within 50 miles of the employing office. Employees are also required to participate in mandatory direct deposit/electronic funds transfer for salary payment.

"These floods affected thousands of people," said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. "Helping them recover is a big job. These FEMA positions are a great opportunity to be a part of that recovery and make a difference for your community and other communities hit by flooding."

To date, more than $62.5 million in federal aid has been approved for people affected by the floods.

[Text from Illinois Emergency Management Agency file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]