Cathy Jo (C.J.) Carter

Accomplished Program Specialist with a proven track record at the Department of Fire and Aviation, adept in strategic planning and project management. Excelled in implementing a critical $18 million contract, enhancing medical clearance processes. Renowned for exceptional communication skills and mentoring abilities, significantly improving operational efficiency and training programs.

Details and Training Experience

Fire Medical Qualification Program Specialist GS-0301-9

July 19, 2020 – November 7, 2020

40 hours per week

Washington Office, Department of Fire and Aviation

Boise, Idaho

Supervisor: Dr. Jennifer Symonds

Jennifer.symonds@usda.gov

208-387-5978

• Administered the eMedical Program, a web-based national Risk Assessment Tool for the

USFS that automates and streamlines the medical clearance process for fire and other incident

qualified employees who are required to take a fitness test

• Coordinated the implementation of the Arduous Medical Process (AMP), the program

eMedical will phase into 2023. Assisted the MPQ Manager in the development and

design of its complex short and long-range goals using a wide range of qualitative and/or

quantitative methods

• Planned, coordinated and carried out the successive steps in analysis of issues needed to

complete each phase of AMP. Authored written user guides for the new AMP for employees,

HSQ Coordinators, and Physicians to educate and facilitate a better understanding of the new

process and walk personnel through each phase

• Advised and informed Forest, Regional, and National-level management of functions,

changes and updates to the system

• Coordinated with and researched other agency medical standards and policy to appropriately

integrate non-FS personnel to the USFS eMedical system

• Prepared, managed and updated online documentation and hyperlinks, directing employees to

appropriate training and reference material

• Built and managed databases and compiled testing data associated with the program

• Maintained confidentiality of all PII, Privacy Act, and Employee Medical Record Information

• Conducted and administered website testing in both AMP test site as well as current site to

identify errors and areas needing improvement prior to updates being implemented live on the

website. Drafted and communicated recommendations for updates and corrections to

developers

• Provided responsive and essential guidance and technical assistance to physicians, employees,

HSQ Coordinators, and Fire Managers struggling with access and program-related issues

within the system. Interpreted policy and used judgement to decide appropriate course of

action for a wide variety of issues

• Compiled data and prepared written and verbal reports to supervisor, Fire and Aviation

Management personnel, as well as contractors and website developers.

• Researched a multitude of situations and data, gathered input from the field, analyzed and

defined identified problems, and applied and recommended effective solutions to keep

services operational and in adherence to policy

• Developed email templates to be incorporated into the AMP and sent to employees,

supervisors, and coordinators using the program.

• Reformatted existing user guides to reflect updates and changes to current system

• Used initiative to format and edit existing guidance documents and arranged for the

translation of reference documents to Spanish

Fire Medical Qualification Program Administrative Support

Specialist GS-0301-7

October 27, 2019 – February 29, 2020

November 11, 2018 – March 9, 2019

January 8, 2018- March 10, 2018

40 hours per week

Washington Office, Department of Fire and Aviation

Boise, Idaho

Supervisor: Dr. Jennifer Symonds

Jennifer.symonds@usda.gov

208-387-5978

• Assisted in the implementation of the eMedical Program, a web-based national Risk

Assessment Tool for the USFS that automates and streamlines the medical clearance process

for fire and other incident qualified employees who are required to take a fitness test.

• Subject Matter Expert (SME) with the eMedical Program and proficient in its use.

• Administered the eMedical help desk for 30,000 users. Oversaw and managed the user and

physician support of the eMedical program.

• Managed multiple databases, including a national physician database.

• Participated in website testing to identify errors and inconsistencies prior to updates being

implemented live on the website. Made recommendations for updates and corrections.

• Tasked with identifying, troubleshooting, and managing systemic errors and recurring glitches

with the live program. Coordinated with developers and Human Resource contacts to

eliminate those errors and repair access issues within the program.

• Provided responsive and essential guidance and technical assistance to employees and HSQ

Coordinators struggling with access and program-related issues within the system. Created

and designed response templates to user inquiries and implemented them into a national

program.

• Created and organized guidance documents/templates to be used by other help desk

administrators.

• Formatted guidance documents and arranged for the translation of reference documents to

Spanish for individuals who do not speak English as a primary language.

• Reviewed and updated online documentation and hyperlinks, directing employees to

appropriate websites and reference material.

• Assisted with developing the Risk Management 101 curriculum development, working to

disseminate information on a Just Culture and the use and implementation of Risk

Assessments.

• Participated in weekly national meetings with Risk Management personnel.

Lead Training Coordinator- GS-0462-7

March 2019-May 2019

Southwest Idaho Fire Training (SWIFT) Basic Fire School

• Coordinated training of 60+ new firefighters from USFS, BLM, IDL and independent

contractors in basic fire school classes and practical fire knowledge.

• Overhauled and organized format and structure of existing program by recreating agenda to

include new, pertinent information for students such as Stress First Aid training to prepare

firefighters for mental/emotional job challenges, more frequent hands-on activities instead of

a single field day, and development of a panel discussion to expose new firefighters to the

students to different career options and ask questions about work/life balance concerns.

• Managed course training of S-131, S-190, L-180 and evaluate both instruction and

performance.

• Designed new field exercises to incorporate teaching students firing devices, fire equipment,

medical gear, tool use and maintenance, etc.

• Coordinated and administered Work Capacity Test for new fire students.

• Recruited and assembled interagency resources to teach courses, act in capacity of Crew Boss,

and participate in field courses. Organized personnel to fill positions in both an ICT3 Team

and RXB2 structure for burn day.

• Prepared and executed briefings and presentations to students and overhead throughout the

• week.

• Scouted new ground within a burn unit to create and execute a simulated fire/“burn day” for

students, allowing them to experience live fire activity in a controlled setting, practice digging

handline, and simulate a large fire incident using prescribed fire.

• Collected and organized all necessary training materials, ordered fire gear for students to use

for the week, compiled necessary paperwork for weeklong basic fire school, including:

schedules, contacts, logistical information, testing materials, etc.

• Coordinated with College of Western Idaho, as well as BLM and Forest Service Training

Officers for logistical needs for the week and facility use and regulations.

Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program –Instructor

January 28-29, 2021

January 27-February 2, 2020

February 13-15, 2019

Wildland Fire Apprenticeship Program

Sacramento, California

• Taught L-280 Leadership class as part of a consistent cadre at the WFAP Academy.

• Unit Instructor for first virtual presentation of S-231 Engine Boss via Zoom for WFAP.

• Updated and recreated existing content in assigned units using Prezi and other media to be more

interactive and engaging while still meeting objectives: incorporating additional visual and

aural aids as well as physical activities/games to appeal to a larger population of adult learners.

• Implemented creative techniques to engage online adult learners while meeting objectives.

• Taught Business Management course at the WFAP Academy which included how to navigate

Paycheck 8, ETS2 (travel program), as well as ConnectHR and various other administrative

programs.

• Assimilated powerpoint, Prezi, and classroom presentation with hands-on activities in computer

lab to provide students with an opportunity to put their knowledge into practice.

Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program -Crew Boss

March 12 - April 14, 2018

Wildland Fire Apprenticeship Program

Solon Dixon Forestry Center, Alabama

· Mentored up to 20 Apprentices as their Crew Boss while they attended Foundational Academy #5 in Andalusia, Alabama at the Solon Dixon Forestry Center.

· Assisted students with classwork, scheduling, and physical training. Measured and tracked student’s progress through evaluations and physical testing.

· Encouraged students to use their time at SDFC to develop and hone leadership, networking, and fire skills.

· Led crew in prescribed burn on the Conecuh National Forest in AL. Assisted in firing and holding operations on 969 Acre burn.

· Trained and mentored crew boss trainee.

M-410 Facilitative Instructor Cadre Member/Lead Instructor

December 4-8, 2023 (Unit)

December 5-9, 2022 (Unit)

November 14-18, 2022 (Lead)

December 6-10, 2021 (Unit)

May 24-28, 2021 (Lead)

March 29-April 2, 2021 (Unit)

January 4-8, 2021 (Unit)

October 31-November 4, 2016 (Unit)

Great Basin Training Center

NIFC Campus/Boise, ID