Disaster Recovery Specialist III (On-call)

The Disaster Recovery Specialist III (DRS III) will support Witt O’Brien’s Infrastructure Practice with its disaster recovery efforts, working hand-in-hand with federal, state, and local governments; private non-profits; and other representatives to guide them through the recovery process. Recovery programs include but are not limited to FEMA Public Assistance (PA), Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), and programs funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

WOB's Disaster Recovery Specialist III prepares FEMA Project Worksheets which involves identifying eligible damage caused by a disaster, documenting the extent and type of damage, determining the scope of work to repair the damage, and developing a cost estimate for the repair.  

The Disaster Recovery Specialist III must possess knowledge of the technical aspects of FEMA PA and other recovery grant programs and will be expected to exercise independent judgement in coordination actions and advise FEMA PA recipients/subrecipients within the limits of applicable Federal and State statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures. The Disaster Recovery Specialist III works closely with Federal, State, and local representatives and must be able to clearly communicate aspects of the FEMA PA program.

Position Details

• Reports to:  Deputy Practice Lead

• Location:  Must be able to deploy (Florida) or Remote

• Position Type:  On-call       

• FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

• Pay:  Hourly

• Compensation:  Commensurate with experience

• Travel: 90% or more

Essential Job Functions

• Provide general programmatic assistance to clients and maintain currency of and compliance with applicable state and federal grant management policies and procedures relating to recovery (i.e., the PA Grant Program, Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), programs funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), etc.

• Identify potential impacts / implications of policy changes to Federal/State/local programs and provide briefings as required.

• Develop Disaster Recovery Frameworks for clients to include pre- and post-disaster recovery plans, job aids, and implementation plans.

• Conduct needs assessment and gap analysis as it relates to recovery planning, the client’s emergency operations plan, and mitigation planning.

• Conduct meetings and briefings with applicants.

• Facilitate recovery stakeholder meetings to include development of meeting agendas and PowerPoint presentations.

• Identify potential impacts / implications of policy changes to Federal/State/local programs as required.

• Perform damage assessments to establish potential eligibility for FEMA funding and extent of applicable damages.

• Conduct detailed cost estimates of damages.

• Perform project validation reviews and address any inconsistencies, special considerations, and compliance issues with management.

• Make hazard mitigation determinations and recommendations to reduce or eliminate the chance of damages occurring in the future.

• Provide technical guidance and recommendations to management.

• Identify and elevate administrative issues for resolution.

• Review supporting documentation for the assigned sub-awards to ensure that each subrecipient receives appropriate reimbursements.

• Develop, maintain, and implement plans and procedures associated with the effective and efficient delivery and monitoring of grant performance.

• Perform quality control review procedures over work performed by other Disaster Recovery Specialists and Grants Management Specialists.

• Collaborate with Witt O'Brien's Disaster Recovery Grants Management Specialists to identify and elevate financial or administrative issues for resolution, including responding to Federal Awarding Agency or Recipient Request for Information.

Minimum Job Requirements

• At least seven years of relevant disaster recovery experience.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, public administration, emergency management, business administration, or related field. An equivalent combination of training and experience may substitute for a degree.

• Advanced level of experience in FEMA Public Assistance grant program or other FEMA grant program.

• Advanced understanding of Public Assistance, 428, 404 and 406 Mitigation.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret grant policy and procedures, to read and interpret grant guidelines and contracts, and to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

• Advanced level of knowledge of disaster recovery, emergency management and associated state/federal legislation with the ability to research and organize data.

• Advanced level ability to use provided IT tools and document management tools to create, organize and maintain project documents.

• The ability to write reports, conduct analysis, and prepare/conduct briefings.

• The ability to develop and provide training to support the recovery process.

• Advanced level experience using FEMA and State and Local grants management workflow software and documentation management systems at either the Federal (preferred FEMA), State, Local Recipient/Subrecipient level.

• Advanced level knowledge of standard office procedures and computer operations to include a working and functional use of all Microsoft Office applications including Word, Outlook, and Excel as well as smartphone /text usage.

• Ability to effectively communicate (written and orally) with team members and local, state, and federal clients and stakeholders.

• Excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as within a team framework to accomplish objectives under a tight deadline.

• Able to remain flexible and adapt quickly to changes during each assignment.

• Ability to deploy as needed to support client needs.

• Must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance through an extensive government background check with fingerprints.

Preferred Job Requirements

• Experience within the commercial and/or public industries including, but not limited to, government entities/facilities (including military), medical facilities, schools, transportation (roads and bridges), coastal entities, water/waste treatment and utilities/power

• Professional Registration or Certification including Professional Engineer (PE), Registered Architect, Project Management

• Experience with one or more of the following:

  • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

  • CDBG-DR program

  • FTA-ER program

  • FHWA-ER program

• Preference may be given to candidates who have any of the following training through independent study or in-classroom instruction:

  • IS-100b: Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS 100) or IS-100.FWa: Intro to Incident Command System (ICS 100) for Federal Workers

  • IS-200.b: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

  • IS-634: Introduction to FEMA’s Public Assistance Program

  • IS-700.a: National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction

  • IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction

  • E0239: 406 Hazard Mitigation

  • E0381: Project Specialist (PA Ops I)

  • E0382 Public Assistance Coordinator Crew Leader (PA Ops II)

  • E0480: Cost Estimating Format (CEF)

• Prior experience in one of the following positions:

  • Public Assistance Coordinator (PAC) Crew Leader

  • Project Specialist

  • Debris Specialist

  • Debris Monitor

  • FEMA-certified trainer

  • Hazard Mitigation Specialist (Sections 404 and 406)

  • Long Term Community Recovery Program Specialist

Work Schedule

• This position will require some work to be conducted onsite and may require work on weekends or in excess of 40 hours per week. Travel and other expenses are reimbursable in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.

• All interested candidates must be willing and able to work, possibly deployed to client site, for the duration of each disaster assignment. Assignments typically may last up to 12 months with potential for extension.

Job Description Disclaimer

This position description incorporates the core responsibilities of the job.  It recognizes that other related duties not specifically mentioned might also be performed, and that not all responsibilities may be carried out depending on operational needs. The hiring department will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate.

Commitment to Diversity

• Witt O'Brien's is always looking for the most qualified and experienced professionals with a passion for public safety, emergency management, homeland security, disaster response, and continuity of operations.

• We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.