Disaster Recovery Specialist III (On-call)

About the position 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 subawards 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 WOB’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.

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 knowl

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