Disaster Recovery Specialist II

IEM is looking to bring on a Full-Time Disaster Recovery Specialist II (DRS II) to join our State and Local Response and Recovery team and support FEMA Public Assistance recovery efforts by working closely with state, local, and nonprofit organizations to assess disaster-related damages, develop project documentation, estimate repair costs, and provide guidance on FEMA grant program requirements.

• Live within a commutable distance to Guaynabo and San Juan, PR.
• Work in an Office Environment with a team.

 Travel Requirements:

• Currently None

 Essential Functions:

• Provide general programmatic assistance to applicants and maintain currency of and compliance with applicable state and federal grant management policies and procedures relating to the Public Assistance Grant Program
• Identify potential impacts / implications of policy changes to Federal/State/local programs and provide briefings as required.
• Conduct meetings and briefings with applicants
• 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.
• 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 of the Public Assistance Grant Program.
• Perform quality control review procedures over work performed by other Disaster Recovery Specialists and Grants Management Specialists.
• Collaborate with IEM’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 Qualifications:

• Experience: Three (3) years of experience with FEMA Public Assistance or other FEMA Grant Program
• Degree: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, public administration, emergency management, insurance, business administration, or related field.
• Bilingual: English and Spanish, written and verbal
• Intermediate level of experience in FEMA Public Assistance grant program or other FEMA grant program
• Experience working in FEMA New PA Delivery Model
• Intermedial Level understanding of or experience in:
  • Intermediate 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. The ability to assist with preparing written reports and conducting analysis.
  • Intermediate level of knowledge of disaster recovery, emergency management and associated state/federal legislation with the ability to research and organize data. Novice level ability to use provided IT tools and document management tools to create, organize and maintain project documents
  • Intermediate level experience using FEMA and State and Local grants management workflow software and documentation management systems at the Federal (preferred FEMA), State, Local Recipient/Subrecipient level.
  • Intermediate level ability to use provided IT tools and document management tools to create, organize and maintain project documents
  • Intermediate level knowledge of standard office procedures and intermediate computer operations to include a working and functional use (preferred intermediate to advanced) of all Microsoft Office applications including Word, Outlook, and Excel as well as smartphone /text usage
  • Must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance through an extensive government background check with fingerprints.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• 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

 Additional Information:

• Office Locations: Often, these offices are either owned by the client we work with or by IEM. All candidates are expected to follow any rules and regulations of the office in which they are required to work for that project.