FEMA - Disaster Recovery Specialists (Hazard Mitigation Specialist)

FEMA - Disaster Recovery Specialists (Hazard Mitigation Specialist) 

Join the Dewberry Team!  Are you looking for a rewarding opportunity to help our country with disaster recovery work? Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 50 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. Our outstanding employees, more than 30 years of experience supporting FEMA, and multiple contract support opportunities set us apart from our competitors. Our experience and expertise provide unique insight into how national disaster events are prepared for, managed, and applied to communities. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality services to our clients. Our commitment to excellence stems from our defining attributes, which we call “Dewberry at Work,” that have inspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century. As one of our Disaster Specialists, you will collaborate with some of the best and brightest in the industry and use your expertise to support critical recovery efforts in disaster-impacted communities. 

Hazard Mitigation Specialist 

Dewberry is currently searching for highly qualified staff to support hazard mitigation programs for both disaster recovery and other types of hazard mitigation grant funding activities as a Hazard Mitigation Specialist. The mitigation specialist assists communities with conceptualizing and documenting mitigation actions that increase the protection infrastructure facilities. Candidates should understand benefit cost analysis, the technical elements required to provide a facility with feasible, cost-effective mitigation, and the eligible funding activities for the mitigation actions involving various natural hazards.  

Hazard Mitigation Specialists assist local government agencies and other program-eligible entities in the preparation of grant applications for the restoration or mitigation of damaged public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings and utilities. Work includes gathering essential information from program applicants, conceptualizing mitigation strategies, and writing and/or reviewing mitigation plans. Work progress and supporting documentation is continually updated in either FEMA’s Grants Portal, Grants Manager or FEMA Grants Outcome (FEMA GO) applications. They may travel to disaster sites to support the delivery of the FEMA Public Assistance Program or other grant-funded programs. 

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited university and a minimum of 5 years of full-time professional experience in field of study 

• A broad understanding of public infrastructure facilities and familiarity with industry standard construction practices, building codes, and permitting requirements 

• Working knowledge and experience in applying FEMA hazard mitigation policy and Section 203, 404 and 406 of the Stafford Act  

• Excellent oral and written communication skills   

• Proficient with MS Office Suite applications 

• Able to work both independently and in a team environment under stressful conditions  

• The ability to work up to 12 hours per day, 7 days a week and deploy to a disaster recovery operation for up to 12 months  

• Have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record 

• • Be a U.S. citizen capable of passing a federal background investigation to obtain a Public Trust clearance  

Preferred Skills and Experience:  

• Prior experience working as a Hazard Mitigation Specialist 

• Bachelor’s degree and experience working in the fields of architecture, engineering or construction management  

• Experience with modern construction practices, facility assessments, construction inspection, project scope development and cost estimating  

• Working knowledge of International Building Code (IBC), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other governmental regulatory compliance  

• Working knowledge of FEMA’s Grants Manager or Grants Portal 

• Proficiency using cost estimating software such as RS Means 

• Experience with FEMA’s Benefit Cost Analysis tool 

*At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization. 

*This position is covered by the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act of 1965 (SCA). 

*Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation. 

*Only recipients of an offer of employment from Dewberry, will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry’s background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law. 

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