FEMA - Disaster Recovery Specialists (Hazard Mitigation Specialist)
Dewberry · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $80,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Support disaster recovery efforts nationwide.
- Assist communities with mitigation strategies.
- Work with FEMA grant applications.
- Requires travel to disaster sites.
- Deployment-based, on-call position.
About the role
Hazard Mitigation Specialist - Disaster Recovery
Join the Dewberry Team! Are you looking for a rewarding opportunity to help our country with disaster recovery work? Dewberry maintains a cadre of skilled professional and technical staff in an on-call capacity to support disaster recovery work across the United States. We are currently searching for highly qualified Hazard Mitigation Specialists to support these projects. 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. This is an excellent opportunity for those who want to use their knowledge, skills, and abilities to help disaster survivors at disaster recovery operation work sites throughout the United States and its territories.
Please note, remote work is not permitted for this role. This is a non-full-time, deployment-based on-call position supporting disaster relief efforts across the United States. Team members are deployed to impacted sites as needed and may travel frequently on short notice. While the role requires physical presence at various disaster locations, it is not tied to a single office or fixed worksite.
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 of 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.
Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. What sets us apart from our competitors is our people. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a new graduate, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with the best and brightest and work on innovative and complex projects at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to excellence stems from our personal integrity and from other defining attributes, which we call “Dewberry at Work,” that have inspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century.
Responsibilities
- 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.
Required Skills & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and a minimum of 5 years of full-time professional experience in a 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 Sections 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 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.
Key skills/competency
- Hazard Mitigation Specialist
- Disaster Recovery
- FEMA
- Grant Applications
- Public Infrastructure
- Benefit Cost Analysis
- Stafford Act
- Construction Practices
- Facility Assessments
- Project Management
Skills & topics
- Hazard Mitigation Specialist
- Disaster Recovery
- FEMA
- Grant Writing
- Public Infrastructure
- Stafford Act
- Benefit Cost Analysis
- Construction Management
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Emergency Management
- On-Call
- Deployment
- United States
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience with FEMA policies, Stafford Act, and public infrastructure projects.
- Showcase relevant skills: Emphasize your understanding of benefit-cost analysis and construction practices.
- Prepare for deployment: Be ready to discuss your availability and ability to work in stressful conditions.
- Understand the role: Research Dewberry's work in disaster recovery and hazard mitigation.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the work arrangement for a Hazard Mitigation Specialist at Dewberry?
- The Hazard Mitigation Specialist role at Dewberry is a deployment-based, on-call position. This means you will be deployed to disaster recovery operation work sites throughout the United States as needed, and remote work is not permitted. Travel is frequent and may be on short notice.
- What qualifications are required for the Hazard Mitigation Specialist role?
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and a minimum of 5 years of full-time professional experience in a relevant field are required. You'll also need a broad understanding of public infrastructure, construction practices, building codes, and familiarity with FEMA hazard mitigation policy and the Stafford Act.
- What kind of travel is expected for this Hazard Mitigation Specialist position?
- This role requires travel to disaster sites to support disaster recovery efforts. Team members may be deployed for extended periods, potentially up to 12 months, and are expected to work up to 12 hours per day, 7 days a week, under stressful conditions.
- Is this a full-time position as a Hazard Mitigation Specialist?
- No, this is a non-full-time, deployment-based on-call position. While you must be available for deployments that can last up to 12 months and involve intensive work schedules, it is not a standard 9-to-5 full-time role.
- What are the key responsibilities of a Hazard Mitigation Specialist at Dewberry?
- Key responsibilities include assisting government agencies with grant applications for infrastructure restoration and mitigation, conceptualizing mitigation strategies, writing and reviewing mitigation plans, and gathering essential information from applicants. You will also update progress in FEMA systems like Grants Portal or Grants Manager.
- What is the importance of benefit-cost analysis for this Hazard Mitigation Specialist role?
- Understanding benefit-cost analysis is crucial. Candidates need to grasp the technical elements for feasible, cost-effective mitigation and be aware of eligible funding activities for actions addressing various natural hazards. This analysis forms a core part of documenting mitigation actions.
- What technical skills are necessary for a Hazard Mitigation Specialist at Dewberry?
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite is required. Preferred skills include experience with cost estimating software like RS Means, knowledge of FEMA's Benefit Cost Analysis tool, and familiarity with grant management systems such as FEMA's Grants Manager or Grants Portal.