Public Assistance Director

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for FEMA Public Assistance programs and disaster recovery initiatives.

• Act as a senior technical advisor to SLTT clients regarding Public Assistance program requirements, policies, procedures, and recovery strategies.

• Lead and manage Public Assistance project teams, which include managers, technical specialists, grant management experts, and other personnel.

• Establish project priorities, staffing needs, performance expectations, and delivery standards.

• Offer guidance on intricate PA eligibility, documentation, procurement, cost reasonableness, insurance, environmental and historic preservation, and compliance matters.

• Oversee the development and review of Public Assistance projects, supporting documentation, reimbursement requests, and grant management tasks.

• Assist clients throughout the FEMA PA lifecycle, covering damage identification, project formulation, obligation, reimbursement, closeout, appeals, and audits.

• Identify programmatic risks and create strategies to address issues impacting eligibility, funding, compliance, schedules, or recovery goals.

• Collaborate with FEMA, state emergency management agencies, local governments, tribal and territorial entities, and other stakeholders.

• Foster and maintain relationships with senior client leadership and government officials.

• Monitor project performance, staffing, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and contractual obligations.

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to project managers and technical staff.

• Ensure project teams uphold appropriate documentation, quality standards, and compliance with federal, state, and client requirements.

• Engage in client meetings, executive briefings, recovery strategy sessions, and other high-level interactions.

• Support the creation of scopes of work, staffing plans, technical strategies, proposals, and other materials related to Public Assistance opportunities.

• Assist organizational leadership in identifying emerging client needs and opportunities for expanding disaster recovery support services.

• Travel to client and disaster-affected locations as necessary.

• Aid in workforce planning, recruiting, mobilization, and talent development initiatives.

• Oversee multidisciplinary project teams that support disaster recovery operations.

• Perform additional duties consistent with senior program leadership responsibilities.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience directly supporting, administering, or leading FEMA Public Assistance programs.

• At least ten (10) years of management and leadership experience, including direct supervision of professional staff and project teams.

• Extensive experience managing complex disaster recovery projects and programs.

• Proven experience in developing and defending eligibility and funding positions with FEMA.

• Demonstrated experience advising SLTT leadership and engaging directly with FEMA.

• Established ability to resolve complex programmatic issues and lead large-scale disaster recovery operations.

• Experience collaborating with senior government officials, FEMA representatives, and disaster recovery stakeholders.

• In-depth knowledge of FEMA Public Assistance programs and disaster recovery operations.

• Expert understanding of FEMA PA policies and regulations, PAPPG, eligibility, project formulation, procurement requirements, insurance review, EHP, appeals, audits, closeout, and compliance requirements.

• Strong comprehension of the disaster recovery lifecycle and challenges faced by SLTT governments after federally declared disasters.

• Proven ability to lead large or complex programs and multidisciplinary teams.

• Exceptional leadership, staff development, mentoring, and people-management skills.

• Capability to provide strategic guidance and translate complex federal requirements into actionable recommendations for clients.

• Strong verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills at an executive level.

• Proven ability to establish and sustain effective relationships with government officials, clients, FEMA representatives, and stakeholders.

• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.

• Proficient technical writing, documentation, and reporting abilities.

• Capacity to exercise sound judgment and effectively address complex or sensitive client and program issues.

• Willingness to travel approximately 25% to 50%, based on project and client needs.

• Adaptability to changing project priorities and disaster response and recovery requirements.

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution is preferred.

• Relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree.

• PMP certification is preferred.

• Additional certifications in emergency management, grants management, project management, disaster recovery, or related fields are advantageous.

• A valid driver's license may be necessary based on travel requirements.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401k Retirement Plan.

• Health Savings Account (HSA).

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability coverage.

• Opportunities for professional and personal development.

• Generous paid time off.

• Commuter and wellness benefits.