Public Assistance Technical Specialist

Summary

Join Tidal Basin's expanding Public Assistance Cadre as a FEMA Public Assistance Technical Specialist. This on-call position involves deploying to client locations to provide assistance with FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program. You will manage multiple tasks with demanding deadlines, collaborating with stakeholders to ensure compliance with PA program guidelines. Responsibilities include participating in recovery meetings, providing technical assistance, developing federal grant applications, analyzing financial data, and guiding applicants through the grant process. Experience with the FEMA PA program, Grants Portal, and financial closeout duties is essential. On-site work at client locations is required.

Requirements

• High proficiency with Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office Suite applications, and ability to quickly learn new computer software, programs, or tools, and utilize various video conferencing tools
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Must be self-motivated, responsible, and confident with a commitment to integrity
• Must possess high attention to detail, be very organized and able to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Must have a proficient understanding of concepts from applicant intake through project and subrecipient closeout
• Experience working with Federal, State and Local Governments on the PA program
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience working in the FEMA Public Assistance grant program
• Mobility required to travel to disaster sites and affected communities working on-site
• Sitting or standing for hours at a time
• Capability to work in adverse weather conditions and challenging environments
• Ability to work up to twelve-hour shifts and maintaining flexibility for longer shifts as needed
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time if needed
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. throughout the day and as needed

Responsibilities

• Participate in the Exploratory Call and then attend and participate in the Recovery Scoping Meeting
• Schedule, attend, and participate in all Recovery Transition Meetings with applicants
• Provide programmatic and technical assistance, perform program reviews, and project analysis as required
• Development of federal grant applications (FEMA Project Worksheets) for all Categories of Work, providing review and quality assurance as to damage descriptions, scope of work, cost estimates, and general content
• Collect, analyze, organize, and summarize financial data
• Formulate large and small projects and perform validations
• Assist with preparation of change of scope requests, alternate project requests or improved project requests
• In depth understanding of FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide
• Guide applicants through the entire grant process, with experience using Grants Portal and/or Grants Manager
• Provide project reviews for partial and final payment requests
• Participate in scheduling and conducting site inspections
• Prior experience performing financial closeout duties related to the FEMA PA Program
• Complete all required training
• Must work onsite at the client’s designated location

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in disaster management, business administration, finance and accounting, public administration, and/or a related field preferred
• Project management or personnel/team management experience preferred