Disaster Response Specialist I

Position Summary:

IEM is looking to bring on Full Time- Disaster Response Specialist I (DRSPI) who will support IEM’s State and Local Disaster Response and Recovery Team with its disaster response and recovery efforts, working hand-in-hand with state and local government and private non-profit representatives to guide them through both the response and recovery process. 

The DRSP I will also work alongside IEM’s FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Disaster Recovery Specialists. The DRSP I will help develop state and local response and pre- and post-disaster recovery plans and is also expected to have knowledge of the FEMA PA process.

The DRSP I will provide project management support for projects under the State and Local Disaster Response and Recovery Division as well as coordinate meetings, develop meeting materials, and facilitate meetings for clients. The DRSP I must possess knowledge of the technical aspects of response and recovery planning and programs and will be expected to exercise independent judgement and provide recommendations to clients within the confines of applicable Federal and State statutes, regulations, policies and procedures. The DRSP I works closely with Federal, State and local representatives and must be able to clearly communicate all aspects of recovery.  

Primary Location:

• Candidates can originate from anywhere in the United States
• Once hired you will deploy (travel) across the United States to client sites as needed
• You will work remote from home when not deployed
• All remote work environments require the ability to maintain minimum Internet speeds of 25 Mbps upload and 3 Mbps download, as well as a ping rate of 100 ms or less during working hours, regardless of the type and number of devices using your Internet connection. You must also have account privileges and access to your Internet service provider account during working hours for the purposes of maintaining the Internet connection, if needed.

Travel Requirements:

• This position will require work to be conducted onsite and may require work on weekends or in excess of 40 hours per week. Travel and other expenses are reimbursable in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.
• All interested candidates must be willing to work on site for the duration of each disaster assignment. Assignments typically may last up to 12 months with potential for extension.

• Situational Awareness: During site assessments, conditions may be austere including prolonged exposure to excessive heat and cold, prolonged sun exposure and no electricity, heat or air conditioning. Other potential risks include air quality issues, standing water, mosquitos, snakes, debris and other potential exposures
• Physical Requirements: Site assessments may require extensive walking and standing for long periods of time; working in small spaces, tunnels and ditches; climbing ladders. 

Essential Functions:

• Develop state and local response and pre- and post-disaster recovery plans, procedures, checklists, and guidance documents
• Provide recovery programmatic assistance to clients and maintain currency of and compliance with applicable state and federal policies, procedures, and guidance documents relating to recovery
• Serve in a response capacity in a state or local field and/or Emergency Operations Center (EOC) environment in an incident response and/or incident support role.
• Provide response and recovery related training to state and local government clients 
• Develop Disaster Recovery Frameworks for clients, if needed to include job descriptions and job aids
• Conduct needs assessment and gap analysis as it relates to response and recovery planning, the client’s emergency operations plan, and mitigation planning (where applicable)
• Facilitate recovery stakeholder meetings to include developing meeting agendas, handouts, and PowerPoint presentations
• Identify potential impacts / implications of policy changes to Federal/State/local programs and provide briefings as required
• Conduct meetings and briefings with clients
• Provide technical guidance and recommendations to management
• Develop, maintain and implement plans and procedures associated with the effective and efficient delivery of a response and recovery program
• Perform quality control review procedures over work performed by other Disaster Recovery Specialists and over client-provided documents as requested
• Identify and elevate administrative issues for resolution

Minimum Qualifications:

• One (1) year of experience responding to natural, technological, and human-caused disasters 
• Current Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) training or the ability to obtain this independently within 30 days of employment.
• Novice level of knowledge of disaster recovery, disaster response, emergency management and associated state/federal legislation with the ability to research and organize data
• The ability to write reports, conduct analysis, and prepare/conduct briefings
• The ability to assist with the development of and provision of training to support the recovery process
• Novice level ability to use provided document management tools to create, organize, and maintain project documents
• Novice level knowledge of standard office procedures and novice 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
• Strong written and oral communications skills including plan writing and meeting facilitation with team members and local, state, and federal stakeholders
• Strong ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as within a team to successfully accomplish objectives under a short deadline
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt quickly to changes during assignments
• Must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance through an extensive government background check with fingerprints.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in public administration, emergency management, business administration, or related field. 
• Novice level of experience in FEMA Public Assistance grant program or other FEMA grant programs
• Experience working in New FEMA PA Delivery Model
• Novice level understanding of Public Assistance, 428, 404 and 406 Mitigation.
• Ability to interpret grant policy and procedures and to read and interpret grant guidelines and contracts
• Novice level experience using FEMA, State, and Local grants management workflow software and documentation management systems at either the Federal (preferred FEMA), State, and/or Local Recipient/Subrecipient level
• Professional Registration or Certification including Project Management 

Benefits and more:

• Starting salary based on experience and location: $65,000 to $78,000
• 10 paid holidays
• Vacation Pay
• Sick Pay
• 401 (K) plan with matching
• Company paid STD and LTD

Why join IEM?

We are a woman owned company in Emergency Management that embraces teamwork, collaboration, flexible performance, actionable solutions and integrity/ethics. Our work touches everyone. We produce results that matter. Results that save lives – join us while we build a safe, secure and resilient world.

Our culture:

IEM believes in the greater good and it is our commitment to attract those who have excellent technical skills, creative minds and innovative ideas to keep propelling us forward.   

IEM is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Vets and Disabled:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from Human Resources.