Hazard Mitigation Specialist II

Position Summary:

IEM seeks individuals to fill Full Time- Hazard Mitigation Specialist II positions.  

Candidates will be expected to perform a variety of tasks to support our clients’ participation in FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation (HM) Programs (including mitigation project scoping, application development and review, grant/sub-grant management, environmental and regulatory compliance, assistance with requests for reimbursement, and grant/sub-grant closeout) and incorporating mitigation measures into Public Assistance (PA) projects. This is a fast-paced environment, and candidates should expect to work within tight deadlines with accuracy and consistency.

Primary Location:

• Candidates can originate from anywhere in the United States and will work remotely from home or personal office location unless deployed as outlined under “Travel Requirements”.
• 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:

• All interested candidates must be willing to work on-site for the duration of each disaster assignment. Assignments typically may last up to 12-24 months with potential for extension.
• This position may require work to be conducted onsite. 
• Travel and other expenses are reimbursable pursuant to Federal Travel Regulations.
• Situational awareness: During site assessments, conditions may be austere. 

Essential Functions:

Assist in developing mitigation strategies and viable, cost-effective mitigation actions for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners and eligible private non-profit entities for both HMA and PA programs. This role will involve working closely with SLTTs and federal agencies to identify opportunities to enhance infrastructure resilience following disasters through 404 and 406 mitigation measures.

This includes collaborating with SLTTs and eligible private non-profits to identify and implement FEMA mitigation measures as part of disaster recovery efforts in the HMA and PA programs as follows:

• Review and assess damaged infrastructure and develop cost-effective mitigation measures to reduce future disaster risk. 
• Prepare and submit mitigation proposals in alignment with FEMA 406 guidelines to secure funding through the Public Assistance program. 
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to municipalities and state agencies on implementing 404 and 406 mitigation measures during infrastructure repair projects.
• Ensure compliance with FEMA regulations and promote resilience in rebuilding efforts. 
• Scope projects, compliance reviews, technical research, application development and review, prepare concise responses to FEMA Requests for Information (RFIs), and develop BCAs, BC Ratios (BCRs) and BCA methodologies to ensure project compliance and eligibility. 

The HM Specialist II will function with moderate supervision, helping to manage teams, and interacting directly with Senior staff, the HMA Lead, clients, and teaming partners. The position requires moderate grant management experience with HMA programs and Global Match strategies, such as FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program, HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs (e.g: CDBG-MIT, CDBG-DR), and others. 

You may also be part of a planning team that develops new Hazard Mitigation Plans (or updates existing plans) for states, counties, cities, towns, and tribes. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of experience with FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, including strong knowledge of FEMA 404 and 406 mitigation measures. Proven ability to assess damaged public infrastructure and develop cost-effective mitigation solutions. Familiarity with FEMA policies and funding processes for post-disaster recovery.
• Three (3) years of substantially continuous experience in FEMA’s HMA programs: the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA); and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program, formerly the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM); similar Federal or state mitigation or resilience programs; federally funded disaster recovery programs; or some combination thereof.
• Three (3) years of continuous experience providing direct programmatic and technical assistance, performing program reviews, and project analysis in one of the program areas cited above.
• Some experience with estimating project timelines and tracking application development, project implementation and the expenditures of funds for any federal Grant/sub-grant.
• Basic understanding of FEMA’s community lifelines and the principles behind them.
• Strong reading, comprehension, and computer/data entry skills, including training and experience with FEMA Disaster Systems: Grants Portal, eGrants, EMMIE, and preferably FEMA GO.
• Strong writing and communications skills, including solid public speaking experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management, Engineering, Architecture, Environmental Sciences, or related fields.
• Relevant professional licenses and certifications, such as Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) or Certified Emergency Manager (CEM).
• One (3) years of continuous experience working specifically with the FEMA HMGP:
  • Conducting applicant briefings
  • Understanding hazard mitigation plans and strategies, including plan development, update, and review
  • Project scoping to develop mitigation actions and applications; preparing amendments, scope change requests, and the like.
  • Review applications for completeness and develop clear, concise, and technically accurate Requests for Information (RFIs)
• The ability to explain and perhaps perform Benefit Cost Analyses (BCA)
• Basic understanding of Economic, Environmental, Social, Health & Public Safety, Transportation, and Emergency Access impacts and how they impact project development.

Benefits and more:

• Starting salary based on experience and location: $77,000 to $98,000
• 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.