OPS Community Assistance Consultant

OPS Community Assistance Consultant -

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power. FDEM is the liaison between federal, state, and local agencies. FDEM prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities, provides technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures, as well as conducts emergency operations trainings for state and local government agencies.

FDEM serves as the lead agency for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), whose primary goal is the coordination of the state's efforts during disaster response and recovery. This coordination is conducted within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Additionally, FDEM manages the State Watch Office; the 24-hour a day operation tasked with providing situational awareness to stakeholders statewide.

After a disaster, FDEM conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor of the State of Florida on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. It is against this backdrop that FDEM strives to demonstrate its mission of, "Coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with our community stakeholders for a resilient Florida", along with our vision of "Leading the Profession in building prepared and resilient communities".

Position Overview and Responsibilities:
This position serves as an OPS Public Assistance Programmatic Reviewer in the Bureau of Recovery and is responsible for assisting in the administration of FEMA's Public Assistance Grant Program. This position also provides technical assistance to state and local governments and other entities on programmatic and fiscal components of Public Assistance projects and other program related issues. Duties include, but are not limited to:
Perform duties in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules and procedures, manages and monitors agreements as they apply to Public Assistance. Review Project Worksheets under the Public Assistance program and strives to resolve any issues that would potentially jeopardize funding through close coordination with FDEM, FEMA Public Assistance staff, and applicant. Provide comprehensive analysis of findings to enable timely and accurate completion and closeout of projects.

Compile and maintain all data in a logical and efficient format. Ability to assist in the development and modification of contractual agreements, including individually designed scopes of work and reporting requirements. Assist in the development and revision of grantee program and financial review and monitoring criteria and of relevant administrative rules. Programmatic reviewers may be assigned to one or more of the following specializations:
Environmental & Historical Preservation Compliance;
Insurance;
Cost Estimating;
Vendor Relations;
Debris Management;
Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs), and/or 428/406 Mitigation. Additional specializations may be identified and assigned as needed. Perform assigned duties during Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation in support of emergency response and recovery efforts. Perform other related duties as assigned. In response to emergency events, FDEM employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including nights, weekends, and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee's position description.

Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to conduct effective programmatic and/or project-specific presentations to state and local governments and other public entities as necessary. Knowledge of the fundamentals of grants management. Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret contract/grant programmatic and financial data. Ability to understand, interpret, and apply relevant Florida Administrative Code, Florida Statutes, and Code of Federal Regulations as well as FDEM policies and procedures related to contract/grant development, contract/grant management, and payment processing procedures.

Knowledge of and experience in the Public Assistance program as outlined by the Robert T. Stafford Act, and 44 Code of Federal Regulations and FEMA policy. Demonstrated abilities in providing technical assistance, support, and consultation to local governments and other entities on programmatic issues. Ability to establish effective working relationships with federal, state, and local officials involved in the Public Assistance process.

Ability to independently develop timelines and deadlines for multiple projects to successfully complete work accurately and…