FEMA - Disaster Recovery Specialists (Hazard Mitigation Specialist)

Join the Dewberry Team!  Are you looking for a rewarding opportunity to help our country with disaster recovery work? Dewberry maintains a cadre of skilled professional and technical staff in an on-call capacity to support disaster recovery work across the United States. We are currently searching for highly qualified Hazard Mitigation Specialists to support these projects. As one of our Disaster Specialists, you will collaborate with some of the best and brightest in the industry and use your expertise to support critical recovery efforts in disaster-impacted communities. This is an excellent opportunity for those who want to use their knowledge, skills and abilities to help disaster survivors at disaster recovery operation work sites throughout the United States and its territories. 

*Please note, remote work is not permitted for this role. This is a non‑full‑time, deployment‑based on-call position supporting disaster relief efforts across the United States. Team members are deployed to impacted sites as needed and may travel frequently on short notice. While the role requires physical presence at various disaster locations, it is not tied to a single office or fixed worksite.

Dewberry is currently searching for highly qualified staff to support hazard mitigation programs for both disaster recovery and other types of hazard mitigation grant funding activities as a Hazard Mitigation Specialist. The mitigation specialist assists communities with conceptualizing and documenting mitigation actions that increase the protection infrastructure facilities. Candidates should understand benefit cost analysis, the technical elements required to provide a facility with feasible, cost-effective mitigation, and the eligible funding activities for the mitigation actions involving various natural hazards.  

Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. What sets us apart from our competitors is our people. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a new graduate, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with the best and brightest and work on innovative and complex projects at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to excellence stems from our personal integrity and from other defining attributes, which we call “Dewberry at Work,” that have inspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century.

Hazard Mitigation Specialists assist local government agencies and other program-eligible entities in the preparation of grant applications for the restoration or mitigation of damaged public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings and utilities. Work includes gathering essential information from program applicants, conceptualizing mitigation strategies, and writing and/or reviewing mitigation plans. Work progress and supporting documentation is continually updated in either FEMA’s Grants Portal, Grants Manager or FEMA Grants Outcome (FEMA GO) applications. They may travel to disaster sites to support the delivery of the FEMA Public Assistance Program or other grant-funded programs. 

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited university and a minimum of 5 years of full-time professional experience in field of study 

• A broad understanding of public infrastructure facilities and familiarity with industry standard construction practices, building codes, and permitting requirements 

• Working knowledge and experience in applying FEMA hazard mitigation policy and Section 203, 404 and 406 of the Stafford Act  

• Excellent oral and written communication skills   

• Proficient with MS Office Suite applications 

• Able to work both independently and in a team environment under stressful conditions  

• The ability to work up to 12 hours per day, 7 days a week and deploy to a disaster recovery operation for up to 12 months  

• Have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record 

• Be a U.S. citizen capable of passing a federal background investigation to obtain a Public Trust clearance  

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• Prior experience working as a Hazard Mitigation Specialist 

• Bachelor’s degree and experience working in the fields of architecture, engineering or construction management  

• Experience with modern construction practices, facility assessments, construction inspection, project scope development and cost estimating  

• Working knowledge of International Building Code (IBC), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other governmental regulatory compliance  

• Working knowledge of FEMA’s Grants Manager or Grants Portal 

• Proficiency using cost estimating software such as RS Means 

• Experience with FEMA’s Benefit Cost Analysis tool 

*At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization. 

*This position is covered by the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act of 1965 (SCA). 

*Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation. 

*Only recipients of an offer of employment from Dewberry, will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry’s background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law. 

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The projected range for this position is $55 to $70 hourly. Depending upon other factors, i.e., skills, experience, location, market conditions, the range may vary slightly.