Individual Assistance Director

Michael Baker International•United States,

8h•$141,880 - $204,242•Hybrid

About The Position

The Individual Assistance (IA) Director provides senior-level leadership, technical expertise, and program oversight for disaster response and recovery programs supporting State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) government clients and disaster-affected communities. The Director is responsible for leading Individual Assistance engagements, managing project teams, advising clients on program strategy, and overseeing the successful delivery of survivor-focused disaster assistance programs. The IA Director serves as a senior advisor on FEMA Individual Assistance programs, disaster survivor services, housing and human services programs, disaster case management, and related recovery initiatives. This position provides strategic leadership throughout the disaster response and recovery lifecycle while ensuring programs are effectively staffed, managed, and delivered in accordance with client objectives and applicable requirements. The position requires extensive disaster recovery and Individual Assistance experience, demonstrated success managing staff and complex programs, and exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship management skills.

Requirements

Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience supporting, administering, or leading FEMA Individual Assistance programs.
Ten (10) or more years of management and leadership experience, including direct supervision of staff, supervisors, and project teams.
Significant experience managing complex disaster response and recovery programs.
Demonstrated experience advising SLTT leadership and collaborating directly with FEMA.
Proven experience resolving complex programmatic issues and leading large-scale disaster operations.
Experience working with senior government officials, community organizations, and disaster recovery stakeholders.
Experience developing operational strategies, staffing models, policies, and recovery program frameworks.
Extensive knowledge of FEMA Individual Assistance and disaster survivor support programs.
Demonstrated expertise in FEMA IA programs and policies, including Individual and Households Program (IHP), Mass Care/Emergency Assistance, housing and sheltering, Disaster Case Management, and survivor services.
Strong understanding of disaster response and recovery operations and the needs of disaster-affected communities.
Proven ability to lead complex, large-scale programs and multidisciplinary teams.
Strong personnel management, mentoring, and leadership skills.
Knowledge of program operations, service delivery, quality assurance, and performance monitoring.
Ability to develop practical solutions and operational strategies in rapidly changing disaster environments.
Strong executive-level communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with government officials, clients, FEMA representatives, and community stakeholders.
Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Strong written communication and documentation skills.
Ability to lead teams effectively through rapid mobilization and changing operational requirements.
Ability and willingness to travel approximately 25% to 50% based on project needs.
Ability to adapt to changing project priorities and disaster response and recovery requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university preferred.
Relevant professional experience may substitute for educational requirements.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
Additional certifications in emergency management, human services, project management, disaster recovery, or related fields are a plus.
Valid driver's license may be required based on travel requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Individual Assistance programs and disaster survivor support programs.
Serve as a senior advisor to SLTT clients regarding Individual Assistance programs, policies, operational strategies, and recovery needs.
Lead and manage IA project teams, including program managers, supervisors, case management personnel, housing specialists, technical staff, and other project resources.
Establish project priorities, staffing requirements, performance expectations, operational procedures, and delivery standards.
Provide leadership and technical guidance related to FEMA Individual Assistance programs and other survivor services, housing assistance, disaster case management, unmet needs, and community resources.
Assist clients with developing and implementing scalable recovery programs following hurricanes, floods, wildfires, severe storms, and other disaster events.
Develop operational strategies, staffing models, workflows, policies, procedures, and performance measures for IA programs.
Monitor program performance, staffing levels, service delivery, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and contractual requirements.
Identify program risks, operational challenges, service gaps, and emerging survivor needs and develop mitigation strategies.
Coordinate with FEMA, state emergency management agencies, local governments, tribal and territorial governments, voluntary organizations, community partners, and other stakeholders.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with senior client leadership and government officials.
Ensure compliance with program requirements, client policies, privacy standards, and applicable regulations.
Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management support to managers, supervisors, and project staff.
Support workforce planning, recruiting, mobilization, training, and staff development initiatives.
Participate in client meetings, executive briefings, operational planning sessions, and recovery strategy discussions.
Support development of scopes of work, staffing plans, technical approaches, proposals, and other business development materials.
Assist organizational leadership in identifying emerging client needs and opportunities to expand disaster response and recovery services.
Travel to client and disaster-affected locations as required.
Perform other duties consistent with senior program leadership responsibilities.
Directly leads and manages program managers, supervisors, technical staff, housing specialists, case management personnel, and other project resources.
Provides coaching, mentoring, professional development, and performance management for project staff.
Establishes staffing requirements, performance expectations, and operational standards.
Supports workforce planning, recruiting, onboarding, mobilization, and training efforts.
Oversees multidisciplinary teams supporting disaster response and recovery operations.