Senior Consultant I, Public Assistance

AC Disaster Consulting•Topeka, KS

3d•$80 - $90•Remote

About The Position

We are a leading, national consulting firm that provides compassionate, full-spectrum emergency management services including planning and preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation services to the public and private sectors before, during and after a natural disaster or catastrophic event. Our mission is to provide compassionate consulting services to local, state, federal, and industry clients, active in disaster response, recovery, and preparedness. We will be on time, on target, and on budget with the services aligned to the evolving threats and hazards facing our nation. The position will be guided by ACDC’s Corporate Values Platform in all activities. The Emergency Management Senior Consultant is responsible for assisting the company and clients with special projects within their scope as a subject matter expert in FEMA Public Assistance. An Emergency Management Senior Consultant provides advanced support, advice and analytical services to private businesses and government agencies on how to deal with emergency situations or any emergency management functions or disciplines. Each Consultant will have a specific work portfolio based on skills sets and needs. The position will be guided in all activities by ACDC’s Corporate Values Platform.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in emergency management or a related field is required. Years of experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis, in addition to the minimum requirements.
5+ years’ advanced or subject matter expert-level knowledge/experience in various emergency management functions, including disaster recovery, grant management, insurance coordination, duplication of benefits analysis, mutual aid operations, debris management, infrastructure recovery programs, Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and other federally or state-funded disaster programs.
2+ years FEMA Public Assistance Experience.
Demonstrated experience in hands-on execution role supporting project development, Grants Portal work, applicant coordination, and documentation review.
Proficient in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel.
Ability to support appeals development (strategy support, documentation assembly, and tracking), depending on experience level
Strong written and verbal communication skills and comfort working directly with State and local government staff
Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive customer and internal information.
Capable of multi-tasking when necessary.
Ability to Develop Disaster Recovery Frameworks for clients as requested.
Ability to make project management decisions based on analytical skills. Report and communicate to appropriate stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to conduct program evaluation and analysis based on industry standards.
Ability to work across multiple functions and divisions on various projects.
Proven record of accomplishment with project management best practices.
Ability to train others and lead projects and/or programs with senior leadership oversight.
Ability to create and maintain relationships with a variety of public and private sector clients.
Excellent critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
Highly organized.
Detail-oriented.
Strong time management skills.
Strong desire to help people.
Ability to remain flexible and adapt quickly to changes in roles, responsibilities, priorities and projects.
Ability to work independently with minimal direction.

Nice To Haves

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
Emergency Management Consulting Experience
Project Management Certification (PMP)
Business development experience.
3-5+ years knowledge of recovery and response programs including FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Public Assistance.
Proficient with Salesforce.

Responsibilities

FEMA Public Assistance project development, including damage descriptions, scope of work development, and cost documentation.
Eligibility analysis (work, cost, facility, and applicant) and familiarity with FEMA PA policy and the PAAPG.
Applicant coordination, including conducting applicant meetings and guiding applicants through the PA process.
Provide support for post-obligation activities, including reconciliation, RFIs on obligated projects, and closeout readiness.
Work in Grants Portal, including data entry, document uploads, RFIs, and project tracking.
Lead operation functions within your multiple focus areas of emergency management, including leading entire smaller project or specific portions of larger projects. Directly interface with others as a subject matter expert, applying critical thinking and advanced client relations skillset. With intermediate to advanced knowledge of the principals of the emergency management framework, diversify capabilities within projects of increased complexity. Engage in opportunities to mentor and lead others as a senior level consultant.
Lead and manage smaller projects and portions of larger projects and provide technical and subject matter expertise to clients. Ensure all aspects of critical portions of assigned projects are completed as outlined in the scope of work and timeline, mindful of appropriate resource allocation. Utilize project operation knowledge, judgement, and discretion to lead or manage others, acting as a mentor to other levels of consultants. Ensure you and others meet or exceed personnel allocation and utilization targets. Provide feedback and guidance for Consultant and Associate Consultant team members.
Attend, participate, and lead individual and group scheduled meetings and events. Respond, engage, and initiate other company communications as appropriate. Lead and directly engage with clients at conferences and networking events. Prepare materials for information sessions with communities and clients, and present at speaking engagements. Demonstrate and practice advanced knowledge of company client engagement practices, and regularly exercise discretion in decision-making.
Utilize working knowledge of company services and contracts to participate and help prepare for client/partner meetings and proposal presentations. Support the creation, updating, and distribution of company marketing materials and capabilities statements based on subject matter expertise. Speak at conferences and industry events. Participate in all aspects of business development, including reviewing, evaluating, and responding to proposals and data calls. Learn about our pipeline tracking and account management processes. Build and maintain relationships with teaming partners and clients. Stay up to date on industry developments.
Attend and participate in all assigned job-related training opportunities. Prepare and lead training events and information sessions to build community/client engagement.
Makes decisions and exercises judgement on assigned projects, portions of projects, and individual work as technical and subject matter expert. Provide guidance to others on prioritizing tasks. Seeks guidance from leadership on prioritizing business goals.
Maintain currency of and compliance with applicable state and federal policies, procedures, and guidance documents. Take on increasingly significant project roles and become an expert in multiple areas of Emergency Management. Maintain/pursue expert level knowledge, credentials, and career development opportunities.
During a disaster, you may be called into the field to support or co-lead relief efforts or assist with organizing responses to support advanced roles in emergency situations and/or activations.
Perform other duties as assigned.