Senior Residential Hazard Mitigation Subject Matter Expert (California)
About The Position
ICF's Disaster Management division is seeking a Residential Hazard Mitigation Subject Matter Expert to support FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) planning and projects in California following recent wildfire and straight-line wind events. The role focuses on identifying residential property mitigation strategies to reduce risks to homes and property from wildfires, wind, ice storms, and severe weather. The SME will help position programs to optimize disaster grant resource allocation, develop solutions for impacted areas, and provide risk management. The position advises local government and private nonprofit clients on large-scale mitigation projects; assesses residential and community vulnerabilities; develops risk-reduction strategies; and supports funding, education, outreach, stakeholder coordination, and project implementation. The SME works with homeowners, community members, government agencies, community organizations, industry partners, engineers, contractors, and emergency managers, while monitoring projects for compliance with FEMA requirements and applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The role is based in Southern California and requires willingness to travel across the state as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree.
- At least 5 years of FEMA HMA project experience, including program start-up through implementation and closeout.
- Familiarity with emergency planning, mitigation planning, and grants management systems.
- Experience coordinating with residential property owners to develop mitigation strategies and support implementation of retrofitting measures.
- Demonstrated success managing complex cross-functional teams to achieve high production, meet tight deadlines, and deliver compliant, quality work products.
- Based in Southern California and willing to travel across the state as necessary.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Strong written and verbal communication, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, integrity, and ethics.
- Ability to build organizational capability, motivate teaming partners and staff, and work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and project management software.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s or higher-level degree in a related field.
- Experience securing federal grants of $50 million or greater.
- Knowledge of California-specific building codes and hazard mitigation priorities.
- Familiarity with FEMA Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) tool and methodology.
Responsibilities
- Serve as an expert in FEMA HMA grant programs and advise local government and private nonprofit clients on large-scale mitigation projects.
- Assess risks and identify vulnerabilities in homes and communities to wildfires and related hazards.
- Develop strategies to reduce risk, including building codes, structural retrofits, and community-wide resilience plans.
- Identify and secure funding for mitigation projects.
- Implement ongoing public education and outreach programs, explaining technical concepts to homeowners, community members, and other audiences.
- Lead stakeholder engagement and coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, community-based organizations, industry, and nonprofits to achieve shared mitigation goals.
- Coordinate with engineers, contractors, emergency managers, and other professionals to implement mitigation projects.
- Monitor project execution to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to FEMA programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
