Disaster Recovery Program Specialist (FEMA PA / HMGP)

About the Workforce Intelligence Lab (WIL)

The Workforce Intelligence Lab (WIL) delivers applied research and public-program support for cities, counties, school systems, special districts, utilities, and related agencies. Our work spans emergency management and continuity planning, housing and community development, grant administration technical assistance, research and program evaluation, and applied field operations support.

Learn more:

We engage experienced practitioners for both full-time employment and project-based contract roles, as applicable to the award and staffing model. Engagements are remote-first with travel as required for partner and field sites. We build ready teams for live grant and sponsored-research pursuits.

This opportunity is contingent upon grant or sponsored-project award and final staffing approval. Permission will be requested before including a candidate's name or resume in a proposal or funding package.

WIL is seeking a Disaster Recovery Program Specialist to administer FEMA Public Assistance (PA) and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) work for communities in recovery, including project worksheets, grant management, and compliance documentation.

What you'll do

Administer FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program activities for recovering communities
Develop and manage project worksheets and related grant documentation through the award and closeout cycle
Track grant management milestones, drawdowns, and compliance documentation against FEMA and recipient requirements
Coordinate with applicants, recipients, and WIL delivery leads on eligibility, scope, and documentation quality
Contribute specialist qualifications and past-performance narrative to WIL grant and sponsored-research packages when permissioned

Required

Hands-on FEMA Public Assistance and/or Hazard Mitigation Grant Program administration experience
Experience preparing or managing project worksheets, grant files, and compliance documentation for disaster recovery
Open to full-time employment or project-based contract engagement; remote-first with travel as partner and field work requires

Nice to have

Prior work with state or local emergency-management or recovery agencies
Familiarity with FEMA Grants Portal / EM Grantee systems and 2 CFR 200 grant administration
2–3 prior PA or HMGP engagements you can cite (agency or partner, your role, year)

Back to blog

Other Jobs To Apply

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...