Senior Residential Hazard Mitigation Subject Matter Expert

Description

ICF's Disaster Management division seeks a **Residential Hazard Mitigation Subject Matter Expert (SME)** who will support **FEMA HMA** planning and projects in California following the recent wildfire and straight-line wind events. This SME will be focused on identifying residential property mitigation strategies to reduce the risk to homes and property from natural hazards including wildfires, wind, ice storms, and severe weather.

This position represents an exceptional opportunity to join an expert team to facilitate change and help make a lasting difference.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Serve as an expert in FEMA HMA grant programs and advise local government and private non-profit clients on large-scale mitigation projects.
- Assess risks and identify vulnerabilities in homes and communities to wildfires and other related hazards.
- Developing strategies to reduce risk, such as building codes, retrofitting structures, and community-wide resilience plans.
- Identify and secure funding for mitigation projects.
- Implement ongoing public education and outreach programs, including clearly explaining complex technical concepts to various audiences, including homeowners and community members.
- Lead stakeholder engagement and coordination with local, state, and federal agency representatives, community-based organizations, industry, and non-profits to achieve common mitigation goals.
- Coordinate with other professionals, including engineers, contractors, and emergency managers, to implement mitigation projects.
- Monitor project execution to ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to FEMA programs.

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor’s Degree
- 5+ years of FEMA HMA project experience including program start-up through implementation and closeout
- Familiarity with emergency planning, mitigation planning, and using grants management systems
- Experience coordinating with residential property owners to develop mitigation strategies and support the implementation of retrofitting measures
- Demonstrated success managing complex cross-functional teams to achieve high levels of production, meet tight deadlines, and deliver compliant, quality work products.
- Based in Southern California with a willingness to travel across the state as necessary

**Preferred Skills/Experience**:

- 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.

**Professional Skills**:

- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, emotional intelligence, critical thinking skills, and integrity and ethics
- Team player with the demonstrated ability to build organizational capability, motivate teaming partners/staff to ensure high levels of engagement, and work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project Management Software)

**Working at ICF**

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.