FEMA Public Assistance Wastewater Specialist

Introduction:

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.

Position Summary:

• Job Title: Water/Wastewater Specialist
• Full Time or Part Time: Full time
• Temporary/Seasonal/Regular: Temporary
• Compensation: $37-42/hour
• Travel/Location: Remote with onsite travel to client locations

Mission of Role/Position Summary:

The Water/Wastewater Specialist will utilize expertise to support FEMA Public Assistance (PA) program processes. This position provides technical assistance and expertise in water and wastewater infrastructure projects, particularly those impacted by disaster events. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in public infrastructure restoration and compliance with FEMA PA guidelines, demonstrating a proactive approach to optimizing disaster recovery efforts for water and wastewater systems.

Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

• Technical Assistance and Assessment:
• Conduct assessments of damaged water and wastewater systems to determine eligibility under FEMA PA guidelines.
• Provide technical support in the design, repair, and construction of water and wastewater infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with FEMA standards and regulatory requirements.
• Review and interpret engineering reports, site assessments, and cost estimates for damaged water/wastewater facilities.
• Documentation and Compliance:
• Ensure proper documentation for eligible costs related to water/wastewater facility repair and reconstruction, supporting accurate and complete documentation to maximize reimbursement.
• Assist in developing and maintaining comprehensive records to meet FEMA PA compliance, including environmental and historical preservation documentation as needed.
• Guide clients through regulatory compliance for public assistance, aligning with federal, state, and local regulations for water/wastewater systems.
• Coordination and Client Support:
• Serve as the primary point of contact for water/wastewater infrastructure-related PA projects, liaising with FEMA, state and local government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with engineering and construction teams to facilitate project planning and execution in alignment with FEMA PA requirements.
• Conduct regular site visits to inspect project progress, provide guidance on corrective actions, and ensure compliance with FEMA policies.
• Analysis and Reporting:
• Conduct analysis of water/wastewater system repair costs, prepare detailed reports, and provide recommendations for cost-saving measures.
• Support clients in preparing project worksheets and submitting claims for reimbursement under the FEMA PA program, including closeout processes.
• Analyze and implement mitigation measures to improve system resilience against future disaster events.
• Training and Capacity Building:
• Train clients and internal team members on FEMA PA program requirements and processes specific to water and wastewater systems.
• Develop best practices for disaster recovery, focusing on resilience and mitigation for water and wastewater infrastructure.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and written. 
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position may have lead responsibilities within projects or small teams depending on function with senior level support.

Expected Hours of Work:

Schedule may vary. Work on evenings and weekends may be required. Dependability and punctuality are paramount.

Travel Requirements:

• Up to 50% travel is expected for this position.
• Must be willing to travel and deploy to client sites for extended periods of time.

Physical Demands:

• Mobility required on-site with clients.
• Sitting or standing for hours at a time.
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time if needed.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. repetitively throughout the day and as needed.

Working Environment:

• Emergency management personnel may work in an office or home environment or be deployed to the field which may require working outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
• Work may be on-site with clients ex: EOC, hospital, debris sites or local government buildings.
• All AC Disaster Consulting (ACDC) positions are remote work site positions with the home location agreed upon at time of hire.
• If the remote work site locations change, ACDC Human Resources must be made aware, and leadership needs to approve any site changes for business registration and payroll tax purposes.

Requirements

Experience/Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in water/wastewater infrastructure, with proven expertise in disaster recovery and FEMA Public Assistance.
• Strong knowledge of FEMA PA policies, with demonstrated experience in project eligibility, compliance, and documentation requirements.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Experience/Education Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Management, or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred, or similar certification in water/wastewater management.
• Familiarity with environmental compliance, permitting, and regulatory frameworks related to water and wastewater systems.
• Experience working directly with FEMA, state emergency management agencies, and other stakeholders in post-disaster recovery contexts.
• Proficiency in project management software and data management tools.

Additional Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without employer sponsored visa is required.
• Must pass company and any applicable client background check and reference check upon offer of employment.

Benefits

Temporary positions are not benefits eligible except where required by law.

EEO Statement

AC Disaster Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to engaging a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

 This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. AC Disaster Consulting will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any protected characteristic. 

Please redact or remove information that identifies applicant's age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at (or graduation from) an educational institution from the resume or other application documents prior to submitting the application. 

 If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting AC Disaster Consulting Human Resources team at [email protected]. 

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