Disaster Engineering Specialist — Field Inspections & Claims Support

CDM Smith; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 36,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking a Disaster Engineering Specialist to perform site inspections, document infrastructure damage and develop scoping estimates. The role requires reviewing designs and proposing priority projects in coordination with applicants and FEMA.

Qualifications include a Bachelor’s in Engineering, 5 years of field experience or 2 years with professional registration, and domestic travel. This onsite position emphasizes technical rigor, written and verbal communication, and adaptability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• 5 years of in-field experience or 2 years of in-field experience with a professional registration.
• Domestic travel is required.

Responsibilities

• Conducts site inspections to validate and record infrastructure damage, including photographs and site sketches.
• Reviews engineering reports, designs, and as‑built plans.
• Evaluates hazard mitigation proposals and benefit‑cost analyses, prioritizes projects with applicants and communicates final determinations.
• Provides analyses and updates reports, participates in status update meetings with FEMA, and identifies the need for technical specialists.
• May coordinate and complete basic to moderately complex site inspections to validate and record damage for the FEMA Public Assistance grant delivery process.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

US Citizenship

FEMA badge eligibility

Design software knowledge

Construction materials knowledge

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

CDM Smith is seeking a Disaster Engineering Specialist to perform site inspections, document infrastructure damage and develop scoping estimates. The role requires reviewing designs and proposing priority projects in coordination with applicants and FEMA.

Qualifications include a Bachelor’s in Engineering, 5 years of field experience or 2 years with professional registration, and domestic travel. This onsite position emphasizes technical rigor, written and verbal communication, and adaptability.