Public Assistance Generalist

Dcmc-Partners; Guaynabo (PR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health insurance

401K

Disability

Paid Time Off

Bonus Incentives

Job summary

DCMC Partners in Guaynabo, PR seeks a Public Assistance Generalist to advise clients through FEMA PA processes, ensuring compliance and effective recovery project management.

The role collaborates with municipalities, federal representatives, and internal teams, interpreting FEMA policies, evaluating costs, and identifying mitigation opportunities to maximize eligible reimbursements while meeting regulatory requirements. On-site position Monday through Friday.

Qualifications

• Advanced level of knowledge in FEMA Public Assistance programs.
• Ability to interpret PA policy and procedures and read project guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Explain Public Assistance guidance, policy, and regulations to stakeholders.
• Establish relationships with Municipalities and federal agency representatives.
• Identify applicable regulations to determine best method of project implementation.
• Maintain compliance with FEMA policies and procedures.
• Review damage descriptions, scopes of work, PW, and cost estimates for accuracy.

Skills

FEMA PA experience

Policy interpretation

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Bilingual Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Titles: Public Assistance Generalist

Reports to: Project Manager

Location: Guaynabo, PR

Who we are:

DCMC Partners, a Great Place to Work®-Certified company, is a crisis management and public safety consulting firm that helps public, non-profit, and private sector organizations approach the unknown with confidence. Leveraging decades of experience and a team of industry experts, DCMC Partners helps our clients effectively prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from crises and disasters of all kinds.

DCMC Partners is a leader in providing crisis management services, including disaster recovery operations support, long-term recovery organization development, strategic advice, hazard mitigation expertise, grants management, and business continuity planning.

Our team has managed response and recovery efforts for nearly every historic disaster in the past 25 years. With a full suite of emergency management services, we are your partners before disaster strikes and as you become more resilient for future crises. Learn more about our services, read about our cases, and discover for yourself the DCMC Partners difference.

Job Summary:

The Public Assistance Generalist serves as a key advisor and subject matter resource in supporting clients throughout the FEMA Public Assistance (PA) grant process. This role is responsible for interpreting and applying FEMA policies, regulations, and guidance; ensuring program compliance; and assisting stakeholders in the development, implementation, and management of disaster recovery projects. The Public Assistance Generalist works closely with municipalities, government agencies, federal representatives, and internal project teams to review project documentation, validate damage assessments, evaluate scopes of work and cost estimates, identify hazard mitigation opportunities, and resolve complex eligibility and compliance issues.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical knowledge of FEMA Public Assistance programs with exceptional analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills to help clients maximize recovery outcomes while maintaining compliance with federal and local requirements. This position reports to the Project Manager and supports multiple recovery initiatives across Puerto Rico.

This is a full-time, in-office position in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Explaining Public Assistance guidance, policy, and regulations to stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain relationships with Municipalities, other local government agencies, and federal agency representatives.
• Identify and interpret applicable federal and local regulations to determine the best method of project implementation.
• Maintain compliance with applicable state and federal policies and procedures relating to the Public Assistance Program.
• Ensure program compliance with all FEMA laws, regulations, and policies as well as while advocating for the Client's needs.
• Conduct detailed reviews for accuracy, completeness, and correctness of DDD, SOW, PW, and CEFs to identify missing information and coordinate to resolve.
• Ensure program compliance with all FEMA laws, regulations, and policies as well as while advocating for the Client's needs.
• Conduct detailed reviews for accuracy, completeness, and correctness of damage descriptions, scopes of work, Project Worksheets (PW), and cost estimates related to complex repair and replacement PWs.
• Identify missing information and coordinate with counterparts to resolve.
• Assisting stakeholders with developing priorities and expectations for recovery programs.
• Assessments for damages to public infrastructure and review of damage estimates.
• Inspection of partially completed and completed work for compliance with FEMA requirements.
• Documenting and advising stakeholders on the technical validity of claims.
• Identify feasible hazard mitigation strategies that comply with all programmatic and regulatory requirements and develop benefit-cost analyses to justify the proposed mitigation measure.
• Assist stakeholders in the development of appeals and extension requests when necessary.
• Data entry into database or spreadsheet platforms.
• Track and record work activities accurately and promptly into DCMC timekeeping system.

Skill and Abilities:

• Advanced level of experience in FEMA Public Assistance programs.
• Knowledge of Method of Repairs (MORs).
• Demonstrated ability to interpret PA policy and procedures and read and interpret project guidelines and contracts.
• Advanced level of knowledge of disaster recovery, emergency management, and associated state/federal legislation with the ability to research and organize data, prepare written reports, and conduct data analysis.
• Advanced level of experience using FEMA, State, and Local grants management workflow software and document management systems.
• Intermediate or higher capability in the use of provided IT and document management tools to create, organize, and maintain project documents, including Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint).
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as within a team framework to accomplish objectives under a tight deadline.
• Bi-lingual - Ability to effectively communicate in Spanish (written and orally).
• Self-motivated, organized, detail-oriented, and flexible with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Experience Required:

• Minimum 2 years of demonstrated experience working with FEMA PA, Programs and Policies, governmental organizations, and government officials as a Program Delivery Manager, Site Inspector, Policy Advisor, Cost Estimator, FEMA Certified Trainer, Hazard Mitigation Specialist (Sections 404/406) among others

Education Requirements:

• Required - Bachelor's degree
• Preferred - Bachelor's Degree in a related field (Engineering including Civil, Structural, Electrical, Coastal, or Water Resources, Architecture, Construction or Construction Inspections, Costing, Quality Assurance, Environmental Science or Environmental Planning, Historic Preservation, or Insurance.

Additional Requirements

• Must reside in Puerto Rico.
• Must be able to work on-site in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.
• Ability to occasionally work outside regular business hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Occasional travel to client and subrecipient locations may be required based on project needs, business requirements, and operational demands.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health insurance, 401K, Disability, Paid Time Off, and Bonus Incentives.

Working Conditions

• Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• This is an in-office position located in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.
• Occasional evening, weekend, or extended-hours work may be required based on project needs.

Public Health Requirement:

• DCMC's policy requires DCMC employees to meet Federal and/or local public health protective measures, whichever are the most cautious.

DCMC Partners Commitment to Diversity

• DCMC Partners is an equal opportunity employer. We support a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veterans

For more information about DCMC Partners, please visit our website at dcmcpartners.com/careers.