Recovery Programs Director (FEMA Disaster Recovery)

Location: Hybrid in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, United States; approximately 25%–50% travel, including occasional field activity and client-site work.

Compensation: $111,363–$154,337 per year.

Company

Engineering and consulting services provider delivering infrastructure, design, planning, environmental, construction, program management, and disaster resilience solutions.

What you will do

• Provide executive and programmatic oversight for FEMA Public Assistance, Section 406 mitigation, Section 428 Alternative Procedures, HMGP, and related recovery engagements.
• Lead mobilization, governance, work planning, staffing, communications, reporting, and performance management for task-order and portfolio engagements.
• Oversee project formulation, eligibility, scopes of work, cost estimates, benefit-cost analyses, EHP documentation, procurement, insurance, reimbursements, appeals, closeout, and audit support.
• Coordinate engineering, feasibility, cost estimating, EHP, BCA, grant compliance, hazard mitigation, QA/QC, data analysis, reporting, administration, and logistics workstreams.
• Monitor schedules, budgets, staffing, deliverables, risks, corrective actions, documentation, and client commitments while embedding audit-ready controls and peer review.
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary personnel, support business development, maintain government and stakeholder relationships, and build local capacity across Puerto Rico and other jurisdictions.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience supporting, administering, or leading federally funded disaster recovery, hazard mitigation, infrastructure, emergency management, or grants programs, including at least 8 years of management and leadership experience.
• Experience with FEMA Public Assistance and at least one of HMGP, Section 406 mitigation, Section 428 Alternative Procedures, hazard mitigation planning, or federal grant compliance.
• Experience managing complex, multi-project portfolios and client-facing engagements involving schedules, budgets, staffing, deliverables, quality, and contractual requirements.
• Experience developing or defending eligibility, scope, cost, documentation, compliance, reimbursement, or funding positions with governmental or federal stakeholders.
• Experience with audit readiness, monitoring, closeout, corrective actions, or resolution of complex programmatic issues.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, planning, emergency management, public administration, business administration, finance, accounting, construction management, environmental science, or a related field. A relevant master’s degree may be considered in lieu of required experience according to company policy.
• Advanced knowledge of FEMA PA policy, the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide, HMGP or HMA requirements, Section 406 mitigation, Section 428 Alternative Procedures, and applicable federal cost principles.
• Working knowledge of 2 CFR Part 200, procurement, cost reasonableness, insurance, EHP/NEPA, documentation retention, audits, appeals, reimbursements, and grant closeout.
• Ability to establish governance, project controls, dashboards, KPIs, issue logs, risk registers, QA/QC processes, and executive reporting; communicate, negotiate, facilitate, write, and present at an executive level.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and grants management, project tracking, reporting, or data visualization systems; ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred for Puerto Rico-based assignments and may be required when interacting directly with subrecipients.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 25%–50%; a valid driver’s license may be required based on travel and field responsibilities.

Nice to have

• Puerto Rico recovery experience and experience working with recipients and subrecipients.
• Project Management Professional, Certified Emergency Manager, Certified Floodplain Manager, grants management, Lean Six Sigma, or comparable certification.
• Professional Engineer, Registered Architect, or Licensed Professional Planner credential.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid, professional office, and client-site work with regular virtual and in-person meetings.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; HSA; FSA; life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid time off, commuter and wellness benefits, and professional and personal development opportunities.
• Equal opportunity employment with pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks.
• Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.