6 month contract

Location: Phoenix, AZ (100% on-site)

Job Summary/Basic Function: (Job Summary)

The Public Assistance Specialist/Client Service Representative will be responsible for providing mid-level comprehensive management and financial oversight of awards for the Public Assistance Program. The incumbent of this position will perform a wide variety of functions to estimate work and costs involving damaged or destroyed property/facilities due to natural or man-caused disasters. Perform preliminary assessments of disaster related damage to public infrastructure for determination if a Governor’s Emergency Proclamation or Presidential Declaration is warranted. Work with Applicants to submit Public Assistance (PA) applications for State and federally declared events. Personally, prepares for any time (24/7) response and no-notice recall to the State or Alternate Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and / or Joint Field Office (JFO) during disaster or exercise activations. Trains for specific SEOC positions and performs duties as assigned through internal agency policy.

Duties: (Major Responsibilities/Essential Functions)

Responsibilities include:

• Perform preliminary assessments of disaster related damage to public infrastructure for use in determining if a Governor’s Emergency Proclamation and a Request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration is warranted. Meets with Applicants to inspect damaged facilities and prepare the Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) report.
• Work with disaster recovery Applicants, political subdivisions, to file necessary forms and applications following established State and federal eligibility criteria. Prepare project worksheets following established State and federal eligibility criteria; collect and compile data; coordinate public disaster assistance programs; draft and review policies and procedures for recovery programs.
• Assists full-time staff in conducting classes (both internally and externally) and presentations regarding the Public Assistance (PA) program. Develops and implements PA specific lesson plans.
• Perform interim inspections of work and progress. Perform final inspections of completed work through on-site visits, compare completed work with approved scope of work; review applicant provided cost documentation to ensure the claimed costs are consistent with the work performed.
• Attend training workshops to learn and maintain a working knowledge of State and federal Public Assistance programs for assessing disaster effects and preparing accurate estimates of costs to repair or replace damaged infrastructure.

Selective Preference(s):

Three years of Customer/Client Service and Account Management experience is REQUIRED. Associate’s degree (or higher) and teaching/Instructor credentials/certifications or experience in instructing adult level classes is PREFERRED. Preference given to those with public speaking, staff training/workshop facilitating and/or Public Assistance experience, or equivalent.