Public Assistance Compliance Specialist

About the role

AC Disaster Consulting (ACDC) offers full-spectrum emergency management services to public and private clients. Our experienced professionals have been part of the growth and modernization of emergency management for nearly 30 years, supporting programs for some of the most challenging natural disasters and catastrophic events under our mission of staying competent, caring, and connected.

Position guided by ACDC’s Corporate Values Platform in all activities.

Mission of Role

Empower communities to improve disaster outcomes and build lasting resilience by conducting project-level validation of FEMA PA work across Categories A–G, with emphasis on emergency work, permanent work, and management costs (CAT-Z).

Responsibilities

• Review project worksheets (PWs), versions, RFIs, and supporting documentation for completeness, eligibility, reasonable cost, and alignment with approved scope.
• Evaluate applicant procurement and contracting files against 2 CFR 200 and FEMA PA procurement policy; document deficiencies and required corrective actions.
• Perform or validate insurance reviews, duplication of benefits analysis, and force-account labor/equipment documentation.
• Identify compliance risks (ineligible work, insufficient documentation, scope creep, cost reasonableness issues, time-limit concerns) and recommend risk-managed paths to resolution.
• Support appeals, first/second appeals packages, and responses to FEMA/state inquiries with policy citations and organized exhibits.
• Track validation metrics (projects reviewed, findings closed, documentation gaps, closeout readiness) for weekly Project Management reporting.
• Contribute to closeout SOP development and consistent application of quality standards across a multi-disaster portfolio.
• Coordinate professionally with applicants/subrecipients, TEMA staff, FEMA counterparts, and internal project leadership.
• Perform other duties related to the role as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge in FEMA PA Categories A, B, and E.
• Experience with at least two major Disaster Recovery efforts.
• Experience working and supporting in an Emergency Operations Center.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and active listening skills.
• Strong time management skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; customer-service oriented.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; flexibility in a dynamic environment.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in MS Excel.
• Experience using database software to work with project eligibility, scope of work, and estimating costs to repair or replace facilities or structures to pre-disaster design.
• Experience with grants portals (EMMIE or state-specific systems).

Requirements

• 1–7+ years of FEMA Public Assistance and grant experience (Junior-level: 1–3 years; Mid-level: 3–5 years; Senior-level: 5–7 years).
• Demonstrated practical knowledge of FEMA PA Categories A, B, and E.
• Demonstrated experience in at least two major disaster recovery efforts.
• Demonstrated experience writing project worksheets (PWs).
• Experience working in and supporting an Emergency Operations Center.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without employer-sponsored visa required.
• Must pass company and any applicable client background and reference checks upon offer of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management or a relevant field.
• Experience conducting preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) in the field with Federal, State, and local officials.
• Financial compliance experience.

Travel

• Up to 25% travel expected; must be willing to travel and deploy to client sites for extended periods.

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 if needed.
• Ability to manipulate up to 25 lbs. repetitively throughout the day and as needed.

Working Environment

• May work in office, home, or field environments; field deployments may involve outdoor work in adverse weather.
• On-site work may occur at EOCs, hospitals, debris sites, or local government buildings.
• Remote work site location agreed upon at hire; any changes require HR approval for business registration and payroll tax purposes.

Workplace Health & Safety

Employees are expected to champion a culture of safety by complying with health and safety policies, completing required training, identifying and reporting hazards, exercising sound judgment, and taking reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves, colleagues, clients, and communities.