Substantial Damage Assessor

About the role

AC Disaster Consulting (ACDC) offers full-spectrum emergency management services to public and private clients. Our experienced professionals have been a part of the growth and modernization of emergency management for nearly 30 years, proudly supporting programs for some of the most challenging natural disasters and catastrophic events under our mission of staying competent, caring, and connected. Driven by compassion. Defined by expertise. Strengthened by collaboration. We empower communities to improve disaster outcomes and build lasting resilience. In the true spirit of emergency management – ACDC seeks to solve crises, both for the communities and individuals affected by disasters as well as for the clients we serve. Our team brings a whole community approach, compassionate guidance and decades of hands-on experience to best embody our core values: competent, caring, and connected. The position will be guided by ACDC’s Corporate Values Platform in all activities. The Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE) Inspector is responsible for evaluating structures in disaster-affected areas to determine the extent of damage and assess whether the building is substantially damaged or in need of substantial improvement, according to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations. This role is critical in supporting post-disaster recovery efforts and ensuring compliance with floodplain management requirements. The SDE Inspector works closely with local officials, property owners, and other stakeholders to collect and analyze data necessary for damage assessments.

Responsibilities

• Perform on-site inspections of residential and non-residential structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) to determine the extent of damage from disasters such as floods, fires, and other events.
• Use the FEMA Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE) tool to collect detailed information about building conditions, including the condition of structural components, utilities, and other elements.
• Document damage through photographs, field notes, and measurements, ensuring all necessary data is captured for accurate assessments.
• Input collected field data into the SDE software to generate damage assessments for structures.
• Ensure the accuracy of data by cross-referencing local building records, tax assessments, and other available resources to determine pre-damage market values and estimated repair costs.
• Update and maintain records in the SDE database, ensuring all data is properly organized and geo-referenced.
• Ensure all damage assessments comply with NFIP regulations, specifically focusing on determining if structures meet the threshold for substantial damage (i.e., repair costs equal or exceed 50% of the structure’s pre-damage market value).
• Generate detailed reports for local authorities and property owners, summarizing findings and providing information on required steps for compliance with floodplain management ordinances.
• Work with local and state officials to communicate findings and assist in developing recovery plans that meet regulatory requirements.
• Serve as a liaison between property owners and local government officials to explain inspection findings and regulatory requirements.