IE 11 Not Supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Temporary COVID-19 Recovery Assistant for City of Seattle OEM

A chance to learn the ins and outs of disaster recovery — COVID style.

See this announcement coming from the Seattle Office of Emergency Management:

Like many of you, our teams are busy navigating the FEMA PA process to address the myriad of eligible projects and recoup COVID costs.  This has been no small task and our Recovery & Mitigation Coordinator, Erika Lund, is needing additional assistance. The following is what they shared. [They did not specify this, but I would think the qualifications for this position would include: Attention to detail; good writing and oral communications skills; some background in emergency management preferred.]

If you know of good talent and knowledgeble individuals who would be interested in a temporary position, we would value having you send them our way.  Following is what we are generally looking for and feel free to share.

  • Temporary Hire from as soon as possible thru June 30, 2021.
  • TLT hires do not receive benefits nor leave; however, we are flexible with any leave needs.
  • This person will work closely with Erika Lund, our Recovery & Mitigation Coordinator.  [They did not specify how to submit, so here you go: erika.lund@seattle.gov-- I would send them a current resume via email indicating your availability and interest in the TEMPORARY position]
  • Description of needs and skills:
The current Covid-19 situation is an unprecedented event that has unmatched any previous disaster Seattle has faced.  There are extensive response actions due to Covid-19 and the FEMA public assistance process is exponentially complex and dynamic. OEM needs this additional skilled and knowledgeable FEMA public assistance staffer to ensure the city meets all eligibility requirements, regulations, documentation, and deadlines to recover every possible expense and successfully get 100% reimbursement.  This staffer will work with the OEM Recovery Coordinator. OEM is looking for a person with experience working with FEMA public assistance program and financial systems. Two to five years of experience within the city government system with an understanding of and skills with the city’s financial, budget, contracting, purchasing, grants systems and fiscal/budget staff.  Strong skills in finance management, communications, facilitation, problem-solving, negotiating, and multi-tasking. Tasks supporting the management of the Public Assistance process will include:  Working with contacts in numerous departments on issues of eligibility, documentation requirements, cost estimating, project scoping, etc.; Interfacing with State Emergency Management contacts on the status and process for City of Seattle project approvals; Creating and revising projects in FEMA’s grant portal;  Monitoring and responding to FEMA Requests for Information;  Completing extension request, project certifications, and quarterly reports; Gathering needed documentation from departments and submitting invoices; Managing distribution of reimbursement funding in coordination with Treasury and departments; Maintaining an OEM tracking spreadsheet and other documentation on a Sharepoint site; Provide status updates to standing City working group on federal funding coordination; and Taking relevant to Covid-19 Public Assistance training.

Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.