Individual Assistance Director

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Individual Assistance programs and disaster survivor support programs.
• Serve as a senior advisor to SLTT clients regarding Individual Assistance programs, policies, operational strategies, and recovery needs.
• Lead and manage IA project teams, including program managers, supervisors, case management personnel, housing specialists, technical staff, and other project resources.
• Establish project priorities, staffing requirements, performance expectations, operational procedures, and delivery standards.
• Provide leadership and technical guidance related to FEMA Individual Assistance programs and other survivor services, housing assistance, disaster case management, unmet needs, and community resources.
• Assist clients with developing and implementing scalable recovery programs following hurricanes, floods, wildfires, severe storms, and other disaster events.
• Develop operational strategies, staffing models, workflows, policies, procedures, and performance measures for IA programs.
• Monitor program performance, staffing levels, service delivery, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and contractual requirements.
• Identify program risks, operational challenges, service gaps, and emerging survivor needs and develop mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate with FEMA, state emergency management agencies, local governments, tribal and territorial governments, voluntary organizations, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with senior client leadership and government officials.
• Ensure compliance with program requirements, client policies, privacy standards, and applicable regulations.
• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management support to managers, supervisors, and project staff.
• Support workforce planning, recruiting, mobilization, training, and staff development initiatives.
• Participate in client meetings, executive briefings, operational planning sessions, and recovery strategy discussions.
• Support development of scopes of work, staffing plans, technical approaches, proposals, and other business development materials.
• Assist organizational leadership in identifying emerging client needs and opportunities to expand disaster response and recovery services.
• Travel to client and disaster-affected locations as required.
• Perform other duties consistent with senior program leadership responsibilities.

• Directly leads and manages program managers, supervisors, technical staff, housing specialists, case management personnel, and other project resources.
• Provides coaching, mentoring, professional development, and performance management for project staff.
• Establishes staffing requirements, performance expectations, and operational standards.
• Supports workforce planning, recruiting, onboarding, mobilization, and training efforts.
• Oversees multidisciplinary teams supporting disaster response and recovery operations.

• Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience supporting, administering, or leading FEMA Individual Assistance programs.
• Ten (10) or more years of management and leadership experience, including direct supervision of staff, supervisors, and project teams.
• Significant experience managing complex disaster response and recovery programs.
• Demonstrated experience advising SLTT leadership and collaborating directly with FEMA.
• Proven experience resolving complex programmatic issues and leading large-scale disaster operations.
• Experience working with senior government officials, community organizations, and disaster recovery stakeholders.
• Experience developing operational strategies, staffing models, policies, and recovery program frameworks.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university preferred.
• Relevant professional experience may substitute for educational requirements.

• Extensive knowledge of FEMA Individual Assistance and disaster survivor support programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in FEMA IA programs and policies, including Individual and Households Program (IHP), Mass Care/Emergency Assistance, housing and sheltering, Disaster Case Management, and survivor services.
• Strong understanding of disaster response and recovery operations and the needs of disaster-affected communities.
• Proven ability to lead complex, large-scale programs and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong personnel management, mentoring, and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of program operations, service delivery, quality assurance, and performance monitoring.
• Ability to develop practical solutions and operational strategies in rapidly changing disaster environments.
• Strong executive-level communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with government officials, clients, FEMA representatives, and community stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong written communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to lead teams effectively through rapid mobilization and changing operational requirements.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 25% to 50% based on project needs.
• Ability to adapt to changing project priorities and disaster response and recovery requirements.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• Additional certifications in emergency management, human services, project management, disaster recovery, or related fields are a plus.
• Valid driver's license may be required based on travel requirements.

The approximate compensation range for this position is $141,880-$204,242 per year.

This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting.

Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

• Medical, dental, vision insurance

• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

THIS POSTING IS FOR A CURRENT VACANCY AND MICHAEL BAKER INTENDS TO FILL THIS POSITION BY 12/15/2026.