OPS Deputy State Individual Assistance Officer - 31902108

Requisition No: 865324 

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: OPS Deputy State Individual Assistance Officer - 31902108

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 31902108 

Salary:  $40.00/Hour 

Posting Closing Date: 11/28/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS Deputy State Individual Assistance Officer

 Bureau of Recovery 

Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power. FDEM is the liaison between federal, state, and local agencies. FDEM prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities, provides technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures, as well as conducts emergency operations trainings for state and local government agencies.

FDEM serves as the lead agency for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), whose primary goal is the coordination of the state’s efforts during disaster response and recovery. This coordination is conducted within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Additionally, FDEM manages the State Watch Office; the 24-hour a day operation tasked with providing situational awareness to stakeholders statewide. After a disaster, FDEM conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor of the State of Florida on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. It is against this backdrop that FDEM strives to demonstrate its mission of, “Coordinate, collaborate and communicate with our community stakeholders for a resilient Florida” along with our vision of, “Leading the Profession in building prepared and resilient communities”.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This is a professional position within the Bureau of Recovery’s Individual Assistance Unit. This position is responsible for assisting the State Individual Assistance Officer (SIAO) in the planning for and administration of federal and state programs to assist individuals and families following a disaster. The Deputy State Individual Assistance Officer serves as back-up to the SIAO as requested or required. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop plans, processes, and procedures to document best practices, ensure quality control of service delivery, and enhance the Individual Assistance Program.
• Assist the SIAO in determining the size and scope of a disaster and the need for federal assistance.
• Assist in the preparation of federal declaration requests.
• Coordinate State-led Housing Mission activities with the SIAO, FEMA, State Disaster Housing Coordinator, and vendors.
• In the absence or incapacity of the SIAO, temporarily serve in the role of Individual Assistance Branch Director, team-lead, and SIAO.
• Assist with the implementation, coordination, and management of Non-Congregate Sheltering programs and other Public Assistance Grant Funded projects that support individuals and households in disaster recovery.
• Coordinate Individual Assistance Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (IA-JPDAs) with FEMA and local governments following a disaster.
• Conduct quality assurance and quality control of state-administered Individual Assistance programs.
• Attend conferences, meetings, workshops, and other engagements related to Individual Assistance and Disaster Recovery.
• Provide technical assistance or training to local governments and other stakeholders regarding Individual Assistance programs and the damage assessment and declaration process.
• Maintain partnerships with state and federal Agencies, local governments, and non-profit and voluntary agencies as it relates to Individual Assistance and Disaster Recovery programs,
• Seek funding opportunities and other resources to maximize the recovery assistance available to Floridians.
• Assist the Bureau of Recovery leadership with Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting requirements.

• Staff the State Emergency Operations Center, Disaster Recovery Centers, Recovery Coordination Center, and/or other state or regional facilities activated in response to an emergency. Staffing responsibilities may include deployment around the state pre- and/or post-disaster.

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• In response to emergency events, FDEM employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee’s position description.  Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of FEMA Individual Assistance programs, to include the Individuals and Households Program and Direct Housing.
• Knowledge of the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF).
• Knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command Structure (ICS).
• Strong demographic and population research and analysis skills.
• Strong project management skills.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Skill in writing, editing, and oral communications.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and manage on-going relationships with private sector representatives.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks under high stress situations.
• Ability to interact and communicate with high-level officials.
• Skill in developing quality assurance measure.
• Knowledge of social services programs and statewide community resources a plus.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of five years’ experience in Emergency Management or a minimum of three years’ experience in Individual Assistance programs. A post-secondary education may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability and willingness to obtain the necessary primary instructor qualifications within the first 12 months of employment.
• Experience with professional writing, editing, and oral communications.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) with the ability to learn and navigate division enterprise business systems.
• Valid driver’s license.

Special Notes:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

The Division of Emergency Management is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. The Division appreciates the service and sacrifices made by veterans and their family members. Further, FDEM recognizes the immeasurable value veterans bring to the workplace and is committed to increasing the number of veterans that serve in its workforce.

The Division of Emergency Management is committed to increasing recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities and improving employment outcomes. An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the FDEM Human Resources Office at (850) 815-4177. FDEM requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

The State of Florida and the Division of Emergency Management participate in E-Verify. This federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

In response to emergency events, Division of Emergency Management employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee’s position description. Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.