Program Specialist - 31001505

Requisition No: 870882 

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: Program Specialist - 31001505

 Pay Plan: CS Exempt (EOG)

Position Number: 31001505 

Salary:  $55,172.16 

Posting Closing Date: 03/11/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Program Specialist

Bureau of Mitigation

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 position serves as a Program Specialist in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Unit of the Bureau of Mitigation and will assist the HMGP Community Program Manager (CPM) in providing support of the State of Florida’s Mitigation efforts for the HMGP. This is an advanced position that involves research, preparation of outreach materials, report writing (i.e. research special hazard mitigation issues and provide written opinion), planning and evaluation, monitoring, conducting presentations/trainings and performing a variety of technical activities for federally funded traditional/non-traditional mitigation projects in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules and procedures. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assist the Community Program Manager (CPM) by providing support of Mitigation efforts for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). 
• Assist the CPM in identifying program priorities and monitoring program status.
• Assist with development of procedures and policies, spreadsheets, and related methods of communication.
• Work with FDEM External Affairs Office to develop publications and other educational elements about Florida’s mitigation efforts. Coordinate with staff to compile work products and other program materials for special projects or other unique requests.
• Review reports and other special projects.
• Develop outreach strategy.
• Conduct on-going gap analysis of procedures/resources of the HMGP program and present findings with recommendations.
• Conduct quality control reviews.
• Provide technical assistance on hazard mitigation issues to state and local governments and other entities on hazard mitigation activities.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops related to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
• Update and submit new Administrative Plan for the newest presidentially declared disaster within 30 days of the date of declaration.
• Develop Implementation Plan/Mitigation strategy in coordination with FEMA.
• Develop HMGP presentations and associated materials.
• Monitor Program Application Deadlines with FEMA and request time extensions, as needed.
• Coordinate with FEMA on applicable program activities.
• Prepare Grant Period of Performance Extensions, as needed.
• Respond to public and other inquiries about mitigation, either by phone, letter, or email.
• Update program guidance materials and website information. 
• Support CPM with oversight of HMGP updates to the electronic applications and procedures manual.
• Provide reporting quarterly to LMS with project status information.
• Assist with program audits, as needed.
• Oversee Program Administrative Rule updates.
• 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:

• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to traditional/non-traditional mitigation activities, governed by federal and state laws.
• Ability to apply engineering principles and standards through qualitative analysis and evaluation.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze data to develop alternative recommendations and solve problems.
• Ability to organize data into logical format or presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding research.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, ability to present reports, and make presentations before groups, organizations, and other staff members.
• Ability to provide technical assistance to state and local governments and other entities on mitigation projects and program related issues.
• Ability to arrange for and conduct site inspections, quality control reviews, and audits of sub-grantees and others as necessary.
• Ability to independently conduct project eligibility reviews for traditional/non-traditional mitigation projects, manage, and monitor.
• Ability to manage all aspects of a grant and its implementing contract, including preparation of the scope of services, budget, and assurances, processing the financial reimbursements and monitoring mitigation activities for compliance with the approved scope of services and budget.
• Ability to work independently, as well as under close supervision in performing job tasks and assignments.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Travel and work non-traditional hours, especially during emergency events and assume disaster relief duties as directed.
• Demonstrated computer software skills, including work processing skills and skills in database/spreadsheet software, including but not limited to PowerPoint.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) with the ability to learn and navigate division enterprise business systems.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) certification or have the ability and willingness to obtain within the first 12 months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants.

Special Notes:

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

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

FDEM 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 the Human Resources Office 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 FDEM 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, FDEM employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including nights, 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.