Project Specialist (Technical Team)

Summary:
Are you a recent college graduate with a passion for the environment or a desire to play a part in creating resilient communities?

As part of YA Government Services Technical Team, you'll have the unique opportunity to do just that. In this entry-level role you'll gain hands-on experience providing crucial administrative, technical, and programmatic support throughout the entire lifecycle of federal and state grant programs – with a strong emphasis on mitigation projects that build stronger, more resilient communities.

You'll play a key role in communicating expectations and requirements with project applicants, analyzing proposals and budgets, conducting site inspections across the Florida Panhandle to ensure compliance with the established program requirements, and providing coordination between Local, State and Federal levels of government and other entities.

This is a fully remote position. However, candidates must be located in Florida or South Georgia.

Company Overview:
YA is an international professional services organization providing forensic consulting, engineering, risk mitigation, and related services. Founded over 25 years ago as a property damage consulting firm, YA has expanded through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Today, YA has over 700 professionals dedicated to excellence, partnership, and driving innovation.

YA’s Government Services division partners with government and corporations to protect the communities we love. Our team specializes in emergency management, disaster mitigation, grants administration, floodplain management, urban and regional planning, and community resilience for public, private, and non-profit sector clients. Government Services brings the insight and creative strategies needed to deliver outstanding results to clientele around the nation.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Oversee the lifecycle of mitigation projects from pre-award review to award closeout, communicating and collaborating with all applicable parties (counties, cities, state, etc.).
• Draft project agreements, reviewing requested modifications and updating as needed until a final agreement has been executed.
• Conduct technical reviews to assess the eligibility, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of HMA grant applications.
• Submit completed project applications to FEMA for funding.
• Perform site inspections across the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas to verify project compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Continuously monitor active projects, reviewing quality reports, processing payments, communicating with all involved parties, and ensuring compliance regulations are met.  
• Collect, analyze, organize, and summarize financial/grant data.
• Assist with federal and client-specific reporting requirements.
• Track and monitor budgets; communicate results with project and client management.
• Research and maintain fluency in rules and regulations associated with various federal programs, including but not limited to FEMA, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), programs under the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA), or other federal funding workstreams with state and local clients.
• Form trusted advisor relationships with clients, project management, state agencies, sub-recipients, and internal subject matter experts.
• Assist client performance management of FEMA funds through routinely and proactively assessing the overall portfolio, anticipating challenges, and providing recommendations.
• Upon completion of projects, oversee final project inspections and closeout processes referencing the original project agreement. 
• Other projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or related field.
• 1+ years’ experience in engineering, construction fieldwork, or architectural practices; relevant internships will also be considered.
• Experience conducting engineering, construction, or architectural site inspections.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for developing reports and providing technical guidance.
• Proficiency in FEMA-approved benefit-cost analysis methodologies for HMA grant applications preferred.
• Frequent travel throughout Florida's Panhandle required (up to 50%).

Fraudulent Recruitment Alert:

Please be vigilant against fraudulent recruitment attempts. YA will never ask for personal financial information (such as bank account numbers or identification numbers) via social media or chat-based apps. We also will not request money for the purchase of business equipment or conduct interviews solely via text message.

All official email communications regarding your application will come from [email protected] or directly from a member of our talent team using an @yagroup.com domain name.

If you suspect any fraudulent activity, please contact us directly at [email protected].