Section Chief, State Disaster Reimbursements Section

Section Chief, State Disaster Reimbursements Section

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is an emergency response entity, and this status can affect working hours, travel, and change in duties as needed. The Section Chief, under general direction, performs highly advanced (senior level) planning and coordinating of the State Disaster Reimbursements program for TDEM. Work involves coordinating and managing the day-to-day operations and activities of the State Disaster Reimbursements Section and collaborating with TDEM leadership to ensure compliance with state and federal mutual aid, procurement and contracting rules and regulations. This position also coordinates directly with the Disaster Finance Section and maintains situational awareness of operational activities during activations.

Availability for after-hours and weekend work are required. Must have the ability to operate outside of normal working hours on a twelve (12) hour shift during activations of the State Operations Center (SOC) and able to deploy from normal duty station for extended periods in the aftermath of a disaster without relief and to work extended hours. Must have availability for extensive travel as needed by vehicle or other mode of transportation.

This position is at-will status and serves at the discretion of the agency head. The salary is a fixed rate. This position is located on-site and not subject to telecommuting.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities :

• Develop, revise, and implement policies and standard operating procedures for the State Disaster Reimbursements Section. Monitor and evaluate policies and procedures as it relates to disaster finance and to ensure compliance with the State and federal procurement laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with a broad scope of entities including local, state, and federal agencies, organizations, private industry, military forces, volunteer organizations and others.
• Direct and manage the objectives and activities related to the State Disaster Reimbursement program and provide direct and indirect support, consultation, resources and coordination services to partners and constituents.
• Communicate and interact with representatives of other state agencies, federal agencies, and local governments to exchange information regarding the State's Disaster Reimbursement program.
• Oversees and approves schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals.
• Communicate, collaborate, and interact with members of the State's Response Teams.
• Coordinate, train, and plan with the Response Division and Recovery Division before, during and after disasters.
• Conduct program analysis, gap analysis, risk assessment, research studies, legislative assignments and planning for recovery and disaster finance. Analyze disaster finance operations, identify areas of needed change, and make recommendations for improvements to the Division Chief and TDEM leadership.
• Plan, assign, and supervise the work of the staff in the State Disaster Reimbursement Section. Complete performance evaluations and provide coaching and mentoring to direct reports.
• Research and provide mutual aid reimbursement guidance to the Disaster Finance Division, Deputy Chief, and TDEM leadership.
• Maintain and track progress on multiple and complex projects simultaneously. Provide Division Chief with status updates on an as-needed basis. Ensure deadlines are met and federal and state laws are followed.
• Conducts the mutual aid reimbursement guide development and program management functions (e.g., assessment of risk, verification of performance of processing reimbursements, monitoring compliance with deliverable and reporting requirements, enforcing of guide compliance, and development and conducting training) related to the state disaster reimbursement program.
• May collaborate with TDEM Finance regarding payment processing.
• Will coordinate with the Disaster Finance section on seeking reimbursement from funding sources for eligible costs.
• Ability to work extended hours in the SOC and be ready to respond to changing priorities and operational needs.
• Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
• Face-to-face and person-to-person interactions are required.
• Ability to travel (30 %).
• Performs related work as assigned.
• Maintains a regular work schedule and work extended hours when needed.

Minimum Qualifications :

Education - Bachelor's degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience - Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible work experience in metropolitan or state public sector organizations, military organizations, or business management within a private organization, of which two (2) years or more shall have been in a management capacity.

Preferred Qualifications : Knowledge or experience in the Public Assistance program and general compliance and finance practices is preferred.

Additional work experience or the type described above may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis. Thirty (30) semester hours is equivalent to one (1) year of experience. A completed advanced degree in a relevant field may also be substituted in lieu of work experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Registration, Certification or Licensure :

Equal Opportunity / Veterans / Disability Employer.