Work Location: Papago Park Military Reservation (PPMR), Phoenix, AZ

PAY RATE: $26.9701 - $37.7612 per hour (DOE)

Grade: 24

Closing Date: 7/9/2025

The Public Assistance Branch Manager manages full-life cycle State and federal Public Assistance funds. Serve as the State Public Assistance Officer for State and federal disasters. Performs highly technical work of considerable difficulty and complexity while assisting the DEMA/EM leadership in planning, organizing and coordinating the activities of the Division. Designs and interprets administrative codes, policies, and procedures, and provides technical advice to executive leadership and political subdivisions as necessary on such matters. Responsible for federal reporting activities, legislative reports, and the implementation of the Division’s Strategic Plan. Make recommendations for federal and State audits. Responsible for administration and close-out of State and federal disaster programs. Responsible for providing input to pertinent sections of the State Emergency Response and Recovery Plan and Arizona Disaster Recovery Framework. Analyzes information relative to developing situations to determine potential for a Governor’s declaration and/or a federal declaration. Coordinates with federal, State and local agencies before, during, and after disasters. Ensures legal and technical compliance with the provisions and criteria of emergency and disaster laws. Reviews, analyzes and approves final reimbursements for State and federal Public Assistance programs. Develops and directs training on emergency management and disaster recovery. Represents the Division in meetings with federal, state, local, and tribal entities providing interpretation of agency programs, policies, and regulations.
Arizona is one of five State Managed States for federal disaster declarations, making this position responsible for the implementation and management of disaster recovery Public Assistance programs and staff for the State of Arizona, for both State and federally declared disasters. Acts as final signature authority on financial and official documents for State and federal disaster recovery programs.

Responsibilities include:
• Executes functional departmental plans and contributes to the development of functional or departmental strategies; plans, organizes, and leads the activities of the Public Assistance Branch. Implements and manages State and federal Public Assistance grant programs for the State of Arizona. Establishes branch Standard Operating Procedures; Recommends changes to division policy, A.R.S. and A.A.C Title 8. Represents the Public Assistance Branch during declared disasters, activations of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), and/or FEMA's Joint Field Office (JFO) during disasters or exercises. Interface with the DEMA/EM leadership, the State Emergency Council, State Legislators, and County Boards of Supervisors, Mayors, County and City Managers, other states, and national emergency management organizations in the management of disaster recovery program funds. Conducts Applicant Briefings for State and federal disaster declarations, Liaisons between FEMA Public Assistance and DEMA/EM Public Assistance. Proactively identifies and resolves conflicts/concerns from Applicants regarding customer service, program delivery, and overall satisfaction.
• Develops the budget, administers, and closes out State and federal disaster programs. Ensures legal and technical compliance with the provisions and criteria of the emergency and disaster laws. Reviews, analyzes, and oversees the approval of final reimbursements for federal and/or State Public Assistance programs. Develops disaster declarations, amendments, and terminations; recommends convenience of the State Emergency Council and establishes the initial agenda and motions; supports the Governor’s Authorized Representative for federal disasters; and provides signatory authority on programmatic, financial, and other official documents for State and/or federal Public Assistance programs, and other disaster funded programs as assigned. Conducts continuing analyses of budget authorizations, obligations, and expenditures to determine the need for modification of funding levels as they relate to the emergency programs. Coordinates the use of State inspectors and auditors. Determines eligibility of claimed costs in accordance with grant guidance. Approve payment of State and/or federal funds. Analyzes information relative to developing situations to determine potential for a Governor’s declaration and/or a federal declaration and providing recommendations to leadership based on federal and/or State laws, executive orders, regulations, and codes. Ensures legal and technical compliance with the provisions and criteria of the emergency and disaster laws; reviews, analyzes, and approves final reimbursements for federal and State Public Assistance programs, and makes recommendations for federal and State audits.
• Distinguishes issues that require awareness and/or decisions from executive leadership. Provides Subject Matter Expert knowledge level of State and federal Public Assistance programs and other disaster programs. Provides technical assistance to the Division Director and/or the Governor's Authorized Representative by analyzing information relative to developing situations to determine potential for a Governor’s declaration and/or a federal declaration and providing recommendations to the Division Director to approve or deny applications for assistance and/or eligibility determinations based on State laws or statutes; provides input to pertinent sections of the State Emergency Response and Recovery Plan and Arizona Disaster Recovery Framework, the Annual Report to the Legislature on expenditures and activities of the Governor’s Emergency Fund, and quarterly reports to the State and federal government through the Division’s Strategic Plan and reports to the Legislature. Coordinates and reviews external messaging with the DEMA/EM Public Information Officer.
• Establishes, oversees, and conducts the hiring, training, evaluation, and discipline of the managers, supervisors and/or professional staff of the Public Assistance Branch and its staff of 31 full time and Reservist staff, including 6 direct reports. When necessary and applicable, oversight and supervision may include additional staff in the form of other states' emergency workers, contractors, consultants, temporary hires, and employees of other State Agencies; creates and promotes a productive work environment, ensuring that necessary skills and competencies are in place to meet the goals of the Division.
• Reviews the progress of all operational projects and reports on the performance of multiple units to the Director; identifies major resource constraints that impact implementation of desired organizational goals; develops plans and delivers results in fast changing environment and provides input to functional or departmental strategy; and provides guidance on managing the federal Public Assistance program within Arizona, as a State Managed State. May serve as Alternate Governor’s Authorized Representative providing technical support to the Governor’s Authorized Representative, the Governor, and State Legislators, federal executives, congressional delegates, and local executives. Serves as the State’s Public Assistance Officer for State and federal Disasters and as the Program Delivery Task Force Leader and Public Assistance Group Supervisor for federal disasters. Exercises independent judgment to adapt departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges. In consultation with the executive leadership, makes decisions guided by laws, policies, procedures, leadership guidance, and business plans. Exercises independent judgment to adapt departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges.
• Develops and directs Applicant Briefings throughout the State. Attends training/workshops to learn and maintain Subject Matter Expert knowledge level of State and federal Public Assistance programs and other associated disaster and mitigation programs. Develop, approve, and conduct training and/or presentations for internal staff and throughout the State of Arizona regarding the Public Assistance programs, and other Recovery programs, in addition to instructing FEMA Recovery classes. Special assignments as requested by the DEMA/EM leadership such as appointments to public & private sector councils, committees, and review panels. Attend agency required training for specific SEOC positions and performs duties as assigned through internal agency policy.

Knowledge of:
• Broad and generally deep understanding of all facets of management and leadership, as well as a vision for the branch being managed.
• Exceptional knowledge of federal laws, acts, rules, policies and codes regarding disaster recovery programs. (44CFR, 2CFR, Stafford Act, FEMA Policies).
• State statutes and codes regarding disaster recovery programs. (Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona Administrative Code). State and Federal financial management, procurement, and audit.
• State and federal Public Assistance programs.
• Thorough working knowledge of interrelationships among various internal and external organizational functions.
• Thorough working knowledge of most infrastructure technologies and in-house developed applications utilized.
• Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) project and program execution.

Skilled in:
• Legislative and administrative procedures in State government.
• Providing effective guidance and technical expertise to all levels of government and stakeholders.
• Leading and facilitating committees and work group across diverse organizations.
• Management techniques and leadership in stressful environments.
• Developing, interpreting, and conceptualizing federal and state, acts, rules, policies, statutes, codes and regulations.
• Developing strategy and proactively monitoring and leveraging resources to lead in best practices in emergency management.
• Developing and monitoring high-level budgets, reporting overall budget to executive teams, and monitoring/tracking related costs and approving expenditures.
• Oral and written communications.

Ability to:
• Be accountable for oversight and management of federal and State programs, policies, procedures, and employment practices that are compliant with laws and regulations.
• Define and provide guidance on immediate and long-term goals, priorities, and operational plans to ensure reporting managers and supervisors are aligned with goals and priorities of the organization.
• Manage a cross-functional team driving both internal and external execution to meet obligations for State and federal targets for recovery.
• Operate with no direct supervision in a complex environment.
• Understand problems and limitations specific to natural and other disasters.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred. 10+ years of experience in the Public Assistance program is preferred. 5+ years’ experience in Grant Management is preferred. Experience in Grants Portal/Manager is preferred.

Special Job Requirements:
• Requires possession of and ability to retain a current and valid Arizona State Driver's license.
• Requires possession of and ability to retain a current and valid enhanced state-issued ID/driver's license, or a state-issued ID/driver's license and valid passport within 6 months from date of hire.
• In & Out of State travel required
• Individual is required to pass a criminal background investigation and have identification enabling them to enter federal facilities.

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Eligible DEMA employees participate in excellent retirement programs provided by the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and for fire personnel the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact hr@azdema.gov.
DEMA is a smoke-free work environment.
ADA/EEO Employer
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Employer