Hyattsville, Maryland, United States
I was raised in a household with one tenet chief among all others: “Be a leader, not a follower". I am blessed to have amassed 10 years in Emergency Management, with a lifetime to go. My burgeoning experience includes significant tenure in all levels of government (federal, state and local), along with a stint in the private sector. I look forward to continued advancement in my career, improving my knowledge, skills and abilities, and ultimately effectively serving others. Thank you for connecting with me.
The Staffing Management Lead (SML) is a critical figure in the Strategic Resource Management (SRM) staffing process. The SML supports the effective coordination of PA staffing and resource adjudication for the respective Zone including the development of Strategic Resource Plans, staffing analysis, and monitoring and tracking of staffing requests. The SML provides critical situational awareness for notice and no-notice events in the Zone and builds and maintains effective relationships with event and regional stakeholders. The SML provides support for field After Action Reviews for the improvement of SRM, the development of field staffing deployment, and engagement strategies. The SML utilizes and helps develop tools for disaster staffing coordination related to SRM. The SML also ensure the effective use of resources and operational monitoring of active events and represent SRM to the field. Typical assignments include: • Providing coordination to ensure that policies and procedures developed are consistent with policy and guidance. • Supporting the development of Public Assistance staffing plans in coordination with the appropriate stakeholders. • Conducting analysis, making recommendations, and drafting reports and procedures regarding staffing and resourcing for Public Assistance operations. • Providing guidance on related policies and procedures. • Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders in the Zone or Zones, including delivering briefings or presentations, and/or facilitating meetings.
* Operating and Thriving in PAGS and Infrastructure Branch Director (IBD) roles, and handling associated responsibilities: * Delivering the Public Assistance Grant Program through field delivery. * Providing customer service to the Recipient and sub-recipient throughout the project development process of the Public Assistance Grant Program. *Determining eligibility of Public Assistance funding during project development. *Completing coach evaluations for employees’ Position Task Books. Notable Projects: - DR4630/4643/4663-KY - DR4697/4727-MS
As a Program Delivery Manager (PDMG), I provided services to local, state, and federal clients by performing technical and management consulting in support of the FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program, FEMA Planning and Coordination Program, and other determined needs.
RESPONSIBILITIES: -- Performing responsible work planning for the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery of man-made, technological, or natural emergencies and disasters that could affect the City/County of Durham. -- Responsible for developing and maintaining Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG) plans for the County and City of Durham. -- Reviewing COOP/COG plans developed by City/County departments and makes recommendations for improvements. -- Work performed under direction of the Emergency Management Division Chief. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES: -- Understanding of federal, state, and local emergency management policies, procedures, laws, and operations -- Understanding of the Robert T. Stafford Act as it relates to mitigation and recovery operations -- Knowledge of computers, software applications -- Knowledge of local government structures and resources -- Knowledge of Emergency Management planning, training, and exercising -- Ability to learn and express leadership traits -- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing -- Ability to make recommendations based on good situational awareness -- Ability to motivate peers and stakeholders -- Ability to deal tactfully with elected/appointed officials, stakeholders, and the public to establish and maintain effective relationships -- Available for call-back during significant emergencies and disasters -- Ability to operate under physically and mentally stressful emergency situations for prolonged periods of time -- Ability to compile and interpret, statistical data and make recommendations
As a Public Assistance Specialist, I was responsible for key involvement in the management of the Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program from the preliminary stages to closeout on the state level. This included communicating with applicants (subgrantees) in regards to their inquiries, as well as maintaining their applications for public assistance. Interpreting and applying regulations, procedures, and other important disaster recovery information was a very important component in my growing set of skills in this position. I am knowledgeable on the entire process in order to be sure that applicants are in accordance with federal regulations such as the Stafford Act and the Code of Federal Regulations number 44 (44 CFR). I also arranged, attended, and presented in meetings and training courses, had a hand in preparing for and executing events, disseminated pertinent information to necessary personnel, and completed other tasks and projects related to emergency management as a member of the overall South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
This represents time at The University of South Carolina as a Master's student in the Geography department under the wise tutelage and advisement of Dr. Susan Cutter and Dr. Chris Emrich, both profound leaders in Natural Hazards research. As I fulfill my course requirements and research obligations, I work in the Hazards Vulnerability Research Institute (HVRI) housed within the Geography department. Through being the go-to person for creating Geographic Information Systems analysis outputs for the Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI), data entry and quality assurance & quality control with our Spatial Hazards Events and Losses Database for the U.S. (SHELDUS) and teamwork on recovery projects associated with Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, I am becoming Increasingly knowledgeable and skilled as I work towards graduation and have started my career as of march 17th in a position for the State Government of South Carolina.