This is a four-year position

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life by providing funding and support to New York City’s cultural community, including the 34 institutions that comprise the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) and more than 1,100 non-profit cultural organizations that receive regular annual support. This constituency represents a diverse array of organizations - including performing arts groups, museums, theaters, zoos, botanical gardens, visual arts and film centers, community-based organizations, and arts education programs – that are central to the life of communities in every corner of New York City. DCLA also manages a significant portfolio of cultural capital projects; provides free donated materials and supplies for arts programs and arts educators through its Materials for the Arts program; provides capacity building and technical assistance support to cultural groups; and commissions works of permanent public art through the City’s Public Art Program.

The Department of Cultural Affairs is currently seeking a FEMA Recovery Specialist to serve as the lead project manager for the agency’s complex FEMA projects resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

Under direction, with wide latitude for independent judgment and decision, the FEMA Recovery Specialist will oversee compliance, audit preparation and grants management for projects receiving grant funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The position includes difficult and complex project management work related to FEMA-recovery projects with significant financial, procedural consequences. Specific projects will include all aspects of the restoration and mitigation of damages by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) at the New York Aquarium following Hurricane Sandy, one of the largest single-site Sandy recovery projects in the City of New York. Advanced familiarity with FEMA requirements and project management will be required; Hurricane Sandy-related, NYC-specific experience is preferred.

Working closely with the DCLA Legal team and other project partners, typical tasks will include but are not limited to the following:

- Project Management:
Works directly with EDC on project management; works with other City entities and WCS to keep projects on track; collaborates with partner agencies and WCS in developing and updating tracking systems or timelines for project management.

- Drafting:
Negotiates, drafts, or revises intricate or significant documents, including documents prepared by WCS or its counsel, and organizes cross-agency review of procedural documents, memoranda, and other project materials, as needed.

- Monitoring:
Monitors the process of scope development, especially change order review, including cost reasonableness and eligibility of proposed scope; works with other City entities and WCS and/or with FEMA and State teams to define damage scope and mitigation scope and review cost estimates.

- Assessing Questions & Conferring:
Determines which legal and/or other questions require legal analysis or review and confers with subject matter specialists, technical experts, and agency attorneys.

- Liaising Internally:
Acts as liaison with executives within the agency and with other City agencies.
assists in monitoring the workflow related to legal and non-legal matters, ensuring compliance with deadlines, and preparing reports and summaries.

- Staying abreast of Developments in Field:
As needed, reviews FEMA guidance related to FEMA-specific issues and works with other City and State agencies to obtain information regarding developments in FEMA funding that might impact DCLA projects and explore grant opportunities related to disaster recovery and preparedness.

- Coordinating across Agencies:
Coordinates with other City entities, such as OMB and EDC, to address specific project issues and processes, such as questions relating to procurement, change orders, etc.

- Financial Review:
Reviews requests for financial disbursement for project work, and reimbursement requests made to FEMA.


Preferred Skills:
Previous experience working directly with the City of New York on Hurricane Sandy-related FEMA projects. Working knowledge of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Program. Ability to work well independently; detail-oriented with strong interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills both oral and written.


NOTE:
Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. For more information about DCLA, visit us at: www.nyc.gov/culture
All appointments are subject to OMB approval

1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.