DIRECTOR

Director, Disaster Recovery
The Division of Administration/Office of Community Development/Disaster Recovery Unit (DRU) has a vacancy. The Louisiana Office of Community Development (OCD) administers Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery and Mitigation (CDBG‑DR and CDBG‑MIT) grants and other federal and state funding allocated to the State of Louisiana. These programs support long‑term recovery, resilience, and mitigation for communities affected by Presidentially Declared Disasters. OCD’s grant portfolio exceeds $20 billion and encompasses multiple federal awards, each containing numerous programs, funding activities, and implementation timelines.

The Director provides development, oversight, and management of funds under OCD. He or she ensures adherence to state and federal statutory regulation, guidelines and policies for disaster recovery programs, provides compliance assistance and tracking of disaster recovery programs, and reports to the Assistant Executive Director on the status and impact on compliance, monitoring and audit of programs and recovery funding under the OCD.

Division Responsibilities

Overseeing the state’s capital construction program

Working to provide state and federal grants for community development

Development of the state budget

Providing technology services

Giving agencies guidance in the state purchasing and contracting process as they seek goods and services

Administering a program that provides federal funds to help Louisiana residents recover from a series of devastating hurricanes

Qualifications
A baccalaureate degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Planning, Policy, Communications or a related field, plus four years of professional level experience in housing, infrastructure, economic development, disaster recovery, and/or HUD related program management.

Experience Substitutions
Six years of full‑time professional experience in disaster recovery may substitute for the degree.

A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience or two (2) years for a specialized degree in related fields.

Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of Community Development Block Grant, Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery, and Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation programs

Knowledge of Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program

Professional experience with communications/public relations

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly in SharePoint and/or Excel

Experience serving elected officials and the public

Project Management or Planning Certification

Essential Functions
Provides review and input on the State’s Action Plan and Amendments for the Disaster Recovery Programs. Provides input for proposals and applications for disaster recovery programs.

Directs and supervises assigned aspects of the disaster recovery programs which could include those relating to public facilities, infrastructure, housing recovery, economic development, and other recovery programs.

Interprets federal and state policies as they relate to the Disaster Recovery CDBG Program. Oversees the implementation of those policies in the disaster recovery programs. Coordinates and provides input on interaction with federal officials particularly from HUD, to obtain clarification and/or interpretations on a diverse number of issues which arise as new federal requirements and new concepts become effective.

Remains abreast of the overall economic development, housing, infrastructure and other recovery programs as they relate to the situation in the State. Tracks the status of the financial assistance through the Disaster Recovery Unit to ensure adherence to agency policies.

At the direction of the Assistant Executive Director, represents OCD at meetings with the Commissioner, local elected officials, legislators, organizations, private sector institutions, federal agencies and other state department officials to outline the federal and state requirements applicable under the disaster recovery programs.

Provides guidance to the Assistant Executive Director in structuring disaster recovery programs and projects which are financed through disaster recovery funds, private investors, local financial institutions and local government financial resources.

Monitors for compliance and applicability the contracts between the State and units of local government (municipalities and Police Juries) as well as cooperative endeavor agreements with other state entities and organizations utilizing disaster recovery funds.

Manages staff working on disaster recovery initiatives.

Coordinates and conducts training programs with OCD staff, local community development officials and professionals on disaster recovery programs.

Provides technical guidance to OCD staff, grantees, subrecipients and other community development planners in the general administration of the disaster recovery programs. Directs and provides technical assistance (guidance) in monitoring and evaluation of ongoing recovery projects.

Attends local, regional and national workshops to keep abreast of new concepts, requirements, regulations and the law as it relates to the disaster recovery programs.

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