AUSTIN, Texas—FEMA is looking to hire Texas residents as temporary employees to help with the state’s recovery from the past year’s storms and flooding.

FEMA is hoping to hire as many as 14 people—mostly in Austin and Houston but with a few positions in Denton and Bon Wier—to fill a variety of temporary positions working on disaster recovery.

“FEMA always seeks to employ local residents in its disaster recovery operations,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “Not only does this help the economy recover by putting people to work, but these employees bring a wealth of local knowledge to the organization.”

Temporary local hires may be employed for 120-day terms, which may be extended up to one year maximum. They do not get hiring preference for other federal jobs as a result of their temporary employment. Selected health benefits are offered for these positions.

The wages vary depending on the nature of the work being performed and are set based on the prevailing wages of the state and locality. The positions range from administrative work to media relations.

Most temporary workers can be hired under a streamlined process instead of a competitive process. They must be 18 years old, have graduated high school or obtained a GED and have the appropriate qualifications for their positions. They will also be required to undergo a standard credit and criminal background check.

“We try to give preference to people who have actually suffered damage or losses from the disaster,” Doran said. “Many current FEMA employees began their careers as local hires.”

To find out more about the positions available and to apply, visit the Texas Workforce Commission’s website at workintexas.com.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the FEMA webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4272 or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion6.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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FEMA Seeking to Hire Texans to Work on Flood Recovery

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency  today announced it is expanding disaster assistance to Kittitas County.

The disaster aid helps the county pay for repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement of public facilities, roads and bridges, water facilities and other infrastructure damaged or destroyed by wildfires that occurred between July 9 and Aug. 5.

Kittitas County has been added to the major disaster declaration of Aug. 11, which provided assistance to Okanogan County and the Confederated Tribes of Colville Reservation.

Under FEMA’s Public Assistance program, state, tribal, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in a designated county are eligible to apply for federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities.

A briefing for local officials will be held where procedures for requesting federal assistance will be explained by FEMA and state officials.

The Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division is responsible for administering federal disaster recovery programs on behalf of the state. The Department’s mission is to minimize the impact of emergencies and disasters on people, property, environment, and the economy of Washington State; provide trained and ready forces for state and federal missions; and provide structured alternative education opportunities for at-risk youth.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Federal Assistance Expanded in Washington State to Kittitas County

PURVIS, Miss. – An outreach team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be at Economy Supply, Hattiesburg’s hometown supply company, this week to explain techniques to reduce potential damage to homes, businesses and property from high-wind events. The team also will offer tips on rebuilding stronger and safer after the recent tornadoes, storms and flooding.

The partnership between the agency and the local company underscores FEMA’s commitment to a local approach in responding to and recovering from disasters.

“It reinforces the fact that FEMA is only one part of our nation’s emergency management team, and collectively we must meet the needs of the entire community,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Terry Quarles.  “What better partner than one who has been involved with the Hattiesburg area for 72 years.”

A FEMA team is staffing a table at Economy Supply at 200 E. 2nd St. in Hattiesburg to provide free “how-to” information about wind-resistant building methods, and guidance to help prevent damage to a business or home in the face of another natural disaster. The team will be present from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 and continuing with a Monday through Saturday schedule until further notice. More information on ways to protect your home from future disasters is available at www.fema.gov/safer-stronger-protected-homes-communities.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

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FEMA Team At Economy Supply With Tips On Smart Building