Disaster Recovery Program Manager Jobs in Santa Ana, CA

Join the ICF team and make a difference! Our growing Disaster Management Division makes BIG things happen every day. ICF is seeking a Deputy Project Manager - Operations to assist Los Angeles County with managing federal disaster recovery grant programs and carrying out strategic, high-impact activities to rebuild housing, strengthen communities, and mitigate future disaster risks. In this role, you will manage the day-to-day operations of field staff across the county, including damage inspectors, construction managers, builders, and structural engineers. You will focus on operational coordination, staff management, and construction oversight.
The right candidate will have experience managing teams in large-scale construction or disaster recovery programs. You will report to the Project Manager and collaborate with senior staff, subject matter experts, and local partners to refine construction processes, improve operational procedures, and deliver quality results. You must understand HUD CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT disaster recovery program policies and procedures, Los Angeles County and California building codes, and disaster-resilient construction practices.
This position requires strong organizational skills and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment. Only candidates who reside in California and can reasonably access or support work within Los Angeles County will be considered.

Travel throughout LA County may be necessary for site visits, training sessions, and on-site support for field teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the day-to-day operations and logistics of field personnel across LA County, including damage inspectors, construction managers, administrative staff, structural engineers, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate and oversee field construction activities, including inspections and contractor work, to ensure quality assurance and timely completion of projects.
• Assist in the development and refinement of construction processes, standard operating procedures, and operational improvements to increase efficiency and consistency.
• Ensure compliance with HUD CDBG-DR/CDBG-MIT program requirements, Los Angeles County and California Building Code standards (including floodplain and wind zone regulations), and programmatic quality and performance goals.
• Provide leadership and support to field teams, including facilitating training, mentoring staff, and addressing performance issues.
• Coordinate with local officials, contractors, subcontractors, and program managers to align activities and resolve issues.
• Prepare reports, documentation, and updates to support project management, grant compliance, and stakeholder communication.
• Maintain and track project schedules, milestones, and deliverables, proactively identifying risks to timeline and ensuring timely resolution.
• Provide oversight of plans, scopes of work, and contractor submissions to ensure consistency, completeness, and alignment with project requirements and budgets.
• Travel across LA County to conduct site visits, support field operations, and participate in training and community outreach as needed.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in construction management or field operations (experience in disaster recovery or federally funded programs is a plus).
• Experience managing multidisciplinary field teams, including inspectors, engineers, subcontractors, and construction personnel.
• Familiarity with HUD CDBG-DR/CDBG-MIT program requirements.
• Knowledge of Los Angeles County and California State Building, Fire, and applicable green and Residential Codes and Standards.
• Knowledge of ADA and accessibility standards and requirements.
• Proficiency in construction management and estimating tools (e.g., Xactimate, RSMeans) and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel and Word).
• Strong leadership, writing, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate across agencies and project partners.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel statewide for site visits and staff support.

Other Job Details:

• Requires on-site presence in LA County, CA.
• Full-time position

"This job is a Section 3 eligible job opportunity. We encourage applications from individuals that are low income and/or living in Public Housing."

Working at ICF

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: