FORTIFIED Project Manager - Grant Programs

About IBHS

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is an independent, non-profit, scientific research organization supported solely by the property and casualty insurers and reinsurers who conduct business or reinsure risks in the U.S.

The mission of IBHS is to break the cycle of human suffering that strikes families and communities in the wake of severe weather. As the impacts of climate change are yielding more extreme weather events, the need to improve our current and future infrastructure is evident. Through our continued research, our team of scientists and risk communicators deliver strategies that are geared towards improving modern building codes which lead to safer and stronger homes and businesses. IBHS’s real-world solutions enable the insurance industry and affected property owners to prevent avoidable losses.

Job Purpose

The FORTIFIED Project Manager – Grant Programs will support external FORTIFIED grant program administrators, internal technical and internal audit teams to ensure organizational effectiveness regarding supporting program partners, especially those in North Carolina.

This position will be responsible for performing all types of eligibility determinations, evaluation audits, and redesignation audits with a primary focus and priority on grant programs. This position is responsible for direct communication with partner organizations and will be a resource for all IBHS/FORTIFIED staff as it relates to grant program support.

FORTIFIED Project Manager – Grant Programs will answer inquiries from FORTIFIED evaluators, and customers, and perform data entry. Participate in self-development activities to improve technical knowledge and to develop other required business-related skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties:

• Assist management in the day-to-day workflow of the work group to ensure maximum quality and production levels.

• Verify accuracy and ensure compliance with established internal control procedures by completing quality assurance checklists for submitted evaluation forms, re-designation forms, eligibility reviews and documentation.

• Adhere to internal control systems in FOCUS platform(s); recommends new policies and procedures as appropriate.

• Communicate audit findings to internal and external partners and issues designations within delegated authority.

• Maintain and grow professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and training.

• Serve as subject matter expert on compliance with FORTIFIED Home Standards.

• Serve as subject matter expert on various FORTIFIED related grant program requirements.

• Act as point of contact (POC) for 3rd party grant program administrative teams.

• Respond to and close Requests for Information (RFIs) and support ticket requests from grant program administrators and participants.

• Responds to other RFIs and support tickets as assigned.

• Works with the Senior Quality Assurance Auditor and Director of FORTIFIED Engineering to update and maintain quality assurance checklists.

Competencies

Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.

Customer Orientation – The ability and willingness to relate to internal and external customers in an open and friendly manner to achieve desired outcomes. In addition, provide timely, and clear constructive feedback, including potentially negative outcomes to external stakeholders (e.g. minimize submission of insufficient documentation or relay denial of designation).

Focus on Quality – Consistently adheres to an enforces established high quality standards of program and strives for continuous improvement.

Learning Ability – The ability to absorb new information from a variety of sources in a short time frame. Can use new information to improve processes and decision making.

Dependability – Displays a personal commitment to the workplace by reporting to work as scheduled, being consistently punctual, and managing time off appropriately. Works cooperatively and effectively as a team member, fulfills commitments, treats others with respect, and reflects a positive attitude.

Critical Thinking & Decisiveness – Ability to define problems or obstacles, consider alternatives and consequences and offer workable solutions. Seeks appropriate advice when necessary.

Decision making/Problem solving/Critical thinking - Uses good judgment. Demonstrates ability to recognize, identify, clearly isolate, and define problems. Weighs relevance and accuracy of information. Considers alternatives and consequences before making decisions and offers workable solutions. Seeks advice when appropriate. Makes sound recommendations.

Integrity – Adherence to standards, values and rules of conduct associated with IBHS culture. Exhibits high levels of trustworthiness with confidential information or documents.

Problem Analysis - The ability to detect problems, recognize important information, and link various data; to trace potential causes and look for relevant details.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Education/Experience -  minimum 1-3 years practical experience in building construction, roofing, permitting, code enforcement, home insurance underwriting or a related field. Experience should demonstrate familiarity with building construction terminology and concepts.

Computer Skills – Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office products, ability to learn proprietary software; advanced proficiency in other office environment utilities (fax, scanner, copier, etc.)

Language Skills – Intermediate to advanced proficiency with the English language (speaking, reading, writing) is required. Must be capable of holding a conversation both in person and over the telephone.  Must have good written communication skills to be able to relay information by email and write documentation.

Mathematical Skills –Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Skills – Ability to exercise good judgment under limited supervision. Can apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed, but uncomplicated written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving few concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to deal with “best-of” decision making when choices aren’t always black and white. Ability to multi-task and be persuasive.

Conflict Management and Negotiation Skills – Ability to navigate, negotiate and resolve tough issues. Dealing with intense emotions or deeply held beliefs; ability to deescalate controversial topics or conversations; desire and approach to achieve a win/win resolution if possible.

Integrity and Confidentiality – Keen awareness of high level of sensitive information, unwavering commitment to confidentiality; ability to be viewed as resource to management team and employees alike.

Networking Skills – Superior ability to develop and maintain relationships, alliances, and coalitions within and outside the organization and to use them in order to obtain information, support and cooperation.

Working conditions

Work is performed indoors, climate adjusted with mild noise and light fluctuations. Typical office environment where desks, rolling chairs, supply boxes, etc. may present an occasional hazard. Travel is limited.

Physical requirements

• Visual Acuity – close visual acuity to perform an activity such as computer typing, extensive reading, preparing, and analyzing reports, documenting minutes of a meeting.

• Hearing - Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.

• Talking - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

• Walking - Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

• Standing - Particularly for sustained periods of time.

• Sitting - Particularly for extended periods of time.
  
  ​​​​​​Commitment to Diversity
  IBHS is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives.
  
  Applicants should be authorized to work in the US. All positions are located on site, five days/week at the named location.
  ​​​​​Drug‐free Workplace, Equal Opportunity Employer & E‐Verify Employer
  
  Job Types: Full-time
  
  Ability to commute/relocate:

• Tampa, FL Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
• Work Location: One location