Tidal Basin, a Michael Baker company, is seeking a CDBG-DR Policy Subject Matter Expert who serves as a senior technical authority for CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT program policy, regulatory interpretation, program design, implementation, and compliance. The position works in a consulting and client-service environment supporting federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local government programs. Assignments may include disaster recovery, resilience, housing, infrastructure, grants management, and other public-sector initiatives.
The successful candidate will combine technical knowledge with disciplined documentation, responsive client service, collaboration, and sound judgment. Responsibilities and level of independence may vary based on the specific client, contract, program phase, location, and assigned scope of work.
What You'll Do:
- Lead development and maintenance of Action Plans, substantial amendments, program policies, procedures, manuals, forms, tools, and implementation guidance.
- Interpret applicable Federal Register notices, HUD guidance, waivers, alternative requirements, grant agreements, 2 CFR Part 200, 24 CFR 570, and federal cross-cutting requirements.
- Translate regulatory requirements into practical and auditable operating controls for housing, infrastructure, mitigation, economic revitalization, planning, and public service programs.
- Advise client executives and program leadership on policy options, eligibility, risk, consistency, and defensibility of program decisions.
- Review complex eligibility, national objective, duplication of benefits, income, award, and compliance determinations.
- Develop issue papers, decision memoranda, policy interpretations, waiver requests, and responses to HUD inquiries.
- Support program startup, organizational design, implementation planning, and change management for new grants and allocations.
- Lead policy quality reviews and ensure consistency across procedures, systems, training, correspondence, and public-facing guidance.
- Support HUD monitoring, audits, technical assistance engagements, findings responses, corrective action plans, and closeout.
- Design and deliver training for client staff, contractors, subrecipients, and implementation teams.
- Mentor policy specialists and coordinate work across legal, environmental, financial, construction, housing, technology, and compliance functions.
- Support proposals, client presentations, capture strategy, and thought leadership related to disaster recovery and community development.
- Perform other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned to meet project, client, and organizational needs.
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, planning, public policy, law, business, housing, or a related field.
- At least ten years of grants, housing, community development, or public-sector program experience, including seven years in CDBG-DR, CDBG-MIT, or comparable HUD disaster recovery work.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret complex federal requirements and produce clear, defensible technical writing.
- Ability to communicate professionally, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and produce accurate, well-organized work.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and the ability to learn client and company systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree, JD, AICP, PMP, or comparable professional credential.
- Experience with multiple CDBG-DR allocations, state grantees, HUD monitoring, Action Plans, and programs exceeding $100 million.
- Experience leading policy functions and advising executive-level stakeholders.
- Consulting experience supporting government clients or work performed in a regulated, deadline-driven environment.
- Experience working with geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary, or surge teams.
Why Choose Us:
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- 401k Retirement Plan
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
- Professional and personal development
- Generous paid time off
- Commuter and wellness benefits
At Tidal Basin, we exist to help communities, agencies, and critical infrastructure partners prepare for, respond to, recover from, and strengthen resilience to disasters and disruptions. Today, we deliver that promise as one united team, combining Tidal Basin Group, MLU Services, and Michael Baker International to bring the full resilience lifecycle under one roof.
That means clients can move from strategy to execution faster: aligning planning, funding, and compliance with engineering and design, program delivery, contingency operations and logistics, and technology enabled tools that improve visibility and decision-making. When urgency is high, we mobilize quickly. When complexity is high, we integrate disciplines and stay accountable through closeout so recovery holds up to scrutiny and communities rebuild stronger.
Job Description Disclaimer:
This position description incorporates the job's core responsibilities. It recognizes that other related duties not specifically mentioned might also be performed and that not all responsibilities may be carried out depending on operational needs.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Upon hire, secondary employment and other employment restrictions must be disclosed and approved.
Tidal Basin Holdco, LLC, and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, which include Tidal Basin Government Consulting, LLC are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
About the TeamSkills Required
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, planning, public policy, law, business, housing, or a related field
- At least 10 years of grants, housing, community development, or public-sector program experience
- At least 7 years of CDBG-DR, CDBG-MIT, or comparable HUD disaster recovery experience
- Ability to interpret complex federal requirements and produce clear, defensible technical writing
- Professional communication skills and ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and produce accurate, organized work
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and ability to learn client and company systems
- Master's degree, JD, AICP, PMP, or comparable professional credential
- Experience with multiple CDBG-DR allocations, state grantees, HUD monitoring, Action Plans, and programs exceeding $100 million
- Experience leading policy functions and advising executive-level stakeholders
- Consulting experience supporting government clients or work in a regulated, deadline-driven environment
- Experience working with geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary, or surge teams
Michael Baker International Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Michael Baker International and has not been reviewed or approved by Michael Baker International.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered fair-to-good for the A/E sector, with ranges aligning to role, seniority, and location. Market-competitive bands are visible in postings and salary snapshots across geographies and disciplines.
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Parental & Family Support — Enhanced maternity and paternity leave are highlighted as part of the core package. Flexible work arrangements are also emphasized as supportive of family needs.
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Flexible Benefits — Multiple medical plan options, HSA/FSA, EAP, and wellness programs indicate meaningful choice and wellbeing support. The overall suite covers standard health, financial, and lifestyle components typical for the industry.
Michael Baker International Insights
What We Do
Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management. The company provides its comprehensive range of services and solutions to support U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and a wide range of commercial clients. Michael Baker’s more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement to help solve challenges for clients and communities throughout the country.
