Is FEMA Really Hiring ‘Field Inspectors’ for Hurricane Harvey and Paying Them Thousands Per Week?

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Our thoughts and prayers are with all of our friends, family and clients affected by the terrible devastation from Hurricane Harvey.

With any natural disaster there is always a lot of rumor and misinformation out there. As a agency that writes flood insurance, we’ve been asked about the truth to the rumor that FEMA is hiring home inspectors to work the damage related to Hurricane Harvey.

We’re happy to report the answer appears to be “Yes”. Here’s what we’ve found out from our research.

FEMA’s website indicates that there are two contractors that handle hiring home inspectors for FEMA. They are Vanguard EM and PB Disaster Services.

Now for the bad news, it does not appear that the position pays “between $2,000 and $5,000 per week” as has been reported. Per Vanguard EM’s website:

“Novice Inspectors (0- 500 inspections) are paid $35 per inspection, intermediate inspectors (501-2500 verified inspections) are paid $39 per inspection, Advanced (2501+ verified inspections) are paid $45 per inspection. All inspectors are reimbursed for allowable field expenses (rental cars, airfare, lodging, mileage if not using rental car) and will receive the GSA per diem rate daily while deployed.”

Vanguard EM describes the job duties as such:

Role of a Disaster Housing Inspector:

• You will verify ownership and occupancy of damaged homes
• You will record damages of the interior and exterior of damaged dwellings
• You will specifically list all disaster related losses; and photograph damaged property
• You will supply at your own expense needed items such as
  • Tools (standard tape measure, rolling tape measure, clip board, notecards)
  • Safety clothing and/or equipment (safety Glasses, safety boots)
• You should expect to work 7 days a week during a deployment, often longer than 10 hours a day
• Novice inspector, once trained, can expect to be able to complete a minimum of 6 inspections per day
• You will schedule and organize appointments
• You will communicate Inspections using your government issued tablet
• You will submit your electronic expense reports throughout weekly
• Your inspections will undergo Quality Control reviews, and if you are found to have multiple Contractor or FEMA Corrections, you will be expected to go through corrective action
• Novice Inspectors (0- 500 inspections) are paid $35 per inspection, intermediate inspectors (501-2500 verified inspections) are paid $39 per inspection, Advanced (2501+ verified inspections) are paid $45 per inspection. All inspectors are reimbursed for allowable field expenses (rental cars, airfare, lodging, mileage if not using rental car) and will receive the GSA per diem rate daily while deployed.

All Interested Persons:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must register on our Inspector Portal
• Complete and pass the required “e-QIP” background process
• Complete the required on-line training modules in our Vanguard EM University
• Attend an in-person ACE 4 training (mock inspection)
• Update your availability status on the Inspector Portal
• Stay connected (Facebook, LinkedIn, assigned mentor, keep all information up to date)

It is not clear from the websites how long the background screening and interview process takes before deployment, but this appears to be a good opportunity for people who are needing work, especially if they have suffered job loss due to Harvey.

Please note that we are not affiliated with FEMA nor are we a hiring agency for these positions, we are only offering this information as a service to those interested in these positions. Our phone lines are jammed at this time with customers needing help, if you would like to speak with us the best way to reach us is by Facebook Messenger at the button below

 

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