FEMA Grants Management User Research Lead

Position: FEMA Grants Management User Research Lead
Location: Remote Eligible
Type: Full-Time
Clearance Required: Must be a US citizen and be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance

Overview

The FEMA Grants Management User Research Lead is a critical role focused on understanding the needs, behaviors, and pain points of users interacting with FEMA's grants management systems. This individual will design and execute user research initiatives, ensuring that FEMA's tools and processes are user-centered, efficient, and accessible. The role will drive innovation and improve the experience for applicants, recipients, and internal stakeholders who rely on grants systems during disaster response and recovery efforts.

The user research lead shall ensure user research and design activities on the call order comply with the Federally governed delivery approach and incorporate industry best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive user research plan to inform the design and enhancement of FEMA's grants management systems.
• Conduct user interviews, surveys, usability testing, and field studies to gather qualitative and quantitative insights.
• Analyze and synthesize research findings into actionable recommendations.

• Collaborate with FEMA leadership, grants administrators, and applicants to understand user needs and priorities.
• Present research findings and insights to stakeholders at all levels, advocating for user-centered solutions.

• Work closely with product managers, designers, and developers to ensure user research findings are incorporated into system design and functionality.
• Provide guidance on user personas, journey mapping, and workflow improvements.

• Identify and address gaps in the current grants management experience through iterative research and testing.
• Stay informed on industry best practices, tools, and methods for user research and experience design.

• Define metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of system improvements and user satisfaction.
• Track the impact of user research on system performance and user outcomes over time.

• Ensure FEMA's grants management systems meet accessibility standards and address the needs of diverse user groups.
• Advocate for inclusive design practices that align with FEMA's mission and values.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Design, Sociology, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in user research, human-centered design, or UX design.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct user research with diverse populations, including non-technical users.
• Proficiency in user research tools (e.g., UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, Dovetail) and design tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD).
• Strong analytical and storytelling skills to translate complex research findings into actionable insights.
• Familiarity with agile product development processes and tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in government or public sector projects, particularly in grants management or disaster recovery.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2.1, and experience conducting accessibility audits.
• Familiarity with FEMA's grants programs (e.g., Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program).
• Experience using data visualization tools to present research findings.
  
  
  

  ABOUT THE COMPANY

  Headquartered in Leesburg, Virginia, Zenius Corporation is a HUBZone-certified small business. Zenius specializes in providing Grants Management, IT Modernization, Acquisition Management, and Financial Management services to Federal agencies. Zenius is selected by Inc 5000 as one of the fastest-growing companies in the US 2024 and in the DC Metro Area award for two years in a row 2021 and 2020. Zenius is also listed by Financial Times as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas in 2021. Zenius is an awardee of 2019 Best of Leesburg winner (Business Management Consultant category).

  BENEFITS

  Zenius Corporation is a very employee-oriented company. Join us now and help us grow!

  We offer a competitive benefits package that includes paid holidays and paid time off, medical insurance including health, vision, dental insurance, 401K matching, Flexible Spending Account and flexible schedules, as per business needs. We also work with our employees on training and professional certification plans that benefit the employee.

  EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

  Zenius Corporation provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Zenius complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

  Zenius Corporation expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.