Austen Bueche
Grants Administration / Public Assistance
Baton Rouge,LA
Summary
With extensive experience in grant administration, FEMA regulations, and public assistance, I have a proven track record in managing teams and ensuring the efficient delivery of public assistance programs. In my current role as the Public Assistance Closeout Team Lead at the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, I oversee a team of Closeout Program Specialists and provide accurate status reports to management. My prior experience as a Public Assistance Grants Management Program Specialist allowed me to guide grant applicants and ensure compliance with federal and state grant requirements. Additionally, I have a strong background in financial and accounting practices, having excelled in my role at EFCU Financial, where I managed financial records, processed invoices, and maintained strong relationships with stakeholders. I've been honored with the Outstanding Performance Recognition Award from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for my contributions. I look forward to bringing my expertise to your organization.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Public Assistance Closeout Team Lead
GOHSEP
Baton Rouge, LA
10.2022 - Current
- Coached team members in techniques necessary to complete job tasks.
- Trained new team members by relaying information on standard operating procedures.
- Mentored and guided employees to foster proper completion of assigned duties.
- Promoted high standards through personal example to help each member understand expected behaviors and standards.
- Oversee daily administration of public assistance closeout programs
- Highly knowledgeable in the FEMA Public Assistance grant program
- Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to the program
- Manage and provide guidance to a team of Closeout Program Specialists
- Proven track record in seeking resolutions to short- and long-term problems affecting efficient delivery of public assistance grant programs
- Strong communicator who provides accurate and timely status reports to management
- Direct resources to achieve set goals and accomplish the Section's mission to achieve set goals and accomplish the Section's mission.
Program Specialist II
GOHSEP
Baton Rouge, LA
06.2020 - 10.2022
- Experienced grant administrator with a strong understanding of the FEMA public assistance grants program
- Skilled in interpreting applicable laws, rules, and regulations related to public assistance programs
- Provides guidance and oversight to grant applicants in preparing documentation, invoices, and information to request reimbursement for approved, federally funded public assistance grants from FEMA
- Monitors progress of each assigned applicant to ensure that all Federal and State grant requirements are met, and files are closed in a timely manner
- Experienced in coordinating with applicants to gather and compile information and documentation to request eligible reimbursements
- Highly proficient in seeking resolutions to short- and long-term problems affecting efficient delivery of public assistance grant programs
Customer Care Representative
Community Coffee
Baton Rouge, LA
03.2017 - 06.2020
- Provided exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers through effective communication and in-depth knowledge of the company's products and services
- Answered calls and emails, dispatched service calls, resolved product or service problems, generated sales, and maintained sales and delivery information
- Met personal/team call handling metrics and converted new or existing customers to recurring shipments, contributing to the growth of the company
- Monitored the E-commerce site for fraudulent activity and reported it to the Manager
Accounting Representative (AR/AP) Specialist
EFCU Financial
Baton Rouge, LA
06.2014 - 03.2017
- Processed incoming and outgoing wires for both domestic and international transactions.
- Processed checks for deposit made through our mobile capture.
- Maintained accurate financial records for a small credit union's expenses and income
- Verified and processed invoices, prepared payments to vendors, and reconciled bank statements
- Excelled in role due to experience with financial software and accounting practices
- Ensured timely and accurate processing of transactions
- Maintained strong relationships with all stakeholders, including vendors, members, and other departments within the credit union
Education
Bachelor’s - General Studies, Human Resource Management
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH 08.2016 - 01.2020
Skills
Grant Administrationundefined
Awards
Outstanding Performance Recognition Award - Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness - May 2022
Timeline
Public Assistance Closeout Team Lead
GOHSEP
10.2022 - Current
Program Specialist II
GOHSEP
06.2020 - 10.2022
Customer Care Representative
Community Coffee
03.2017 - 06.2020
Bachelor’s - General Studies, Human Resource Management
Southern New Hampshire University
08.2016 - 01.2020
Accounting Representative (AR/AP) Specialist
EFCU Financial
06.2014 - 03.2017
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