SARA SCHEIRER
Greenwood,SC
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Local Disaster Recovery Manager
Union County Government
09.2022 - Current
- Performs plans, organizes, implements, coordinates, and advances local pre-and post-disaster recovery plans, goals, objectives, and outcomes set by the Board of County Commissioners and the community. Work involves managing and overseeing various County grant funded projects, primarily focused on disaster recovery.
- Serves as the County representative on all long-term disaster recovery efforts. Serves as a subject-matter expert for departments to develop long-term recovery projects.
- Directly supervises and provides direction to and oversight of the Grants Specialist, Grants Coordinator, and Management Consultant.
- Develops a comprehensive countywide long-term recovery plan. Implements and coordinates the recovery plan as required. Works closely with leadership at all levels to ensure a well-coordinated, timely, and well-executed long-term recovery, including the development and coordination of partnerships and financial and grants management processes.
- Provides leadership and direction to prioritize recovery efforts and balance expeditious recovery with thoughtful consideration of post-disaster capabilities.
- Facilitates and supports effective decision-making, management, and coordination across multiple departments, systems, processes, and community organizations for planning and implementing recovery projects and activities.
- Interfaces with Federal, State, local governments, and regional entities for disaster recovery preparedness and communicates local recovery needs and priorities.
- Establishes and maintains contacts and networks for long-term disaster recovery resources and support systems.
- Identifies and builds partnerships with Federal, State, non-profit, and community organizations to better align the County’s long-term disaster recovery planning and projects.
- Establishes and negotiates agreements with vendors and partners to provide long-term disaster recovery goods, equipment, and services as necessary.
- Organizes recovery planning processes, fosters information sharing, and manages public participation and awareness to fully and proactively engage the community and all residents.
- Maintains a complete understanding of all applicable program policies, requirements, and procedures within the established project guidelines.
- Works to possess knowledge of regulatory and statutory compliance requirements for federally funded programs and projects, including but not limited to: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF), Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Public Assistance (FEMA PA), and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (FEMA HMGP).
- Coordinates, supports, or leads County grant development efforts to leverage additional public and private resources for implementation of the County’s long-term disaster recovery plans.
- Researches best practices regarding long-term disaster recovery efforts and incorporates these lessons into County policies and plans.
- Develops, maintains, and updates grant related project plans, strategies, budgets, program policies, and procedures in coordination with departments and project teams.
- Develops, implements, monitors, and reports on recovery performance indicators and project deliverables using appropriate tools.
- Collaborates with State, Federal and other stakeholders and supporters, such as the business and nonprofit communities, to raise financial support for the community's long-term recovery, leverage the resources where possible and resolve potential duplication of assistance.
- Organizes recovery planning processes, which includes individuals with disabilities and others with access issues, seniors and members of underserved communities, to fully engage constituents’ input; lead the development of Union County’s recovery visions, priorities, resources, capability and capacity.
- Communicates adjustments and improvements to leadership and other applicable staff and stakeholders.
- Coordinates with departments and project teams to ensure and maintain satisfactory project health status.
Manager of Grants and Community Development
Richland County Government
04.2021 - 11.2022
- Managed a portfolio of more than 60 million dollars worth of Federal grant awards including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership, Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP), Coronavirus (CDBG-CV), and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (FEMA HMGP)
- Instructed, planned, and assigned work, reviewed work, maintained standards, coordinated activities, acted on employee problems, recommended and approved employee discipline and discharge.
- Reviewed the work of and reports submitted by subordinates for completeness, accuracy and compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and standards; evaluated performance and made recommendations as appropriate; offered advice and assistance as needed.
- Ensured compliance of grants and community development programs activities with pertinent federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and standards. Monitored development related to community development and evaluated their impact and implemented policy and procedural improvements.
- Regularly interacted with local, state, federal agencies, commissions, boards, stakeholders, and community organizations to cultivate and maintain productive partnerships.
- Developed and oversaw the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for all phases of activities within the grants and community development programs.
- Prepared the Five-Year Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans and Budgets, Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports, Quarterly Performance Reports, and a variety of grant compliance and financial reports as required by federal, state, and or local laws, statutes, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and standards.
- Oversaw the fiscal management of and administers the annual grants and community development programs budgets.
- Received, reviewed, and responded to public inquiries, complaints and requests for assistance.
- Collaborated with procurement, legal and other applicable divisions to ensure accuracy of information and documentation for applicable Request for Proposals (RFPs)
- Researched and identified grants programs.
- Represented the department at conferences and meetings, attends conferences and periodic training sessions to keep abreast of current grants and community development trends and legislation.
- Prepared and submitted various reports as required by the County and other government agencies.
Real Estate Advisor/Military Relocation Professional
Method Real Estate Advisors
09.2019 - Current
- Licensed real estate agent working with buyers, sellers, investors and military/contractor clients in Georgia and South Carolina
- Certified Military Relocation Professional by the National Association of REALTORS
- Communicated with clients to determine property needs and budget constraints
- Liaised between buyers and sellers to facilitate negotiations and propel escrow progress
- Developed and presented purchase offers to sellers for consideration
- Helped homeowners and homebuyers sell or purchase residential properties in CSRA areas
- Researched properties values to determine competitive market pricing
- Provided client guidance regarding market conditions, mortgage options and legal requirements
- Drafted contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements and leases
- Collaborated with escrow companies, lenders and home inspectors to fulfill terms and conditions of purchase agreements
- Collaborated with attorneys, loan officers and agencies to complete property sales and purchases and thoroughly explained all financial requirements and data to potential buyers and sellers
- Resolved conflicts and negotiated mutually beneficial agreements between parties
Community Development Coordinator
City Of Augusta Community & Housing Development
10.2020 - 04.2021
- Received and reviewed requests for funding from non-profit community service organizations, small businesses, and others for assigned federally funded grants and programs: verified eligibility requirements; provided technical assistance; guidance and direction to sub-recipients regarding required forms and documentation; participated in reviewing and recommending of projects and programs; and ensured applications complied with all applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Monitored award funds and programs; managed and maintained financial and accounting databases and systems; prepared and monitored execution of contracts and agreements; conducted site visits; monitored and reviewed documentation, projected and funded allocations to determine compliance with contract and local, state and federal rules and regulations ; and prepared and submitted reports as required by granting agencies
- Prepared assigned construction project bid documents and contracts; prepared bid invitations; prepared contracts to include scope of work, material and labor; and ensured bid documents and contracts complied with local, state and federal policies, procedures, rules and regulations
- Monitored compliance with labor rules and regulations for assigned projects; reviewed contractor eligibility, payroll documents, etc.; conducted employee interviews; conducted research; determined compliance or non-compliance; coordinates remedial action with contractors, and prepared and submitted all required federal reports
- Performed public relations duties for assigned programs; coordinates work activities with other consolidated government departments, non-profit organizations, civic groups, businesses, lending institutions, contractors, and the general public; makes presentations regarding program requirements and activities; provides information and answers questions; prepares press releases and copy; schedules interviews with media agencies for department managers, and provided promotional and audiovisual materials as required
- Maintained a comprehensive and current knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and standards; maintained an awareness of funding methods and trends and changes in federal housing legislation; read professional literature; and attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate
HUD Case Manager/Housing Procurement Officer
Meg's House Shelter for Abused Women and Children
01.2013 - 02.2019
- Provided case management in the form of advocating and assisting clients meet housing, financial, educational, job related, health related, and personal goals
- Responsible for obtaining housing units for the permanent housing project according to HUD grant specifications and completing lease agreements
- Prepared and sent monthly invoices to clients as well as collected rent and coordinated with utility companies and property managers
- Screened potential clients for eligibility by conducting interviews to assess disability level as well as chronic homelessness history
- Entered client data in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
- Prepared reports for grant purposes
- Coordinated and conducted training seminars/public speaking engagements for the community, law enforcement, and other social service agencies
- Regularly attended Advisory Council Meetings and Housing Determination Meetings (CES) for the Upstate Continuum of Care
- Attended HUD trainings/meetings
- Attend SCCADVASA Trainings (South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
- Maintained Victim Service Provider Certification
- Maintained a caseload of 18 chronically homeless/disabled clients
- Made monthly home visits and home inspections as well as maintained case notes on each individual client
Team Manager
Sykes Enterprises
02.2011 - 04.2012
- Built and maintained a skilled, successful, and motivated team of 18 technical support representatives
- Drove account financials through team utilization, optimal staffing levels, schedule adherence, and expense control
- Provided accurate, timely, and professionally written statistical and verbal data reports to management for historical, current status, and forecasting purposes
- Remained aware at all times of team's current queue status, performance measures, objectives, and performance trends
- Responsible for communications including telephone, e-mail, letter, fax, personal, group meetings and presentations
Education
Grant Writing Certificate
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC2015
Master of Science - Legal Studies
Purdue University Global
2014
Bachelor of Science - Sociology
Lander University
Greenwood, SC2010
Skills
- Economic and Community Development
- Disaster Recovery
- Strategic Planning
- Staff Development and Training
- Policy Development and Optimization
- Grants Management Software Proficiency
- Understanding of Compliance Procedures
- Strategic Planning
- Budgeting and Allocation
- Real Estate Development
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
Volunteer Positions
- Vice President of the GAMES (Greenwood, Abbeville, McCormick and Saluda Counties) Homeless Housing Chapter (2013-2019)
- Chapter was responsible via monthly meetings for community education and development activities as well as educating local government on issues pertaining to homelessness.
- HUD Programs Monitoring Committee Member for Upstate Continuum of Care (2015-2019)
- Committee was responsible for the annual monitoring of HUD/CoC grantees to ensure proper grant/program requirements were being met and proper adherence to HUD 24 CFR.
- Cabinet Member of Church Street Place Housing Development Project for United Housing Connections (2019)
- CoC Advisory Council Member (2013-2019)
- Coordinated Entry (CES)/Housing Determination Committee Member (2015-2019)
- Upstate Homeless Veteran Master List Committee Member (2016-2019)
- President Elect for Greenwood Business and Professional Women (2016-2017)
- Participated in 7 HUD Homeless Point In Time (PIT) Counts throughout Upstate South Carolina
Awards and Recognition
- 2014 Young Careerist by Business and Professional Women
- 2019 "Hit The Ground Running Award" for having $472,000 worth of pending real estate transactions within the first 30 days of starting new position
Certification
- CDBG Basics (NCDA)
- IDIS Basics (NCDA)
- Disaster Recovery Leader Practitioner (SBP)
- Disaster Recovery Finance for Effect (SBP)
- South Carolina Real Estate License- #111238
- Georgia Real Estate License- #391083
- Military Relocation Professional
- IS 100, 200, 700 (FEMA)
- G-191 (FEMA)
- ICS 300, 400 (FEMA)
- Disaster Assessment Training, Disaster Assistance Workshop (SCEMD)
- PER-387 Improving Individual and Households' Financial Literacy and Management to Support Post-Disaster Economic Recovery
- Recovery from Disaster: Local Community Role (SCEMD)
Timeline
Local Disaster Recovery Manager
Union County Government
09.2022 - Current
Manager of Grants and Community Development
Richland County Government
04.2021 - 11.2022
Community Development Coordinator
City Of Augusta Community & Housing Development
10.2020 - 04.2021
Real Estate Advisor/Military Relocation Professional
Method Real Estate Advisors
09.2019 - Current
HUD Case Manager/Housing Procurement Officer
Meg's House Shelter for Abused Women and Children
01.2013 - 02.2019
Team Manager
Sykes Enterprises
02.2011 - 04.2012
Grant Writing Certificate
University of South Carolina
Master of Science - Legal Studies
Purdue University Global
Bachelor of Science - Sociology
Lander University
Similar Profiles
Adrienne SingletonAdrienne Singleton
Library Assistant at Union County GovernmentLibrary Assistant at Union County Government
Mohamed MohamedMohamed Mohamed
Director of Student Research and Science Laborator at UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJDirector of Student Research and Science Laborator at UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ
Katrina ParkerKatrina Parker
Branch Service Specialist/Call Center Backup at Michigan Schools and Government Credit UnionBranch Service Specialist/Call Center Backup at Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union
Tayshon DendyTayshon Dendy
Cashier/Food Runner at Arby'sCashier/Food Runner at Arby's
Lebbie LigonLebbie Ligon
Pastor at Pine Grove AME ChurchPastor at Pine Grove AME Church