Ascension LLC is seeking a Senior Program Lead / Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide strategic leadership and technical oversight in support of FEMA’s National Training and Education Division (NTED) Training Partners Program (TPP). This role is central to ensuring the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of national preparedness training programs through curriculum review, evaluation oversight, and alignment with National Incident Management System (NIMS) standards.

The ideal candidate is a highly experienced, detail-oriented leader who can operate effectively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment supporting homeland security initiatives. This individual must be capable of leading multidisciplinary review efforts, synthesizing complex data, guiding stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with federal training standards.

This role supports program areas including training review boards, curriculum validation, data analysis, program evaluation, and technical advisory services, as outlined in the Task Order supporting NTED’s all-hazards training mission .

The candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and decision-making capability
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight
• Skill in anticipating risks and developing solutions
• Experience managing multiple priorities and stakeholders
• Technical expertise in training, evaluation, or emergency management programs

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate training course reviews and evaluation processes across NTED-supported programs
• Validate curriculum against federal standards, including NIMS alignment
• Oversee and support grant-funded training evaluations and audit activities
• Provide technical direction and subject matter expertise to program stakeholders and review boards
• Coordinate and support Training Review Boards (TRBs) and associated documentation
• Analyze program data to assess training effectiveness and compliance
• Develop and present technical reports, findings, and recommendations
• Advise government leadership on program improvements, risks, and strategic direction
• Ensure alignment with all-hazards preparedness frameworks and national training priorities
• Collaborate with instructional designers, analysts, and program staff to ensure high-quality deliverables

Day-to-Day Activities

• Lead curriculum and course review sessions with stakeholders
• Evaluate training materials for compliance with federal standards
• Conduct data analysis to assess training outcomes and performance
• Prepare and present findings to NTED leadership and review boards
• Coordinate review schedules, agendas, and stakeholder participation
• Provide technical guidance to instructional design and evaluation teams
• Review and approve evaluation methodologies and tools
• Monitor program performance metrics and identify improvement areas
• Support audit activities related to training delivery and effectiveness
• Draft reports, briefings, and technical documentation

Minimum / Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Education, Data Analytics, or related field
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience supporting federal programs, training evaluation, or emergency management
• Demonstrated experience with curriculum review, instructional systems, or training program evaluation
• Strong knowledge of NIMS and national preparedness frameworks
• Experience supporting federal agencies (DHS/FEMA preferred)
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and stakeholder engagements
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis tools