Hazard Mitigation Planner | Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois
Posted on Feb 20, 2025
The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is seeking to hire an experienced Hazard Mitigation Planner (Official Title: Scientific Specialist, Hazard Mitigation Planning ) to lead CHAMP's Resilience and Mitigation (ResMit) team in developing and implementing comprehensive hazard mitigation strategies, managing FEMA grants, and advancing innovative resilience solutions. Direct technical and programmatic activities related to FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) and Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) programs. Provide strategic leadership in expanding CHAMP's mitigation and resilience initiatives.
The ISWS CHAMP group has many funded projects that assess local flood hazards, identify high-risk areas, and engage community partners to inform, educate, and empower others to take action in preventing losses from natural hazards. CHAMP is a Cooperating Technical Partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency creating maps and products as reflected on https://illinoisfloodmaps.org/.
ISWS is part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Our research and service programs provide citizens, industries, and government agencies at all levels with timely, science-based information and analyses necessary to manage our water resources wisely for economic development and a sustainable environment. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.
Job Summary
Lead CHAMP's Resilience and Mitigation (ResMit) team in developing and implementing comprehensive hazard mitigation strategies, managing FEMA grants, and advancing innovative resilience solutions. Direct technical and programmatic activities related to FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) and Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) programs. Provide strategic leadership in expanding CHAMP's mitigation and resilience initiatives.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Research – Project Management & Outreach - 40% Lead the ResMit team, providing technical direction and mentoring to staff Develop and implement strategic vision for CHAMP's mitigation and resilience activities Lead and/or assist with mitigation related projects and outreach for FEMA HMA and Risk MAP grants and other projects as assigned, including oversight of budgeting, planning, scheduling, presenting, and communicating project status to stakeholders, staff, and leadership. Direct community engagement meetings, develop and deliver presentations, monitor feedback. Engage fellow Professional Planners and stakeholders at the local, state, and federal level to develop initiatives to inform government officials and the general public about natural hazards and alternatives for mitigating risk. Develop and maintain relationships with federal and state partners Secure future funding opportunities and grow CHAMP’s climate adaptation and resilience activities through public and private relationships, business development, and preparing proposals. Coordinate with CHAMP’s Section Head for strategic planning and growth opportunities within the program and develop and maintain the ResMit team’s business plan. Conduct capacity building activities including developing decision support tools, strategy development and community engagement Provide internal review of input/output data for Hazard Mitigation Plans and other mitigation efforts and recommend revisions to CHAMP workflow and/or improvements. Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI).
- Research – Publications & Data Dissemination - 30% Technical report writing and oversight of technical report production including background research and data review. Communicate and disseminate technical reports and research regarding socio-economic, land use, demographic, environmental, climate, floodplain management and mitigation data for the purpose of educating the general public, local officials, and other key stakeholders. Ensure processes, methods, and communications comply with FEMA Policy Standards and best practices for mitigation adaptations. Monitor updates to FEMA Standards, Technical References, and Guidance Documents and provide review comments on behalf of CHAMP, train staff on new protocols and documentation. Coordinate with Illinois Department of Natural Resources – Office of Water Resources (IDNR-OWR) and CHAMP management to provide editorial and content review of the annual Joint Business Plan.
- Research – Data Analysis – 20% Collect, gather, and analyze floodplain management, scientific, environmental, economic and hazard data. Lead projects including coordination with engineers, GIS specialist, other CHAMP staff, editors, and graphic artists to analyze data to produce project technical reports and associated products.
- Administration – 5% Supervise assigned staff; this includes task assignment, scheduling, ongoing performance monitoring and evaluation, career/position mentoring, and leave/travel coordination.
- Professional Development – 5% Registration as a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) is required to maintain this position. Attend training and professional conferences for updates on information, technology, and process. Travel, including overnight(s), to deliver presentations at professional conferences and meetings. Continue education to develop/enhance skills related to project task, process, and management. Continue education to develop/enhance leadership skills to further career progression. Keep abreast of developments in the fields of mitigation and urban planning.
Additional Physical Demands
The work of this position takes place primarily in an office setting. The work is sedentary and involves remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions. Travel is required to attend meetings, workshops, conferences, and conduct site visits.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Sustainability, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, Emergency Management, or related field. Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. A minimum of ten years of progressive work in public engagement. A minimum of five years of experience with FEMA guidelines and projects. Experience with communications related to mitigation, community resilience, climate adaptation, and floodplain management. Project management experience. Technical writing experience. Supervisory experience. Valid Driver’s License. Certified Floodplain Manger (CFM) as soon as practical.
Preferred Qualifications
MA/MS degree in Urban Planning, Sustainability, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, Emergency Management, or related field. Ten years or more of professional planning experience. Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Training or teaching experience. Proficiency with GIS ArcMap. Proficiency with FEMA Hazus software. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Required: Proficiency with the FEMA FIRM, Hazard Mitigation Plan Approval Requirements, mitigation and adaptation strategy identification; risk assessment; climate hazards; federal/state funding mechanisms; climate adaptations, nature-based solutions, risk communication, resilience, emergency management policies and programs best practices.
- Proficiency with commonly employed software (e.g. MS Word, Excel). Demonstrated ability to perform with a professional demeanor in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing
- priorities, under minimal supervision. Demonstrated ability to perform detail-oriented functions. Effective personal relations, communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
- Preferred: Proficiency with the FEMA FIS, SOMA, Standards & Guidelines, and statutory procedures. Proficiency with FEMA Mapping Information Platform (MIP) and Community Information System (CIS) Db. Proficiency in GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, Hazus.
Salary and Benefits
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible. The budgeted amount for this position is $80,000 to $105,000. The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for a position
Benefits: The University of Illinois offers a wide variety of benefits https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/benefits, including paid leave https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/leave and holidays https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/leave/holidays
Location
Illinois State Water Survey
2204 Griffith Dr
Champaign, IL 61820
United States
How to apply
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on March 24th 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Application materials must include a 1) a cover letter that clearly articulates how your qualifications and experience make you a viable candidate for this position and should address the qualifications listed above, 2) a CV or resume, and 3) the names and contact information including e-mail addresses of three professional references. All requested information and documentation must be submitted for applications to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Interviews may occur before the close date but no decisions or offers will be made until after.
For further information about this specific position, please contact Jon Freiman HR Business Partner at jcf@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137. The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.