Lincoln, Nebraska
United Arab Emirates
Tempe, Arizona
Palatka, Florida
Posted: 24-Feb-25
Location: Champaign, Illinois
Type: Full Time
Salary: $80,000-$105,000
Years of Experience:
Salary Details:
Required Education:
Additional Information:
Internal Number: 1029455
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.
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.