Disaster Mitigation Recovery Supervisor - Mt Vernon, United States - Skagit County, WA

Description

Salary: See Position Description

Location : Mount Vernon, WA

Job Type: Regular Full-Time

Job Number:

Department: Emergency Management

Opening Date: 03/14/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Summary

Reporting directly to the Chief of Emergency Management, the Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Supervisor provides strategic management, oversight and implementation of disaster mitigation and recovery plans/programs with the aim of reducing the risk and impact of flooding to vulnerability of communities, enhancing public safety, and minimizing economic losses from flood events.

This position will directly supervise staff and programs associated with flood mitigation including, but not limited to: the administration of the Community Rating System, FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance and related grants /programs such as buyouts and elevations, and supporting coastal and inland flood mitigation planning in conjunction with local floodplain management practices.

Drawing from an all-hazards foundation, the Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Supervisor also provides general support to the Chief of Emergency Management in planning, coordinating, and managing staff and activities related to emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

The Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Supervisor is highly skilled and trained in:

• Complex Project Management
• FEMA Mitigation Programs
• National Disaster Recovery Framework
• Federal Grant Management
• Flood Mitigation and Implementation
• Leading Multi-Disciplinary Teams
• Effective Communication
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
• Problem-Solving and Innovation
• Financial Management and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
• Leadership and Decision Making
• Attention to Detail

Salary upon hire is $37.99/hr to $40.69/hr (step 1 through 3) depending upon qualifications.

Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 10 (top step is $50.53/hr.). The Disaster Mitigation Recovery Supervisor (Emergency Management) is Range 28 of the Non-rep salary schedule.

Essential Functions

Leads Flood Mitigation Planning and Implementation, including but not limited to:

• FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance Program: Leads Skagit County's participation in FEMA's flood mitigation grant programs, including navigating the application process, understanding eligibility criteria, and ensuring projects comply with FEMA and local regulations.
• Risk Assessment and Analysis: Conducts comprehensive assessments to identify flood risks and vulnerabilities throughout Skagit County. May establish and prepare methodologies for data collection, analysis, and studies related to land use, transportation, growth management, community development, environmental impacts, and land use proposals/projects. May conduct data collection and processing to facilitate a consistent and comprehensive information system. Conducts investigation, analysis, and preparation of documents for public policy issues, community planning and development.
• Mitigation Strategies: Develops, manages, and implements strategies aimed at reducing long-term risk to life and property from floods. Including FEMA Hazard Mitigation project proposals, grants, and subrecipient awards. Examples include structural measures (such as floodwalls/seawalls, floodgates, levees, and evacuation routes) and non-structural measures (such as elevated structures, property buyouts, permanent relocation, working with other County departments on zoning, subdivision, and building codes, land-use planning, and floodplain restoration). Performs visits to site inspections to identify possible mitigation measures and to ensure funded projects are executed in compliance with FEMA and Skagit County standards. Coordinate with various Hazard Mitigation staff and State Hazard Mitigation Officers.
• Community Engagement: Engages with the community to increase awareness about flood risks and protection measures, flood insurance, and promote practices that reduce vulnerability.

Project Management: Acts as a hands-on project manager over multiple disaster recovery projects simultaneously. Plans, executes, and oversees mitigation and recovery projects efficiently. This includes setting realistic timelines, budget management, resource allocation, and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. Recruits, selects, and provides oversight for contractors and consultants under contract with the County. In this capacity, directly supervises contracted professionals including control of project scope, schedule, and budget. Reviews and approves the technical work of consultants, contracting agencies, and other organizations as appropriate. Coordinates the processing of a wide variety of challenging projects that require multi-disciplinary team review; functions as the primary point of contact on assigned development projects for the applicant, public, staff and/or decision makers; requests the assignment of appropriate multidisciplinary team members for assigned projects from department managers and ensures that appropriate levels and functions of staff are present at project meetings to make decisions; monitors project review timelines, seeks expertise outside the team as necessary, communicates when needed with project proponents/opponents, and serves to resolve procedural issues.

Public Policy Advisor: Communicates and interacts with elected officials and administrators of public agencies/departments and executives of private organizations, at the request and on behalf of the Director or Chief, to analyze, evaluate, resolve, and educate others on public policy issues and disaster recovery regulations. Advises, prepares, and presents reports and recommendations to the County Commissioners, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, committees, community groups, and private organizations regarding comprehensive planning, regulatory ordinances, and development proposals/projects. Provides technical consulting on program compliance, policy, and procedures. Responds to public inquiries with information on public policy, and disaster mitigation regulations.

FEMA Public Assistance Policy Expert: Advises on complex FEMA Public Assistance eligibility policy related to large scale projects for any type of disaster. Subject matter expert for FEMA Public Assistance Programs and is the point person on all policy-related questions. Develops and ensures programs are positioned to optimize disaster grant resource allocation, builds strong solutions to impacted areas, and provides strong risk management.

Community Rating System Supervisor: Responsible for managing staff and ultimately implementing all aspects of the FEMA Community Rating System (CRS). Ensures that the County's floodplain management efforts are recognized and rewarded through lower flood insurance premiums. Fosters a culture of resilience and preparedness, reducing the community's vulnerability to flooding. Plays a pivotal role in managing Skagit County's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) and supporting floodplain management practices. Maintains detailed records of all floodplain management activities, including documentation required for CRS verification and audits. Encourages property owners to purchase flood insurance policies, highlighting the benefits and potential savings through the community's CRS rating. Educates residents and businesses on how to obtain flood insurance and mitigate flood risks to their properties.

Leads Recovery and Rehabilitation Planning, to include but not limited to:

• Damage Assessments: Leads planning, establishes processes, and trains volunteers and county personnel to conduct damage assessments post-flood determining the impact on properties, infrastructure, and communities.
• Recovery Planning: Develops recovery plans that prioritize the restoration of critical services and infrastructure, as well as long-term community resilience building.
• Financial Management: Identifies, secures, and manage funding sources for recovery and reconstruction efforts, including federal assistance, insurance claims, public assistance, and grants.

SUPERVISORY:
Directly Supervises staff.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:
Performs a County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) position as assigned.

On occasion, may be required to fulfill all or part of a one-week duty officer cycle that requires carrying and answering a cell phone, 24/7 while on duty.

May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee's classification of work.
Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical path to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, environmental science, emergency management, business administration, or related field.
• A minimum of three years' experience in flood mitigation, emergency management, disaster response, and/or disaster recovery.
• Three years of experience managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Three years of experience in project management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a focus on team-building and staff development.
• Ability to work under pressure and make critical decisions in emergency situations.
• Experience in developing and implementing disaster mitigation programs and measures.
• Experience with FEMA mitigation grants from application to successfully close out. Completion of FEMA courses IS-100, IS-200, iS-800, ICS-300 and ICS-400, within 1 year of hire.

REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Flood risk reduction strategies including knowledge of various flood mitigation techniques and practices.
• FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, including in-depth understanding of the policies, guidelines, and requirements specific to FEMA's flood mitigation grant programs.
• The technical aspects of FEMA project management and other recovery grant programs.
• Compliance, identification, development, and review of technical federal applications for structural mitigation projects and other flood control projects.
• Broad basis in public policy formation and analysis, governmental processes, and public and private sector economics is essential.
• Advanced level knowledge of disaster recovery, emergency management and associated state/federal legislation .
• Advanced level knowledge of FEMA Public Assistance grant programs.
• Advanced level experience using FEMA and State and Local grants management and documentation systems.
• Conflict management skills.
• Strong project/consultant management skills.
• Computer operations, applications, and general office equipment skills.
• Experience with construction management projects desired, but not required.

REQUIRES THE ABILITY TO:

• Exercise independent judgment.
• Plan and implement projects with successful outcomes.
• Research and organize data.
• To inspire, motivate, and guide a team of emergency management and allied professionals to successfully complete projects.
• Manage contracts.
• Interpret and adhere to local, state, and federal funding and other requirements.
• Understand and navigate the complex and often unpredictable nature of politics and public service.
• Successfully create program to implement FEMA buyouts and elevations.
• Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing, to a variety of professional and community audiences, and to establish and maintain good working relationships with County Commissioners, the Planning Commission, officials of other jurisdictions, project applicants or proponents, Department employees and other professionals, consultants, citizen groups, the general public, and other agencies and departments.
• Plan, schedule, and review the work and performance of staff and/or contracted consultants.
• Prepare and direct the preparation of reports, departmental materials, and correspondence.
• Use, understand and interpret statutes, codes, and other disaster prevention, mitigation, and recovery related subjects.
• Comprehend and communicate complex policy and legal issues to policymakers and the general public.
• Work independently with minimal supervision as well as within a team framework to accomplish objectives under a tight deadline.
• Able to remain flexible and adapt quickly to changes during each assignment.

LICENSES and/or CERTIFICATIONS
Valid Washington State Driver's License

Certified Floodplain Manager from the Association of State Floodplain Managers

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is typically performed in an office environment. Work requires remaining seated for long periods of time. Some outdoor on-site review may be required. Occasional lifting, crawling, climbing, or walking on uneven or steep terrain. High level of analytical ability, calculation of dimensional requirements, analyzing site plan and building measurements, ability to multi-task. Occasionally, night meetings may be required.

HAZARDS:
Those present in a normal office environment. May involve trips to project sites or damaged areas when coordinating with FEMA and other agencies. Physical hazard may be present during inspection of unsafe job sites. Occasional walking on uneven or steep terrain. Driving hazards to sites and meetings. Possible hazards in the field such as dogs, upset landowners, etc.
Supplemental Information

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination with regard to race, color religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status and/or physical or mental disability in its employment practices.

Skagit County offers a competitive benefits package for Full-Time employees, including:

• Health Insurance: A variety of plans to choose from, including the County's Standard Medical Plan, for which the employee only pays $70 a month for medical and the County pays 100% of the dental and vision premiums for employee and dependents depending on the plan selected. Spouses may be added to the plan for $130 per month.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• Retirement: All employees must participate in a Washington State Department of Retirement Services plan, and may participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan if desired.
• Group Life Insurance: Basic insurance and Long-Term Disability is provided to employee and dependents, with additional insurance available to purchase.
• Employee Assistance Program for employees and family members for help with personal or family problems.