| Description |
Flood-Prepared Communities Initiative
Pew's flood-prepared communities initiative works to reduce the impact weather-related catastrophes, such as flood and hurricanes, have on the U.S. economy, communities, and environment through four main policy areas:
- Reforming of the National Flood Insurance Program;
- Increased investment in mitigation programs and planning to help communities prepare for future floods;
- Improved resiliency and durability requirements for new and rebuilt infrastructure in flood-prone areas; and
- Promote nature-based solutions like open green space, marshes and mangroves to better protect property and the environment.
In 2019, the initiative expanded its scope to help build flood-resilient states. This state-level approach focuses on systemic planning and adoption of nature-based solutions to address flood risk, boost states' ability to withstand future storms, and lower disaster costs. To accomplish this goal, the initiative launched the State Resilience Planning Group (SRPG)-a network of chief resilience officers, agency directors, and other leaders tasked with developing and implementing statewide resilience strategies-and the State Resilience Partnership (SRP), a collaborative of approximately 20 nongovernmental organizations and academic partners dedicated to curating a centralized hub of resilience knowledge that state officials can use to inform the development of statewide plans.
Position Overview
Pew is seeking to hire an officer to lead efforts across a variety of states to advance flood resilience planning and implementation, providing direct technical assistance to state practitioners tasked with developing statewide resilience plans and strategies, and supporting implementation of state-level regulations and policies.
The position will be responsible for developing approaches to provide applicable assistance directly to state officials and influence state-level resilience planning and implementation efforts. Specifically, the officer will engage directly with state officials to develop planning frameworks, design programs, identify potential funding sources and strategies, and provide specific project-level guidance toward actionable implementation of programs, policies, and projects. The position will work in subject matter areas including, but not limited to, flood mitigation, stormwater management, floodplain acquisition and residential buyouts to expand green space, building standards and permitting, zoning and land use, public finance, and adoption of green and blue natural infrastructure that absorbs stormwater. At times, this work will involve collaborating closely with stakeholders from NGOs, industry, and academia. The officer will work in close collaboration with Pew colleagues in program and operations units, as well as external federal and state-based consultants.
These efforts will contribute to Pew's goal of supporting state-level resilience planning and adoption of nature-based solutions to reduce the impacts of flooding to communities and the environment. This position has a set time frame that could be extended based on the success of the program, funding sources, and board decisions on continued support. The officer will be based in Pew's Washington, DC, office and report to the senior manager, flood-prepared communities initiative, also based in Washington, DC.
Responsibilities
- Oversee a portfolio of state-level planning technical assistance by identifying and setting measurable short- and intermediate-term goals, developing work plans and timelines, reviewing developed work products, and tracking progress toward goals.
- Work with the senior manager and the project team to identify key resilience planning issues and challenges as well as in-state opportunities to influence the development and implementation of statewide resilience plans.
- Lead development of original research and other products in response to needs identified at the state-level and through the State Resilience Planning Group (SRPG).
- Sustain an informed awareness of topics related to flood mitigation and nature-based policy solutions, including a thorough understanding of national, state, and local initiatives related to the issue.
- Monitor and coordinate internal capacity for implementing strategic state-level planning goals.
- Coordinate, identify, and vet consultants and firms and ensure that negotiations of contracts are cost-effective and achieve program objectives. Manage the use of consultants and third-party vendors in support of state planning and associated research activities.
- Contribute to and participate in Pew-wide projects as requested.
- Represent the project and Pew with the media and at conferences and other events.
- Collaborate with communications, government relations, legal affairs, and operations to manage the project's presence in selected states including, but not limited to, assisting with lobbying and ethics compliance, developing strategic partnerships, and coordinating activities between projects across Pew.
- Represent the project and lead meetings with officials and key stakeholders from the climate resilience, disaster recovery, business, environmental, financial, insurance, urban and regional planning, emergency management, and research communities.
- Support efforts to develop and maintain external partnerships ranging from national organizations to influential state entities. This includes coordinating with government relations and other operations units within Pew.
- Collaborate with internal communications to develop and implement outreach plans including the drafting of selected press releases, op-eds, memos and speeches.
Requirements
- Bachelors degree or equivalent experience required in public policy, public administration, urban and/or regional planning, architecture, economics, or other relevant field.
- At least eight years of applicable experience in the field gained through professional education, training, or professional experience in the resilience planning arena, particularly working to develop and implement local, state, and/or regional resilience plans or strategies. Expert-level knowledge of flood mitigation and development of green and blue infrastructure to mitigate flood risk is strongly preferred.
- Prior to commencing employment with Pew, candidates for this position who were registered to lobby in any jurisdiction must certify termination of previous registration(s) and provide copies of termination notices with said jurisdiction(s) to Pew.
- Demonstrated time- and project-management skills, including an ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Ability to establish a systematic course of action to ensure project completion.
- Ability to think strategically and creatively, adjust to changing circumstances, remain attentive to details and exercise sound judgment in problem-solving.
- Ability to develop and move complex projects forward with a high degree of independence within a creative, fast-paced, action-oriented and collegial environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of resilience planning best practices and trends.
- A clear, effective writing and presentation style.
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, foster consensus, and collaborate with diverse partners to advance pragmatic solutions.
- Acute political awareness and nonpartisan perspective and approach.
- Experience convening groups of policymakers, practitioners, stakeholders, researchers and other constituencies. Demonstrated ability to build relationships and support efforts to develop consensus and move toward a desired outcome.
Travel
Regular travel to individual states and occasional conferences will be required, consistent with COVID-19 safety protocols.
Total Rewards
We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
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PI147796439
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