Hazard Mitigation Planner (FEMA)

WHO WE ARE

Supported by more than 3,400 employees in nearly 100 locations across the United States, we provide a full continuum of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction, and program management. Our clients include U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, and a wide range of private commercial and residential development clients. Michael Baker is committed to delivering a standard of excellence that fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technological advancement to help solve our clients' complex challenges.

DESCRIPTION

Michael Baker International is seeking an energetic early career planner to support hazard mitigation planning, resilience, and community engagement. As a Planner III, you will support community engagements that help state, local, tribal, and territorial partners build their capacity to plan for and reduce their disaster risk. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a national network of risk communications, community outreach, partnership building, hazard mitigation, and environmental experts to tackle multiple hazards and build a safer, more prepared nation.

This position requires knowledge and enthusiasm for hazard mitigation, community outreach, mitigation, equity, and resilience planning. We are looking for a planner who thrives on a team but is comfortable taking ownership of tasks under supervision. Plain language writing, clear and consistent communication, and research and analysis skills are essential.

This remote position will support FEMA Region 10 (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska), and Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands). Candidates must live in the Pacific time zone.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Translate complex technical information about grants and mitigation projects into plain language, accessible resources for local/tribal officials and the public.
• Provide planning and community engagement support in a variety of community meetings that advance a community’s selected resilience vision.
• Build federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial capabilities to understand natural hazard risk and options to reduce that risk.
• Act as a task manager with project management responsibilities (under supervision). This includes both project initiation, including working with peers and clients to develop scopes of work, budgets, and schedules, and project execution and monitoring, including tracking, resourcing, reporting, quality management, and risk and issue identification.
• Ability to occasionally travel (estimated at under 10 trips per year).
• Collect and analyze data to support the delivery of community planning efforts related to any of the following efforts, including hazard mitigation planning, climate adaptation planning, risk assessments, disaster resilience and recovery, floodplain management, and urban and regional planning.
• Support stakeholder outreach and engagement efforts to promote inclusive engagement.
• Research and advise on community planning best practice standards and guidelines.
• Participate in client meetings and follow through on assigned action items directly with clients and communities.
• Support FEMA Regions in hazard mitigation, risk reduction, resiliency planning, natural/water resources planning, community development, hazard mitigation plans.
• Support FEMA Regions in developing and delivering hazard mitigation related trainings.
• Support FEMA Mitigation State and Territory Consultation support as requested.
• Support FEMA Regions in reviewing local and tribal hazard mitigation plans.
• Participate in meetings working with state, local, tribal, and federal officials, elected officials, residents, business leaders and technical experts.
• Evaluate existing mitigation "capabilities" through research of local plans, regulations, policies, and review of programs and documents.
• Proactive communicator with clear and effective communication, using both oral and written communication skills.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Due to contract requirements, being a U.S citizen and/or the ability to obtain a Public Trust Clearance is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in planning, Public Policy, Environmental Management, Geography or related discipline.
• 5 years of experience in community resilience, hazard mitigation or environmental planning, or community outreach and engagement. A master’s degree may substitute for up to two years of professional experience.
• Experience with the Microsoft Suite of programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Passionate about climate resilience and hazard mitigation with the ability to work in a time-sensitive, fast-paced team environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary work.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• A commitment to superior customer service.
• Knowledge of the intersection of Local Hazard Mitigation Plans or adaptation plans or climate action plans.
• Proven and demonstrated ability to communicate (orally and written) technical and scientific information to non-experts in a manner that is clear and compelling.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ownership and accountability for work.
• Capability to work in a dynamic environment, including a demonstrated willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Strong multi-tasking and organizational skills.

PREFERRED

• Relevant professional licenses and certifications, such as Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) or American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Ability to travel periodically, as needed Bilingual English and Spanish proficiency are desirable.
• Master’s degree in planning, Public Policy, Environmental Management or related discipline.
• Understanding of conflict resolution and consensus-building techniques.
• Experience working with tribal nations.
• Previous experience in client services or a consulting environment.

PREFERRED

The salary range for this position is $74,000-$162,000. This will be dependent on the experience and expertise of the incoming candidate.

BENEFITS
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401K Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

Workplace Flexibility: Whether you want to work in the office, at home, or in a hybrid model, we accommodate a variety of preferences. We recognize our employees face many factors when it comes to selecting the best work location, and we are passionate about providing options and flexibility.