Flood Risk Reduction Specialist (Planner III)

Fairfax County•Fairfax (Ej32), VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) seeks a Flood Risk Reduction Specialist (Planner III) to plan and coordinate flood risk reduction initiatives within the Stormwater Planning Division. Under the general supervision of the Watershed Modeling and Analysis Branch Chief, the position develops and implements strategies and prioritization frameworks to mitigate flood impacts, documents and enhances existing efforts, and coordinates capital construction project design. The role supports community outreach, educational materials and webpages, flood mitigation project identification and prioritization, stakeholder collaboration, grant applications, and GIS-supported operations. It also performs hydrologic and hydraulic engineering analyses for flood mitigation and stormwater management projects; prepares and reviews neighborhood flood mitigation plans and construction documents for regulatory and engineering compliance; provides construction administration; resolves design challenges; oversees consultants; coordinates with utilities; and assists with environmental permitting and construction monitoring. The role manages consultant contracts for stormwater capital improvement projects, including scope development, contract negotiation, and performance monitoring. The position is based in the DPWES Stormwater Planning Division at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia 22035. In 2027, all Stormwater Planning Division assignments will be permanently located at the new Water Resources and Infrastructure building at 6000 Freds Oak Road, Burke, Virginia 22015. Travel to multiple Fairfax County sites may be required. The position is funded through a five-year grant and is expected to be available for the full five-year term; continued employment afterward depends on grant funding or creation of a new position and is not guaranteed. The appointee is subject to emergency callback 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as needed, for snow, flood, and other designated emergencies requiring division resources. The ideal candidate communicates effectively, builds partnerships, aligns work with County vision and values, collaborates across teams, and helps prevent and resolve conflict constructively. The role requires working in office and field settings, including outdoor environments and adverse weather, and may occasionally require work outside normal business hours. Candidates who are bilingual in English and another language are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a planning-related field, plus four years of experience in a planning-related field, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
Valid driver's license.
Complete the first required DEQ Stormwater Management Plan Reviewer training class within 12 months of hire and obtain certification within 12 months of completing the first required class.
Complete a criminal background and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
Effective communication, including clear professional communication, active listening, and confident, concise speaking to individuals and groups.
Ability to build internal and external networks, collaborate across boundaries, and manage competing interests to foster partnerships.
Ability to align work with County vision and values and model that alignment.
Ability to collaborate across teams and departments, contribute to team goals, value others' input, and work effectively as part of a team.
Ability to prevent destructive conflict, facilitate constructive resolution, and promote positive outcomes in disagreements.
Ability and willingness to work in outdoor field settings, noisy conditions, and adverse weather, including hot and cold temperatures, flooding, storms, and snow or ice, while working safely with appropriate PPE.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with the public, coworkers, and supervisors, in person and through telephone or electronic means.
Ability to hike or field-walk over rugged, uneven, slippery, and steep terrain, including in and along streams and stream valleys, for field investigations.
Ability to safely operate County vehicles to travel to locations throughout Fairfax County for meetings and coverage.
Ability to perform office and field work, including extended sitting, standing, walking, computer use, operation of keyboard-driven equipment, and reading or interpreting plans, maps, technical documents, and other written materials with sufficient visual acuity.
Ability to use applicable outdoor PPE, including a hardhat, eye and hearing protection, safety footwear, long pants, and a sleeved shirt. Duties are performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Three or more years of experience in flood mitigation, stormwater management, or regulatory compliance.
Three or more years of experience in project and data management.
One or more years of experience managing grants and engineering contracts for the development of construction plans.
Three or more years of experience in GIS and hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) modeling.
One or more years of experience using software tools for data management and data sharing.
Three or more years of experience delivering technical presentations to diverse groups and elected officials.
Bilingual ability in English and another language.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategies and a prioritization framework to mitigate flood impacts.
Document and enhance existing flood risk reduction efforts.
Coordinate the design of capital construction projects.
Conduct community outreach and maintain and update educational materials and webpages.
Support the identification and prioritization of flood mitigation projects and collaborate with stakeholders.
Prepare grant applications and use GIS tools to support operations.
Perform hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) engineering analyses for flood mitigation and stormwater management projects.
Prepare and review neighborhood flood mitigation project plans and construction documents for regulatory and engineering compliance.
Provide construction administration, resolve design challenges, oversee consultants, coordinate with utilities, and assist with environmental permitting and construction monitoring.
Manage consultant contracts for stormwater capital improvement projects, including scope development, contract negotiation, and performance monitoring.
Respond to designated emergencies requiring division resources when called back, as needed.