Project Specialist IV (Program Planning)

Snohomish County • Everett, WA

5h • Hybrid

About The Position

Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM), a Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is hiring one Project Specialist IV to join SWM’s Program Planning team. SWM is seeking a highly motivated candidate for a Project Specialist IV position to lead the Community Floodplain Solutions Program (CFS). The program works with partners to engage the local floodplain community to understand the dynamics of living in a floodplain and help chart a future of resiliency by implementing actions that support fish, farms, and floods. The position will develop, manage and lead large complex floodplain reach scale planning actions and projects. This position will serve as SWM’s liaison to the Sustainable Lands Strategy (SLS) Executive Committee. SLS is led by an Executive Committee of local stakeholders representing agricultural, fish habitat restoration, and floodplain management interests. The CFS program is a collaborative effort aimed at helping lower flood risks for residents and the agricultural community and increasing salmon habitat without transferring flood hazards to neighbors or downstream landowners. This position will use reach scale plans as well as other localized and regional planning documents, in coordination with SWM Basin Teams and the interdisciplinary Integration Teams (made up of partners like the Snohomish Conservation District, Stillaguamish and Tulalip Tribes, Washington Farmland Trust, State Agencies like WDFW and DNR, cities like Everett and Monroe, Adopt-a-stream, and Ducks Unlimited), to identify specific project ideas, obtain management approval, and write and submit grant applications to fund these projects. The CFS program has been awarded 4 awards from the State Floodplains by Design (FbD) grant program for over $33M in funding. This position will serve as the SWM lead for large complex floodplain projects and the project manager for Phases 2-4 of the FbD grants. This position’s responsibilities include the following: Provide Lead role for Program Planning and Floodplain Services staff working on FbD grant Develop work plans and budgets Develop and manage consultant contracts and other agreements and sub-awards Ensure all project grant tasks across SWM work groups are on schedule and budget. Provide QA/QC for project grant tasks and deliverables. Coordinate with other Public Works Department groups and grant partners to ensure grant is implemented on time and under budget. Engage stakeholders and floodplain residents in project development and implementation Provide oversight of outreach materials, workshops, and grant web site information Work with the Prosecutor’s Office on legal aspects of the grant program Oversee preparation of future grant proposals, including the upcoming 2021-23 Floodplains by Design grant round. If you are dedicated, motivated and team-oriented with professional experience in natural resource planning in the areas of watersheds, floodplains, and habitat protection and restoration, this is your opportunity to make a difference. Job offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in environmental sciences/studies, engineering, public administration, political science, economics, geography, urban planning, sociology or a related field; AND, three (3) years experience in work specific to the specific requirements of the position; OR, any combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• A Master's degree may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
• Must pass job related tests.
• A valid Washington State Driver's License may be required for employment.
• Knowledge of: the principles and practices of solid waste issues or surface water management; research and data collection techniques; current literature, trends, regulations and developments in the solid waste, recycling, moderate risk water or surface water and water resources fields; the use of personal computers.
• Ability to: serve as team leader and direct the activities of subordinate employees; gather, evaluate and document technical data; read, interpret and apply legal documents; independently prepare and implement comprehensive programs; independently organize tasks, delegate responsibility and coordinate a team effort under deadlines; synthesize research results and use these results as a basis for recommendations; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; make effective group presentations; establish and maintain effective work relationships with all levels of county management and staff, representatives of other agencies and the general public; read, interpret and apply federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations governing assigned duties; Communicate effectively with people of all ages and from a variety of cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds; negotiate contracts and oversee contractors; resolve conflicts.

Nice To Haves

• professional experience in natural resource planning in the areas of watersheds, floodplains, and habitat protection and restoration

Responsibilities

• Provide Lead role for Program Planning and Floodplain Services staff working on FbD grant
• Develop work plans and budgets
• Develop and manage consultant contracts and other agreements and sub-awards
• Ensure all project grant tasks across SWM work groups are on schedule and budget.
• Provide QA/QC for project grant tasks and deliverables.
• Coordinate with other Public Works Department groups and grant partners to ensure grant is implemented on time and under budget.
• Engage stakeholders and floodplain residents in project development and implementation
• Provide oversight of outreach materials, workshops, and grant web site information
• Work with the Prosecutor’s Office on legal aspects of the grant program
• Oversee preparation of future grant proposals, including the upcoming 2021-23 Floodplains by Design grant round.
• Assumes lead role in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of solid waste or surface water programs and projects; has lead responsibility for identifying information required, choosing data collection methods and collecting data; assumes lead role in developing program and project options; leads efforts to analyze proposals and cost estimates; leads efforts to solicit input and involvement from department staff and citizens.
• Assumes lead role in the management of multiple, complex pro­grams and projects as assigned.
• May direct and coordinate the activities of Project Specialist I's, II's and III's, or Associate Planners and Senior Planners, public involvement staff and/or technical staff in the planning and implementation of programs and projects as assigned: insures that the completed work complies with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and grant requirements.
• Responsible for development and administration of program/project team's budget, work plan, and schedule to ensure cost effective and timely project completion.
• Responsible for and may lead team in preparing bids, requests for proposals, and contract documents; is responsible for shepherding contracts and inter-local agreements through the approval process; monitors the performance of various contractors, consultants, and cooperating local agencies; approves work in progress and upon completion; approves billings for services received; prepares status reports as required.
• Prepares and submits various grant and loan proposals; implements or leads team which implements the various grant tasks; drafts and negotiates subcontracts under grants; coordinates, monitors and approves work completed by grant funded subcontractors and recipients; administers non-accounting aspects of major and minor grants.
• Serves as principal staff representative on various advisory committees, commissions, and interest groups; coordinates the formation of various groups as necessary; develops agendas and keeps the group informed about problems, needs, pending changes and various topics of interest; moderates discussions, mediates disputes, and resolves conflicts among numerous diverse groups both in-house and outside; arranges for presentations by other staff and agencies; as needed delegates tasks and work assignments to team members; leads the effort to develop group policies, documents and reports.
• Acts as prime contact when questions about programs and projects arise from the public, government officials, business leaders, the media and interest groups; resolves conflicts between various individuals and interest groups; researches files and re­cords and provides information over the phone, in person, and in writing.
• Acts as the program or project's prime spokesperson; principal representative of the county for project or program-related presentations; attends meetings and participates in, or leads discussions.
• Responsible for and may lead team in developing strategic approaches for presenting sensitive issues and information to a variety of audiences; leads group that arranges for, sets up, and/or participates in public meeting, hearings, and council sessions; supervises the preparation of graphics, displays, brochures, leaflets, and slide/tape shows; prepares oral and writ­ten presentations including findings and reports; acts as the department's key representative by responding to questions; solicits input at public meetings as appropriate.
• Prepares or leads team which develops and revises various county codes and policies addressing solid waste management issues or land and water resources.
• Prepares or leads team which formulates, prepares and circulates SEPA documents including checklists and environmental impact statements; reviews and comments on environmental assessments, threshold determinations and statements prepared by other departments and agencies; provides written and oral interpretations of applicable environmental ordinances and policies as necessary.
• Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

• Retirement : County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
• Medical benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plan with low deductibles. The county’s contribution to this benefit is significant.
• Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.
• Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.
• Holiday Pay: The County observes eleven (11) paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.
• wellness
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• long term disability
• Deferred Compensation : If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
• Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step.
• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): County employees typically receive yearly cost of living adjustments.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Career development training.
• Teleworking Options

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level