Resiliency Specialist

City of Wilmington•929 N. Front Street, NC

About The Position

The City of Wilmington is seeking a Resiliency Specialist to strengthen community resilience through education, outreach, and practical initiatives that protect waterways, reduce stormwater impacts, and help residents understand and manage community risks. The role leads the City’s Heal Our Waterways (HOW) program and works with residents, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, environmental organizations, and other partners to improve watershed health, reduce pollution, and promote sustainable stormwater practices. The specialist also supports community preparedness and risk-reduction initiatives by connecting people with resources, developing educational programs, and translating data and research into community action. The position coordinates community outreach, education, watershed and stormwater projects, program evaluation, and risk-reduction activities. It uses GIS, mapping, field observations, and program data to identify needs, guide outreach, track progress, and communicate results. The specialist works across City departments and with external partners to address implementation challenges, monitor relevant regulations and funding opportunities, and prepare reports and presentations for City leadership, community partners, and the public. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental planning, sustainability, urban and regional planning, geography, emergency management, public administration, natural resources, engineering, community development, communications, education, or a related field, and three years of progressively responsible professional experience in a related field.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Knowledge of community resilience, hazard mitigation, stormwater management, watershed protection, and environmental risk-reduction principles.
Knowledge of community engagement and public education practices.
Knowledge of local, State, and Federal resources related to resilience, stormwater, flooding, emergency preparedness, and environmental protection.
Ability to translate complex technical, environmental, and risk information into clear, practical information for the general public.
Ability to build trust and productive relationships with residents, community organizations, businesses, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders.
Strong public speaking, presentation, facilitation, and written communication skills.
Strong project coordination and organizational skills.
Ability to independently manage multiple community programs, projects, and priorities.
Ability to collect, analyze, and communicate data using GIS and other technology.
Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and levels of technical knowledge.
Ability to identify community needs and develop practical, creative, and measurable solutions.
Ability to coordinate effectively across City departments while maintaining an outward-facing, community-centered focus.
Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, or outside normal business hours for community meetings, events, workshops, or emergency preparedness activities.
Office work requires visual acuity, hearing, and manual dexterity for reviewing documents, analyzing data, and completing administrative responsibilities.
Field work may involve standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, and occasionally lifting or carrying objects up to 10 pounds.
Field work may involve uneven terrain, traffic, construction areas, and outdoor weather conditions; appropriate personal protective equipment must be used.
Occasional travel to meetings, evening events, or after-hours response is required.
Work must comply with applicable State and Federal OSHA regulations, including requirements concerning hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and slip, trip, and fall prevention.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and delivering community outreach, education, and engagement programs.
Experience working directly with residents, neighborhood organizations, community groups, businesses, schools, or nonprofit organizations.
Experience supporting stormwater management, watershed protection, water quality, or environmental education initiatives.
Experience coordinating programs and community initiatives involving multiple partners and stakeholders.
Experience using GIS, mapping, and data visualization tools to support planning, outreach, and decision-making.
Experience developing, administering, and reporting on grants.
Experience working in municipal government or collaborating with governmental agencies.

Responsibilities

Conduct community outreach, presentations, workshops, meetings, preparedness events, and educational activities throughout Wilmington.
Collect and communicate community data, identify recurring concerns and needs, and identify opportunities to inform City programs and resilience initiatives.
Lead and coordinate implementation of the City's Heal Our Waterways (HOW) program.
Develop and implement community-based strategies to improve watershed health, reduce stormwater pollution and runoff, protect waterways, and address flooding and other stormwater-related risks.
Build relationships with residents, property owners, neighborhood organizations, schools, businesses, environmental organizations, universities, and other community partners.
Develop and coordinate public education and engagement campaigns concerning stormwater management, watershed health, water quality, flooding prevention, and environmental stewardship.
Promote practical stormwater management practices for residents, businesses, institutions, and community organizations.
Coordinate watershed education, restoration, demonstration, retrofit, monitoring, and community improvement projects.
Identify opportunities to expand stormwater best management practices, green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and other approaches that reduce runoff and improve water quality.
Use GIS, mapping, field observations, program data, and other information to identify needs and target outreach and stormwater resilience efforts.
Track HOW program activities, best management practices, watershed improvements, community participation, and other performance measures.
Evaluate program effectiveness and prepare reports and recommendations about watershed and stormwater initiatives.
Work with City departments and external partners to address technical, regulatory, infrastructure, and operational issues affecting community stormwater initiatives.
Support implementation of community risk-reduction strategies identified through the City's Community Risk Analysis and other risk assessments.
Connect community members and organizations with City programs, technical resources, funding opportunities, and external assistance.
Use community feedback and program data to identify service, information, or resource gaps and recommend improvements.
Collect and analyze community, environmental, stormwater, watershed, and hazard-related information to identify needs and opportunities for intervention.
Use GIS and other analytical tools to develop maps and visualizations supporting outreach, focus areas, and public education.
Maintain accurate records of community engagement, program activities, projects, best management practices, watershed improvements, and performance measures.
Develop dashboards, maps, reports, and other tools to plan work and communicate program activities, community needs, and outcomes.
Establish and monitor performance measures for the HOW program and other assigned resilience initiatives.
Evaluate community programs and outreach efforts and recommend adjustments based on participation, outcomes, feedback, and emerging needs.
Prepare reports and presentations for City leadership, advisory boards, funding organizations, regulatory agencies, community partners, and the public.
Monitor relevant Federal, State, and local regulations, funding opportunities, research, and best practices related to stormwater, watershed management, emergency preparedness, resilience, environmental protection, and community risk reduction.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus other insurance options.
Retirement benefits, including a City-provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment in the North Carolina Local Government Employees’ Retirement System.
Employer-paid health and wellness clinic.
Free on-site City gym access.
Paid sick and vacation leave and 13 paid holidays per year.
Six weeks of paid parental leave.
Paid volunteer and blood donation leave.
Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on position.
Professional development trainings and leadership initiatives.
Tuition assistance benefits.