Sustainable Communities Planner - Water Management

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma•Durant, OK

About The Position

The Sustainable Communities Planner develops community-specific plans, budgets, funding strategies, and implementation tools to improve the long-term operational, financial, and infrastructure sustainability of reservation public water systems and help communities implement applicable Water Settlement benefits. The role administers the Sustainable Communities program for long-term planning and operations of reservation drinking water systems, and supports water-system, mining, and watershed assessments and sustainable plans for tribal water sources. The position works with community and tribal leaders, water-system operators, technical professionals, organizations, and government agencies to identify needs, prioritize projects, coordinate funding, monitor funded work, and communicate findings. It also administers tribal requirements under Title IV and Title V of the Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Act, as required by federal law and the McGirt/Sizemore decisions. The planner reports to the Sustainable Communities Manager and works Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

Associate degree and two years of relevant experience, or four years of relevant experience in lieu of education, as stated in the Required Education and Experience section.
Bachelor of Science degree, as stated in the Qualifications section.
Ability to identify data gaps, conduct analyses, and compose comprehensive documents.
Ability to work autonomously and make sound, independent decisions in a professional environment.
Experience with scientific protocols, scientific reports, public speaking, and gap identification.
Experience with GIS software; the Qualifications section specifies one year of experience.
Knowledge of federal and state water law, policies, and regulations.
Experience in urban or city planning, public works, resource assessment and planning, or related areas.
Experience in water resource planning, data analysis, and technical report development.
One year of experience in environmental project management.
Two years of experience in environmental data analysis, technical report development, and presenting.

Responsibilities

Assess reservation public water systems’ operational, infrastructure, financial, and technical-assistance needs using system data, community input, and planning studies.
Develop community sustainability plans, capital improvement plans, implementation schedules, and multiyear funding strategies.
Analyze water-system operating costs, projected demand, system capacity, infrastructure condition, revenue requirements, and funding gaps.
Identify grant, loan, and financing opportunities; coordinate application materials, project budgets, supporting documentation, and submission deadlines.
Help communities prioritize water-system projects based on urgency, regulatory requirements, feasibility, funding, and expected community and quality-of-life benefits.
Monitor funded projects, budgets, expenditures, milestones, deliverables, risks, and grant or financing compliance requirements.
Cultivate and maintain working relationships with water-system operators, community and municipal leaders, finance personnel, engineers, project managers, agencies, and local organizations.
Develop practical planning tools, financial models, templates, reports, and presentations from technical and nontechnical information.
Provide outreach and technical assistance concerning sustainable utility management, infrastructure funding, community development, and Water Settlement benefits.
Maintain community and project-planning data, report progress and recommendations, and participate in professional networks and training.
Administer the Sustainable Communities program for long-term planning and operations of reservation drinking water systems under the Water Settlement Agreement.
Administer tribal requirements of Title IV and Title V of the Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Act as required by federal law and the McGirt/Sizemore decisions.
Coordinate and assist with water-system, mining, and watershed assessments and develop long-term sustainable plans for tribal water sources.
Build partnerships with communities, towns, organizations, academic institutions, and federal, state, and local representatives to identify and address community, environmental, and economic needs.
Coordinate with internal tribal departments and state and federal agencies on potential funding mechanisms.
Develop and present reports and technical comments, and interpret technical reports for community leaders and Choctaw Nation leadership.
Attend networking, conference, and training opportunities to increase knowledge of environmental issues.
Assist with coordination of funding and grant opportunities related to water planning, economic development, and sustainability.
Present to community leaders and stakeholders at environmental, economic, and rural or urban development platforms.
Assist the Director of Water Resources with mentorship, guidance, and training for multidisciplinary staff as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.