Sustainable Communities Planner - Water Management

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma • Durant, OK

3d • Onsite

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 support communities in implementing applicable Water Settlement benefits. The role administers the Sustainable Communities program for long-term drinking-water-system planning and operations, and contributes to sustainable plans for tribal water sources and related water, mining, and watershed assessments. 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 works with communities, tribal departments, water-system operators, leaders, technical professionals, government agencies, and other partners. The position analyzes system and community information, develops plans and funding materials, supports projects and grant compliance, and communicates technical findings and recommendations to leadership and community stakeholders. The position 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 under Required Education and Experience.
• 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 Geographic Information System (GIS) software.
• 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.
• Bachelor of Science degree, as listed under Qualifications.
• One year of experience with GIS software, as listed under Qualifications.
• One year of experience in environmental project management, as listed under Qualifications.
• Two years of experience in environmental data analysis, technical report development, and presenting, as listed under Qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Assess the operational, infrastructure, financial, and technical-assistance needs of reservation public water systems using system data, community input, and available planning studies.
• Develop community sustainability plans, capital improvement plans, implementation schedules, and multiyear funding strategies for reliable and financially sustainable water services.
• Analyze water-system operating costs, projected demand, system capacity, infrastructure condition, revenue requirements, and funding gaps.
• Identify grant, loan, and financing opportunities and coordinate application materials, project budgets, supporting documentation, and submission deadlines.
• Help communities prioritize water-system projects based on urgency, regulatory requirements, feasibility, available 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, government agencies, local organizations, academic institutions, and other partners.
• Interpret technical and nontechnical information and develop planning tools, financial models, templates, reports, technical comments, and presentations for leadership and community stakeholders.
• Provide outreach, presentations, mentorship, guidance, and technical assistance concerning sustainable utility management, infrastructure funding, community development, environmental issues, and applicable Water Settlement benefits.
• 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 to reduce or mitigate issues or degradation.
• Coordinate with internal tribal departments and state and federal agencies regarding efforts and potential funding mechanisms.
• Maintain community and project-planning data; report progress, funding status, risks, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
• Attend and participate in professional networks, conferences, and training opportunities to improve knowledge of relevant practices and environmental issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Free gym membership.
• Free access to employee health clinic.
• Free lunch for casino and resort associates.
• Earned-wage access once per week for hourly associates.
• Pet insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• College tuition reimbursement.
• Short-term disability, long-term disability, and family leave.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee prescription program.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Teladoc.
• On-site dental clinics.
• On-site mammogram services.
• Free diabetes and hypertension monitoring benefit.
• Concierge benefits program.
• Wellness program that can reduce health insurance costs.
• Maternity care program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time