Local Government Specialist 4

This position serves as the State of Alaska’s floodplain administrator - the state coordinating officer for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in Alaska.

What you will be doing:
As a local government specialist within the Division of Community and Regional Affairs, this position is responsible for performing a broad range of functions to advise and assist Alaska communities, including the management of programs serving communities that participate in the NFIP, such as the Community Assistance Program, and associated duties and functions regarding assistance to local governments on funding, community resilience and preparedness. The incumbent will work closely with the State Risk MAP Coordinator on flood mapping and other natural hazard data collection and assist in establishing future flood mapping study priorities for the state.

This position is based in Anchorage.

Our organization, mission and culture:
The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development assists the people, villages, cities and businesses of Alaska with a focus on outcomes, an efficient use of Alaska’s abundant resources, and putting individual Alaskans before bureaucracy.  

The Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) promotes strong communities and healthy economies by providing information, technical assistance, financial assistance, and other capacity building resources to communities. This position will directly advise and provide technical assistance to Alaska's NFIP-participating communities in carrying out their floodplain management programs and implementing their flood reduction ordinances. DCRA is an advisory agency and does not regulate or enforce.

The benefits of joining our team:
You will be joining a team of passionate employees who demonstrate a high level of initiative, excellent interpersonal skills, ability to adapt to a changing environment, and an interest in working with rural Alaska communities. There are periodic opportunities for advancement within the division. The option for hybrid teleworking may be available and the division offers flexible work weeks.

Where you will be working:
The Division of Community and Regional Affairs is located on the 16th floor of the Atwood building in downtown Anchorage. Free covered parking is provided.  You will be part of a dynamic team of professionals who enjoy working with the rural Alaska communities they serve and who provide guidance, technical assistance, training, and resources to help communities improve resilience, sustainability, and overcome barriers to growth and development. 

The successful candidate will need some of the following knowledge, skills and abilities: 

• Experience with or demonstrated understanding of floodplain management, community planning, and land use implementation as related to flood hazards, or other natural hazards.
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification is desired but not required.
• Ability to work on federal grants including preparation and submitting of grant applications, completing grant reports and updating budget information and costs.
• Experience communicating policies, rules, regulations and statutes to the public, co-workers, and government officials in oral or written form.
• Experience with or demonstrated understanding of community hazard mitigation.
• Ability to communicate information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information. Ability to communicate across cultures and to small communities.
• Experience organizing and facilitating meetings with Alaska communities ranging from small rural communities to large municipalities.
• Experience representing an agency/division/company at public meetings or hearings as directed.
• Demonstrated experience working with remote rural communities.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, developing, and implementing priorities and initiatives for programs.

Special Notice:
This position may travel to rural Alaska communities. Some travel may involve non-commercial sleeping arrangements (i.e. city hall or schools) and traveling by small planes.  Annual out-of-state travel opportunities include attendance at the Association of State Floodplain Managers Conference, the Northwest Regional Floodplain Management Association Conference, and meetings with FEMA Region 10 in Lynnwood or Seattle, Washington.