Floodplain Policy Coordinator

Summary

Are you ready to elevate your career to work in the exciting world of floodplain management? Do you have strong organizational skills and thrive in a fast-paced work environment? Then come j oin the River and Floodplain Management Section, a nationwide leader in integrated floodplain management and develop ment of innovative flood risk reduction strategies ! As a Floodplain Policy Coordinator, you will help shape both safer and more resilient communities , and the future of sustainable floodplain management. You'll join a collaborative, innovative team that values creative problem-solving, continuous learning, and making a real impact. If you're ready to grow your career while safeguarding our environment and communities, this is the role for you!

About the Role :
The primary purpose of the Floodplain Policy Coordinator (Project/Program Manager III) is to be part of a technical team within the Department of Natural Resources and Parks that ensures the sustainable and compliant manag ement of King County’s floodplain s through coordination, technical expertise , and collaboration with the Department of Local Services . The role includes reviewing floodplain development permits and setting permit conditions, c oordinat ing the technical review and approval o f F loodplain D evelopment P ermits and Flood Hazard Certificates , support ing site visits and pre-application meetings , and collaborat ing with others to enhance permitting processes. The Floodplain Policy Coordinator t rack s and evaluate s proposed FEMA floodplain map revisions and provide s technical assistance to property owners on how map changes affect their properties and potential development s . In addition, t he role includes providing clear floodplain information to inform community members, practitioners, and officials about regulatory and risk management practices .

This position performs work remotely and onsite.

About the Team:

The River and Floodplain Management Section (RFMS) is a nationwide leader in integrated floodplain management and development of innovative flood risk reduction strategies. We have an opportunity that offers exciting challenges for two (2) standout candidate s to join our dynamic team that is dedicated to innovation, growth and the opportunity to enhance the environment and protect people from flooding .

The River and Floodplain Management Section has a diverse work program to reduce flood risks to the residents of King County in a manner that restores river and floodplain processes, considers equitable outcomes and future conditions related to climate change, promotes flood-resilient communities, and provides a collaborative and engaged professional environment where RFMS staff can grow and thrive. The Policy, Performance, and Strategy Unit informs floodplain policy development and implementation ; assists in defining, strategizing , and measur ing our actions to promote flood-resilient communities and reduce flood risk ; and ensures that RFMS teams are aligned with the goals and policies of King County and the King County Flood Control District .

Specific to this recruitment, the Policy, Performance, and Strategy Unit has a Floodplain Policy Team that c ollaborates broadly to uphold King County’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Community Rating System memberships , among other duties.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Floodplain Policy Coordinator , you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resource Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) or Wastewater Treatment Division. Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

Floodplain Development Coordination : Oversee the technical review and evaluation of F loodplain D evelopment P ermit applications and Flood Hazard Certificates , ensure NFIP , state and county development standards are met , and record complianc e measures, participate in pre-application meetings and site visits in coordination with permitting staff; maintain records and collaborate with others to enhance processes while upholding regulatory standards.


Map Revisions and FEMA Coordination : Analyze proposed f loodplain map amendments and revisions , collaborate with FEMA , coordinate evaluation of applicant requests, provide technical support to property owners, and facilitat e applications for FEMA map amendments and revisions to reflect accurate flood plain and flood risk conditions.


Effective Communication : Provide flood map information , risk management practices, and clear floodplain regulatory requirements to community members , practitioners , colleagues, and officials.


Post-Disaster Assessment: Coordinate and conduct damage assessment surveys, e valuat ing flood damage, document ing losses, and advocat ing for policies and recovery strategies that enhance floodplain resilience.


King County Code Management: Monitor and contribute to the updat e of codes to comply with federal and state requirements, interpreting complex regulations, and staying informed on legislative changes that impact floodplain management.


Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Relevant lived experience: The equivalent of a degree from an accredited institution with a major emphasis in floodplain management, land use, environmental or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field AND three (3) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
  
• Technical skills: Proficiency in reading and interpreting construction plans, building codes, and environmental regulations. Basic knowledge of principles of surveying, building construction, hydrology and hydraulics.
  
• Optimizes work processes: Skilled at productively managing multiple complex tasks simultaneously. Efficiently and effectively maintains records and documents that keep the community eligible to participate in the FEMA’s NFIP and Community Rating System (CRS).
  
• Collaborator: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Ability to deal tactfully, explain complex issues, and build understanding among diverse groups and individuals that might include public officials, property owners, developers, and organizational colleagues.
  
• Computer proficiency: Ability to utilize various computer software programs such as Word, Excel, GIS (ArcGIS, etc.). And the ability to learn permit related software.
  

Required Licenses:

• Valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to starting work if selected for this position.

Competencies You Bring:

• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Being Resilient: Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Relevant professional certifications: Certified Floodplain Manage r (CFM), American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP) or other related professional certification is a plus. King County will support the candidate to acquire their CFM from the Association of State Floodplain Managers ( ASFPM) within 1 year of being hired. Annual training budget can support further professional education and accreditation.
  

• NFIP knowledge: Working knowledge of the National Flood Insurance Program, its minimum standards, principles and programs.
  

Supplemental Information

Supplemental Information:

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite and/or field visit reporting requirements typically 1-4 times per month . The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department’s vision of Green Where We Work .
• Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to meet workplace reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: These full-time positions will work a 40-hour work week. These positions are exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. The typical work schedule is 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday- Friday. Attendance at evening meetings and weekend events may be required from time to time including for staffing of the Flood Warning Center or Flood Patrol during flood emergencies.
• Union Representation: These positions are represented by Teamsters, Local 117-Professional & Technical Bargaining Unit.
• Duration : This recruitment aims to fill two (2) Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions with an anticipated duration of 3 years . If the positions are filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation, they will be offered the role as a Special Duty Assignment.
• Physical Requirement: These positions will be required to traverse uneven terrain in weather conditions including possible inclement weather.

Application and Selection Process: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates . We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. This posting may be used to create an eligibility list for future vacancies in similar positions over the next six months.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Online Application with response to supplemental questions.
• Resume (not required but will be reviewed if submitted).
• Cover Letter (please be sure to address in your cover letter how your skills and experience meet the minimum qualifications listed in this job posting).

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Isaac Good at (206) 848-0576 or igood@kingcounty.gov .

Discover More About the Water Land & Resources Division: Visit our website .

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our " True North ", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer: No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 3/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

Show more