Director - Flood Commission

Doña Ana County; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 154,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Doña Ana County seeks a seasoned leader to direct flood control, floodplain management, and drainage programs, ensuring public safety and infrastructure resilience. The role steers strategic plans, regulatory compliance, and capital projects while coordinating with elected officials and regulators.

The position requires a PE license, CFM certification, and a strong track record in public works design, construction, and supervision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, or related field.
• Minimum eight (8) years of increasingly responsible in a similar industry, five (5) years of experience in public works project design and construction work, which include responsibility for office administration and for the preparation of contract documents, specifications and plans and five (5) years of supervisory or management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the Flood Commission department operations and strategic goals.
• Hire, train, coach, and develop employees; manage performance evaluations and disciplinary actions.
• Review and approve plans for flood control facilities and drainage projects; ensure compliance with regulations.
• Prepare, monitor, and administer the departmental budget; secure grant funding and manage contracts.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders; provide leadership during emergencies.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Public administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

AutoCAD Civil 3D

GIS software

Job description

NOTICE TO APPLICANT

This position will close at 12:00AM MST on the End Date.

You must ensure your application reflects the correct and current information for your work experience, hours worked per week per position, education, personal information, etc.

Only the information provided on this application is evaluated when determining compensation.

Job Description

PURPOSE SUMMARY.

Direct, plan, and oversee the County's flood control, floodplain management, and drainage programs to reasonably protect public safety, infrastructure, and property.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES.

1. Leadership & Strategic Management

• Plan, direct, manage, and oversee the daily operations of the Flood Commission department.
• Lead the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures to meet legal requirements and County needs.
• Develop strategic plans to support flood mitigation, floodplain management, and infrastructure resilience.
• Provide input to senior leadership on flood control initiatives and participate as a member of the County's management team.
• Represent the department before the Flood Commissioner, Board of County Commissioners, advisory boards, regulatory agencies, and the public.
• Deliver presentations and respond to public, stakeholders, and elected official inquiries.

2. Personnel & Organizational Development

• Assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of department personnel.
• Hire, train, coach, and develop employees.
• Administer personnel policies and procedures, including performance evaluations and disciplinary actions as needed.
• Promote employee development by supporting required certifications and professional training.
• Identify staffing and resource needs to support departmental operations.

3. Engineering, Floodplain Management & Capital Projects

• Review and approve plans for new and existing flood control facilities.
• Review and approve drainage plans for proposed developments.
• Review and approve floodplain development and building permits for compliance with applicable regulations.
• Evaluate and prioritize the construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair of flood control infrastructure.
• Plan, direct, and oversee flood control capital improvement projects.
• Select, negotiate, and acquire property or easements necessary for flood control projects.
• Provide technical guidance on flood control engineering, drainage, and floodplain management.
• Prepare, review, and approve technical specifications, scopes of work, and engineering documents.

4. Financial Oversight & Contract Administration

• Prepare, monitor, and administer the departmental budget.
• Approve expenditures and ensure operations remain within authorized appropriations.
• Seek, apply for, and secure grant funding for flood control and flood mitigation projects.
• Oversee grant administration to ensure compliance with funding requirements and reporting obligations.
• Prepare, negotiate, administer, and monitor contracts for engineering consultants, professional services, and construction projects.
• Monitor consultant and contractor performance to ensure compliance with contractual requirements.

5. Regulatory Compliance & Intergovernmental Coordination

• Enforce local, state, and federal floodplain management and flood control regulations.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and implement operational updates to maintain compliance.
• Coordinate departmental activities with County departments, municipalities, state and federal agencies, consultants, developers, and contractors.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, and County requirements.
• Prepare and approve reports, technical documents, and regulatory submittals on behalf of the County.
• Respond to emergencies and provide technical leadership related to flood events, infrastructure damage, and disaster recovery, as assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES.

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS.

A. Education.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, or related field.

B. Experience.

Minimum eight (8) years of increasingly responsible in a similar industry, five (5) years of experience in public works project design and construction work, which include responsibility for office administration and for the preparation of contract documents, specifications and plans and five (5) years of supervisory or management experience.

C. Education/Experience substitution.

N/A

D. Licenses/Certifications.

Valid driver's license. Must maintain a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with County policy. Must possess a current Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the New Mexico State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors or an equivalent licensing authority from another state. If licensed in another state at the time of hire, New Mexico licensure must be obtained within six (6) months of employment. Must currently possess a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification or obtain the certification within 24 months of hire.

E. Other (e.g., post-offer medical exam, polygraph, background check, driver's license record, etc.).

Must pass pre-employment background check and driving record check.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

Knowledge of :

• Principles, practices, and techniques of floodplain management, flood control, drainage engineering, hydrology, and hydraulics.
• One-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) hydraulic and hydrologic modeling.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ArcGIS, AutoCAD Civil 3D, surveying, and related engineering technologies.
• Engineering principles applicable to the planning, design, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and operation of flood control infrastructure.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, standards, and permitting requirements governing floodplain management, stormwater, and public infrastructure.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), National Dam Safety Program (NDSP), New Mexico Dam Safety Organization (NMDSO), Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) programs and requirements.
• Principles and practices of public administration, strategic planning, organizational leadership, supervision, and program evaluation.
• Budget development, financial management, public procurement, contract administration, and grant management.
• Capital improvement planning, infrastructure asset management, and project delivery methods.
• Hazard mitigation, emergency management, disaster recovery, and risk management principles.
• New Mexico legislative and governmental processes affecting public infrastructure and flood control programs.

Skill in :

• Planning, directing, organizing, and evaluating complex departmental operations and capital improvement programs.
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, regulations, policies, engineering standards, and technical guidance.
• Reviewing engineering plans, technical reports, hydraulic analyses, drainage studies, and construction documents.
• Developing, administering, and monitoring departmental budgets, grants, contracts, and capital projects.
• Securing, administering, and reporting on state and federal grant funding.
• Negotiating contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and property acquisitions.
• Leading, supervising, coaching, mentoring, and evaluating professional, technical, and administrative staff.
• Preparing clear, accurate, and comprehensive reports, presentations, recommendations, and technical correspondence.
• Facilitating public meetings and collaborating with elected officials, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, developers, and community stakeholders.
• Using computer software and technology applicable to engineering, mapping, project management, budgeting, and office administration.

Ability to :

• Analyze complex technical, financial, operational, and regulatory information and make sound, well-supported decisions.
• Interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and engineering standards.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Present technical information, recommendations, and policy matters to elected officials, boards, commissions, senior leadership, and the public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, public officials, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, developers, and community stakeholders.
• Manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines while maintaining organizational effectiveness.
• Exercise sound judgment, initiative, discretion, and independent decision-making while recognizing matters requiring executive direction.
• Respond effectively to emergency situations and make timely decisions under pressure.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and customer service.
• Balance competing operational priorities and financial resources while maintaining regulatory compliance and achieving organizational objectives.

Compensation Range

$154,000.00 - $165,000.00

Doña Ana County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to abide by all federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of a person's race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, serious medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, spousal affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other unlawful criteria, except where a reasonable Bona Fide Occupational Qualification exists.

Doña Ana County will make reasonable accommodation(s) for the known physical or mental limitations of an applicant with a disability, upon request, unless the accommodation(s) would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the County. Please see http://www.donaanacounty.org/ada/ for our Public Notice and to get the Testing/Interview Accommodation Request Form or call 575-647-7210 for assistance.