Floodplain Program Planner

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

State Parks admission

Discounts on overnight stays

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is seeking a detail‑oriented Floodplain Program Planner to support local floodplain management programs and liaison with FEMA and local communities. Responsibilities include program reviews, responding to officials and citizens, and assisting in flood hazard mitigation planning.

The role requires coordination, technical assistance, and knowledge of NFIP, with a focus on regional flood resilience and compliance with state and federal

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, community groups, and partner organizations.
• Progressive experience applying planning principles with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Experience researching, interpreting, and clearly communicating complex legal, regulatory, and technical information.
• Experience coordinating, implementing, and monitoring programs or projects.
• Experience interpreting laws, regulations, and policies related to NFIP.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of Floodplain Management Programs within the Shenandoah region.
• Coordinating floodplain management activities with localities to meet mandates.
• Providing grant support for the CFPF including grant reviews, training, reporting.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Planning principles

Regulatory interpretation

Program coordination

NFIP knowledge

Education

Certified Floodplain Manager preferred

Job description

Title: Floodplain Program Planner

State Role Title:Prog Admin Specialist II

Hiring Range: $70,000 - $80,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location:Main Street Centre

Agency Website:https://www.dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, providing access for outdoor recreation, strengthening communities’ flood resilience, and protecting what Virginians care about: clean water, parks, natural habitat, and open spaces. Serving a diverse commonwealth rich in nature and culture, DCR touches all Virginians’ lives. DCR offers paid leave; a minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law enforcement positions); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer. DCR’s Mission is to conserve the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources of the Commonwealth. We invite you to learn more about DCR’s efforts to CONSERVE.

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is seeking a detail‑oriented, organized, and analytical professional to serve as a Floodplain Program Planner in the Division of Dam Safety and Floodplain Management. This position provides technical assistance to local governments in the development, update, and implementation of their local floodplain management programs. In addition, this position supports DCR in fulfilling the responsibilities as mandated in Chapter 6 of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia, serves as a liaison between FEMA, local communities, and state agencies, and implements floodplain management initiatives in accordance with program and Division goals to ensure that state and federal mandates and local floodplain needs are met. This includes conducting local program reviews, providing prompt and accurate responses to officials and citizens, assisting the Virginia Department of Emergency Management in flood hazard mitigation planning efforts and disaster responses, and tracking program accomplishments.

The position is responsible for:

• Oversight of Floodplain Management Programs within the Shenandoah region
  • Coordinating floodplain management activities with localities to ensure that state and federal mandates and local floodplain program needs are met.
  • Providing grant support for the CFPF including grant reviews, training, reporting and other activities as necessary.

• Local Program Planning and Technical Assistance for Assigned Communities
  • Providing planning and technical assistance to local officials and citizens on floodplain issues.
  • Conducting Community Assistance Visits (CAVs) and Community Assistance Contacts (CACs) according to the CAP-SSSE grant agreement and FEMA Region III standards.
  • Reviewing local ordinances and enforcement methods and recommend improvements to local floodplain ordinances as a result of map updates, CAVs/CACs, or other contact with communities within established timeframes.
  • Participating in local RiskMap-related public meetings and open houses.

• Facilitation of Outreach, Training, Workgroup participation, and Regional Resilience Support
  • Managing flood-related training, seminars, and presentations.
  • Supporting programmatic goal of increasing flood insurance saturation.
  • Participating in workgroups related to special interest and regional issues.
  • Encouraging and support resilience planning efforts throughout regional territory.

• Assistance During Flood Response and Recovery to Flood Disasters
  • Providing technical and planning assistance to VDEM and FEMA, as assigned, at the JFO during the response and recovery work for a federally or state declared flooding disaster related to floodplain management, NFIP, flood hazard identification and flood mapping.
  • Supporting DCR operations by staffing the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as needed. Obtains and maintains credentialing necessary to allow access to the EOC.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, community groups, and partner organizations.
• Progressive experience applying planning principles with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Experience researching, interpreting, and clearly communicating complex legal, regulatory, and technical information.
• Experience coordinating, implementing, and monitoring programs or projects.
• Experience interpreting laws, regulations, and policies related to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Additional Considerations

• Certified Floodplain Manager preferred; or become a CFM within a year of hire.

Employee benefits include:

• Free parking and admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• Overnight stay discounts for DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service):
  • Free camping outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day season for sites accommodating up to six people.
    • Free Sunday–Thursday camping (excluding the night before holidays) during the Memorial Day–Labor Day period.
    • 50% off cabins (up to three bedrooms) outside the Memorial Day–Labor Day season for up to 14 nights. Two‑night minimum required. Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one‑night yurt stays receive a 25% discount.

Join us and make Virginia’s great outdoors part of your life — it’s one of the many ways we show our appreciation for the people who make DCR’s mission possible!

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.