The San Juan Bay Estuary Program (Estuario) is seeking a service provider with a proven and successful track record in the development of FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plans in a multijurisdictional context to advise in the development of the Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for the San Juan Metropolitan region in Puerto Rico.
The Hazard Mitigation Specialist offers strategic and technical direction in the development of the Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The ideal candidate is an expert in collaborating with stakeholders to assist in the risk evaluation processes, planning, design and implementation of highly-successful and cohesive mitigation strategies to break the cycle of disaster including natural resources and infrastructure protection and restoration. The goal is to create a comprehensive document that integrates the hazard mitigation plans for the municipalities of Bayamón, Canóvanas, Cataño, Guaynabo, Loíza, San Juan, Toa Baja, and Trujillo Alto, to maximize the impact of mitigation measures and recovery funds.
The Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan will help the region coordinate ongoing and future efforts across the watershed, state and federal agencies to address extreme vulnerability to natural and manmade risks inherent to the highly urbanized setting of the region. Once complete, the plan will be submitted to FEMA for approval to qualify for non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects.
The Plan will work in concert with other Estuario initiatives, such as the Green Infrastructure Master Plan for Stormwater Management and the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Project. The development of the Watershed-based Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan is being funded through the US EPA’s State Revolving Fund.
The Hazard Mitigation Specialist will be expected to oversee the development of the Hazard Mitigation Plan until adoption through three main components: an analysis of current data and documentation, identification of information gaps necessary to perform the risk assessment, and the development of the final plan.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee the development of a Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan in the San Juan metropolitan region that:
- Incorporates a regional perspective, connecting upstream and downstream communities, considering regional land use practices, municipal and state public policy and common risks.
- Recommends and derives mitigation strategies stemming from:
- The evaluation of regional natural and manmade risks obtained from the eight (8) local Hazard Mitigation Plans potentiating synergies between these stakeholder’s mitigation strategies beyond their territorial/political boundaries, identifying integration potential as well as gaps and opportunities.
- Estuario’s georeferenced database including information related to community assets, risks and capabilities obtained from a previous public outreach phase.
- The evaluation of risks from additional studies including those related to manmade risks such as (i.e. Hydrologic/Hydraulic Studies (dam rupture), Substandard structures, Impact radius technological accidents, Sociodemographic (employment, food insecurity, health insurance) and other sources for climate change potential or others deemed advisable by other experts (Scientific Technical Advisory Committee) involved in the planning phase.
- Input from Scientific and Technical Advisory and Steering Committees to decide on mitigation and adaptation strategies through the implementation of a comprehensive participatory process.
- Includes an economic analysis to estimate potential dollar losses related to risks considered in the Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan in accordance with 44 CFR 201.6 (c) (2) (ii) (B) and FEMA requirements.
- Includes mitigation and adaptation strategies that thoroughly understand and use the estuary’s ecosystem health and integrity as defense against risks such as erosion, landslides, extreme heat, flooding and food insecurity and climate change to ultimately safeguard property, health and life.
- Clearly defines how municipalities may integrate proposed capital improvement projects into their own CIP and adaptability plans, and collaborate in implementing mitigation measures as an asset protection strategy.
- Identifies and provides access to financial and technical resources available to municipalities to achieve adequate hazard mitigation (i.e. FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, CDBG-MIT Program, etc.)
The Hazard Mitigation Specialist is expected to:
- Prepare and present reports to track the progress of the development of the Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
- Manage efforts, technical studies and implementation aspects of the Plan and work to continually shape and revise the document until its submission for FEMA approval.
- Develop strong collaborative relations with agencies to effectively evaluate and address public policy issues, capability building opportunities at the governmental stakeholder’s level.
- Serve on and lead various planning and design teams working on the development of mitigation strategies/capital improvement projects in Estuario’s priority areas, as established in the San Juan Bay Estuary Program Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan.
- Proactively represent Estuario’s interests and vision for reducing extreme vulnerability through long term planning, adaptability, and community resilience on identified priority/opportunity sites, restoration, mitigation and reconstruction plans.
- Translates all collected information into an integrated, comprehensive, multijurisdictional hazard mitigation plan ready to be approved by FEMA.
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Master’s degree in Planning, Urban Design, Urban/Environmental Planning, Land use/public policy planning, Environmental Sciences, Engineering or related field or equivalent.
EXPERIENCE
- Ten (10) years of professional experience in planning, urban design, engineering, environmental sciences, or a related field which has included exposure to the practices and procedures related to developing a comprehensive hazard mitigation plan.
- Proven experience in the development of Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation plans.
- Significant experience including diverse communities and stakeholders and leading them step-by-step through the hazard mitigation planning process.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Well-versed in innovative storm water management, including Grey-Blue-Green Infrastructure integration.
- Functional experience in designing storm water best management practices.
- Experience interpreting and evaluating land use plans and public policy.
- Experience in asset management and adaptability programs.
- Communication and capacity-building at different levels.
- Experience designing and implementing projects in an urban setting with multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong technical and graphic skills on standard design, planning, and presentation software platforms, for example ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Sketch Up, Rhino, the Adobe Suite, and Microsoft One Suite.
- Good negotiator and problem solver, with experience in a fast-paced work environment.
- Strong oral, written, and graphic communication skills.
- Ability to collect, compile, analyze, and evaluate a complex set of inputs and present the findings and conclusions clearly and effectively.
- Ability to work in a collaborative, team-based environment.
- Ability to prioritize time efficiently, work independently and manage competing priorities.
OTHER
- Provide their own personal computer and transportation.
- Certified MBE/WBE (minority and women-owned business enterprise) and other certified minorities and small businesses are encouraged to apply.
COMPENSATION
Commensurate with experience.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates please submit a cover letter and resume/CV by email no later than September 19, 2022: [email protected]. The email and cover letter must be directed to Brenda Torres, Executive Director, and must specify in the subject the title of the position, «Hazard Mitigation Specialist».
Source of funding: State Revolving Fund Grant C-72-250-04
ABOUT ESTUARIO
The San Juan Bay Estuary Program (Estuario) is a private non-profit organization that designs, implements, and provides restorative maintenance in order to improve the water quality and ecosystems within its eight municipalities. Estuario’s mission is to restore and conserve the water quality in the Estuario de la Bahía de San Juan ecosystem as a sustainable hub of social and economic development.
Estuario is the only tropical estuary in the National Estuary Program, providing not only environmental and resiliency programs, but also educational and recreational activities that support thriving communities.
