Position Description
About Harris County Flood Control District:
The Flood Control District has the mission to reduce the risk of flooding in Harris County, the third most populated county in the United States, with a population in excess of 4.7 million, including the City of Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city. The Flood Control District has jurisdiction over the primary stormwater facilities in the county, which consist of approximately 1,500 channels totaling nearly 2,500 miles in length, as well as more than 60 regional stormwater detention basins, totaling more than 10,000 acres and several wetlands mitigation banks including Greens bayou.
What you will do at Harris County Flood Control District:
The Harris County Flood Control District is seeking a qualified candidate for the role of Environmental Planner.
Responsible for coordinating environmental investigations, assessments, agency consultations, and other compliance activities for all the District's capital improvement and maintenance projects that are subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Essential Functions and Duties:- Manage environmental tasks and attend project meetings as requested by the Planning, Engineering, Construction, or Infrastructure divisions.
- Support project managers in overseeing the successful planning and execution of federally funded projects by managing environmental scope and consultants, providing environmental compliance recommendations, updating project schedules, and assisting with planning, preliminary engineering, and design-phase alternatives analysis.
- Advise project managers, Risk Management, Property Acquisitions, and Project Delivery teams in identifying project risks, choice-limiting actions, changes in regulatory requirements, and status updates for designated projects and funding programs.
- Aid the Grants Management team in project selection, grant applications, requests for information (RFIs), and technical assistance requests.
- Prepare and coordinate public and tribal notices on behalf of federal partners and support Communications in responding to public information requests and comments.
- Coordinate with consultants performing environmental support tasks through administrative functions, which include requesting, reviewing, and approving proposals and bids.
- Provide quality control and quality assurance of deliverables received from consultants and contractors.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws, rules, and regulations with an emphasis on NEPA.
- Coordinate with other District departmental staff, non-profit organizations, federal, state, and local governments to facilitate joint use projects within the District's facilities.
- Conduct environmental research and investigations, as required, and track projects in the District's applicable databases.
- Coordinate with the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) department to add and update environmental mapping layers.
- Complete construction phase field assignments and reporting tasks, as needed.
- Perform other duties that may be added or changed as the course and scope of the job directs.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in one of the Natural or Earth Sciences, Environmental Planning, Urban Planning, or a related field from an accredited college or university
Experience:- Experience in the direct management of environmental projects that require compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
- Experience using ArcGIS or similar digital mapping software.
Licensure:- Valid Class "C" Texas Driver’s License
Knowledge Skills, and Abilities:- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Can work independently with limited supervision
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and assignments
- Familiar with federal, state, and local environmental rules and regulations with demonstrated proficiency in National NEPA compliance
- Ability to adapt rapidly to changing regulatory regimes and requirements
- Adept at mastering new concepts quickly
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
- Strong skills using digital photo management software
- Familiarity using Adobe Acrobat and Bluebeam, with emphasis on electronic editing tools
- Strong skills using digital photo management software
- Can work well with the public, interest groups, government agency personnel, and external organizations
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Experience:
- Experience working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) preferred
General Information
Position Type, Salary:
Location:
Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- Frequent standing and walking; prolonged sitting for extended periods of time.
- Frequent sorting, filing, shelving, and handling of documents, books, files, file drawers and related materials and equipment required for clerical operations.
- Frequent stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items up to 11 pounds and occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.
- Occasional ascending/descending stairs.
- Occasional driving of a vehicle with automatic controls or four-wheel drive.
- Requires extensive use of a video display terminal (computer monitor).
- Work is generally performed indoors in a normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, air conditions and noise levels.
- When at field locations, may be exposed to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture, air pollution, wind and dust, wildlife and flying/walking insects, vibration and/or noise in excess of 85 decibels. Insects, aquatic bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, and vibration or noise in excess of 85 decibels.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
