Natural Resource Planner​/Floodplain Administrator

Are you looking for an opportunity to help shape responsible growth while protecting what matters most in the community?

The City is seeking a knowledgeable and forward-thinking professional to lead permitting, compliance, and resource protection efforts tied to land development and environmental regulations. This role plays a critical part in safeguarding our community by ensuring compliance with floodplain management standards under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and advancing initiatives that protect natural resources.

Serving as the City’s Floodplain Administrator, this position carries delegated authority under the Land Development Code (LDC) and is instrumental in guiding sustainable development, regulatory compliance, and long-term environmental resilience.

Posting will remain open until filled with first application review taking place 2 weeks from posting date

• Coordinates floodplain management activities by maintaining records, reading and interpreting maps, reviewing permit applications, collaborating with emergency management and resilience partners and floodplain managers in nearby jurisdictions, interpreting LDC requirements related to floodplain management, updating floodplain management standards based on best practices and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) recommendations, and ensuring compliance with NFIP requirements.
• Provides formal determinations on the applicability of floodplain management regulations and defends such determinations in quasi-judicial hearings and litigation.
• Provides technical guidance on flood hazard mitigation and resilience strategies.
• Manages Community Rating System (CRS) activities should the City attain a CRS designation in the future.
• Assists in the development and implementation of the City’s Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) plan.
• Develops and implements policies and regulations for resource and environmental protection, including wetlands, riparian buffers, and sensitive habitats.
• Reviews building and development permits for compliance with floodplain and natural resource protection requirements.
• Reviews building and development permits for compliance with zoning and land development regulations as needed.
• Coordinates with local, state, and federal agencies on review of development permits for compliance with city environmental regulations, including but not limited to Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) major and minor permits.
• Advises on legislative changes impacting resource protection and land development.
• Coordinates and participates in substantial damage assessment of the regulated floodplain after emergency events.
• Provides education and outreach on floodplain and resource protection requirements.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

• Master’s degree in environmental science, urban and regional planning, public administration, civil engineering, or a closely related field and three years of related experience in planning, zoning or environmental compliance, or a bachelor’s degree in one of the above-listed fields and a minimum of five years of related experience.
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) credential required
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification or Certified Zoning Official (North Carolina) preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.

• Federal and state environmental regulations, including but not limited to FEMA NFIP and North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA).
• Floodplain management and natural resource protection best practices.
• Land use and zoning regulations related to environmental protection.
• Computer programs and applications, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, web-based applications, and geographic information systems (GIS).

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public presentation skills, with sensitivity to the information needs of stakeholders and audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, other departments, elected officials, media, and public.
• Effective team building and leadership skills,…