Project Manager – Flood Risk Management

Role Type: Community Liaison, Project Management, Project Delivery
Minimum Salary: $90,000

About the job:

Do you want to make a real difference in reducing flood risks to people and communities? We’re looking for an experienced, passionate, and motivated project manager who will serve communities participating in Headwaters Economics’ FloodWise Community Assistance program. This program delivers flood risk solutions to rural and underserved communities in the West and Midwest regions.

This position will manage and coordinate our FloodWise Community Assistance program, working closely with Headwaters Economics’ team of researchers, data engineers, and communications experts, in addition to external consultants. You’ll help recruit and onboard new communities and work closely with local government officials and agency partners. You’ll scope potential flood risk-reduction projects, strategies, and solutions for FloodWise communities; assemble and coordinate project teams; and assist communities in launching recommended projects. You’ll represent Headwaters Economics and FloodWise to external audiences, sharing lessons and strategies as well as promoting Headwaters Economics’ programs. You’ll collaborate closely with your colleagues at Headwaters Economics to help transfer on-the-ground lessons to practical, applied research and policy.

The team:

Headwaters Economics is an independent, nonprofit research group that works to improve community development and land management decisions. We inform community decision-making and identify practical solutions by making complex data understandable, beautiful, and interactive. We help develop solutions that communities and policymakers use to address climate vulnerabilities, socioeconomic inequities, challenges facing rural communities, and threats to land and water. We blend innovative, credible research with extensive on-the-ground experience. We support communities in adapting to wildfire, flood, and other climate-driven disasters through technical assistance programs. Learn more at https://headwaterseconomics.org/.

Within Headwaters Economics, our FloodWise team provides free technical assistance to help communities reduce flood risk through project planning, funding strategies, capacity building, compelling communications, and applied research. Learn more at https://floodwise.headwaterseconomics.org/.

Responsibilities:

Manage the FloodWise Community Assistance Program (30%)

• Improve and expand upon the current suite of services offered by FloodWise.
• Help recruit and onboard new communities into our programs.
• Manage program operations and administration, including tracking activities and deliverables, managing budgets, overseeing consultants, and reporting on program outcomes.
• Help create general program materials, such as overview documents, presentations, and content for websites.

Provide Direct Community Assistance (40%)

• Develop and deliver flood risk-reduction products to community partners. Deliverables may include communication products, grant writing assistance, mitigation project planning, and customized research developed by the FloodWise team.
• Engage and interface daily with partners through in-person meetings, phone calls, video calls, and emails. Coordinate with local government staff and elected officials, engineers, state and federal agencies, tribal organizations, nonprofit groups, and other key stakeholders.
• Translate technical information, including engineering standards and floodplain regulations, for the partners listed above.
• Plan and coordinate site visits including agenda development, partner meetings, presentations, task follow-up, and logistics.
• Deploy and supervise consultants such as engineers, planners, and landscape architects to meet community needs.

Represent FloodWise (10%)

• Communicate and collaborate regularly with partners beyond individual communities, including federal and state agencies, academic contacts, and nonprofits.
• Give presentations at professional conferences, state agency meetings, state and regional planning meetings, etc.

Contribute to Headwaters Economics’ Mission and Culture (20%)

• Support colleagues at Headwaters Economics by participating in team meetings, contributing to organizational strategy and communications, helping develop proposal ideas.
• Help identify research products that address community needs.

Experience/skills required:

We are looking for individuals with 10 or more years of relevant experience who can demonstrate:

• Proven record managing projects for complex, multi-partner programs with budgets over $500k.
• Technical expertise in flood mitigation and extensive knowledge of floodplain management, including regulatory standards, nature-based solutions, flood insurance, engineering standards, and funding strategies.
• Ability to develop and maintain close, productive relationships with internal and external partners.
• Experience working with local governments, federal agencies, and state agencies.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Exceptional skill in verbal communication and confidence delivering presentations to public and professional audiences.
• Writing skills for community briefings, grant applications and reports, and proposals.
• Desire and enthusiasm for taking initiative, solving problems, and developing strategies.
• A degree in planning, engineering, emergency management, public administration, natural resources, or related field.
• Experience adapting to the latest technologies and software.
• Willingness to travel (approximately monthly) to in-person meetings and site visits with community partners when conditions permit.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Minimum salary is $90,000 with an upper range depending on experience.
• Generous benefits package includes health/dental/vision insurance, matched retirement up to 3% of salary, health/dependent care savings accounts, progressive family medical leave policy, and generous paid time off.
• Scheduling flexibility and healthy work/life balance.
• Inspiring work that benefits people and the environment.
• Energetic team with a strong sense of shared purpose and positive culture.
• Learning opportunities and professional growth (resources, training, conferences, etc.).

Location:

Headwaters Economics has offices in Bozeman and Helena, Montana.

To Apply:

We are accepting applications until the position is filled.

Please contact us:

Patty Hernandez, Executive Director | 406-599-7425
Kelly Pohl, Associate Director | 406- 599-7841
Calls encouraged.

Headwaters Economics is an Equal Opportunity Employer.