Resiliency Specialist

The City of Wilmington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Description

One City. One team. One mission

Do you enjoy connecting with the community, protecting the environment, and helping neighborhoods prepare for future challenges?

The City of Wilmington is seeking a Resiliency Specialist to strengthen community resilience through education, outreach, and hands-on initiatives that protect our waterways, reduce stormwater impacts, and help residents better understand and manage community risks.

In this community-facing role, you will lead the City's Heal Our Waterways (HOW) program, partnering with residents, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and environmental organizations to improve watershed health, reduce pollution, and promote sustainable stormwater management practices. You will also support community preparedness and risk-reduction initiatives by connecting people with resources, developing educational programs, and translating data and research into meaningful community action.

If you are passionate about environmental stewardship, building community partnerships, and creating practical solutions for a more resilient Wilmington, this is an opportunity to turn that passion into measurable impact.

Typical Tasks

Community Resilience & Preparedness

• Conducts community outreach, presentations, workshops, meetings, preparedness events and educational activities throughout Wilmington.
• Collects and communicates community data and identifies recurring concerns, needs and opportunities that can inform City programs and resilience initiatives.

• Leads and coordinates implementation of the City's Heal Our Waterways (HOW) program.
• Develops and implements community-based strategies to improve watershed health, reduce stormwater pollution and runoff, protect waterways and address flooding and other stormwater-related risks.
• Builds relationships with residents, property owners, neighborhood organizations, schools, businesses, environmental organizations, universities and other community partners to advance HOW program goals.
• Collaboratively develops and coordinates public education and engagement campaigns related to stormwater management, watershed health, water quality, flooding prevention and environmental stewardship.
• Promotes practical stormwater management practices that can be implemented by residents, businesses, institutions and community organizations.
• Coordinates watershed education, restoration, demonstration, retrofit, monitoring and community improvement projects.
• Identifies opportunities to expand the use of stormwater best management practices (BMPs), green infrastructure, nature-based solutions and other approaches that reduce runoff and improve water quality.
• Uses GIS, mapping, field observations, program data and other information to identify areas of need and target community outreach and stormwater resilience efforts.
• Tracks implementation of HOW program activities, BMPs, watershed improvements, community participation and other performance measures.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and prepares reports and recommendations regarding watershed and stormwater initiatives.
• Works with appropriate City departments and external partners to address technical, regulatory, infrastructure and operational issues affecting implementation of community stormwater initiatives.

• Supports implementation of community risk-reduction strategies identified through the City's Community Risk Analysis (CRA) and other risk assessments.
• Connects community members and organizations with appropriate City programs, technical resources, funding opportunities and external assistance.
• Uses community feedback and program data to identify gaps in services, information or resources and recommends improvements.

• Collects and analyzes community, environmental, stormwater, watershed and hazard-related information to identify areas of need and opportunities for intervention.
• Uses GIS and other analytical tools to develop maps and visualizations that support community outreach, areas of focus and public education.
• Maintains accurate records of community engagement, program activities, projects, BMPs, watershed improvements and performance measures.
• Develops dashboards, maps, reports and other tools to plan work, communicate program activities, community needs and outcomes.
• Establishes and monitors performance measures for the Heal Our Waterways program and other assigned resilience initiatives.
• Evaluates community programs and outreach efforts and recommends adjustments based on participation, outcomes, community feedback and emerging needs.
• Prepares reports and presentations for City leadership, advisory boards, funding organizations, regulatory agencies, community partners and the public.
• Monitors relevant Federal, State and local regulations, funding opportunities, research and best practices related to stormwater, watershed management, emergency preparedness, resilience, environmental protection and community risk reduction.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Educatiion and Experience
Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental planning, sustainability, urban and regional planning, geography, emergency management, public administration, natural resources, engineering, community development, communications, education or a related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in community resilience, stormwater management, watershed management, environmental programs, emergency preparedness, hazard mitigation, community engagement, sustainability, GIS/data analysis, grant administration or a related field.
An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may also be considered.

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of experience in areas such as:

• Developing and delivering community outreach, education and engagement programs.
• Experience working directly with residents, neighborhood organizations, community groups, businesses, schools or nonprofit organizations.
• Supporting stormwater management, watershed protection, water quality or environmental education initiatives.
• Coordinating programs and community initiatives involving multiple partners and stakeholders.
• Using GIS, mapping and data visualization tools to support planning, outreach and decision-making.
• Developing, administering and reporting on grants.
• Working in municipal government or collaborating with governmental agencies.

• Knowledge of community resilience, hazard mitigation, stormwater management, watershed protection and environmental risk reduction principles.
• Knowledge of community engagement and public education practices.
• Knowledge of local, State and Federal resources related to resilience, stormwater, flooding, emergency preparedness and environmental protection.
• Ability to translate complex technical, environmental and risk information into clear, practical information for the general public.
• Ability to build trust and productive relationships with residents, community organizations, businesses, governmental agencies and other stakeholders.
• Strong public speaking, presentation, facilitation and written communication skills.
• Strong project coordination and organizational skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple community programs, projects and priorities.
• Ability to collect, analyze and communicate data using GIS and other technology.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives and levels of technical knowledge.
• Ability to identify community needs and develop practical, creative and measurable solutions.
• Ability to coordinate effectively across City departments while maintaining a strong outward-facing, community-centered focus.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends or outside normal business hours to attend community meetings, events, workshops or emergency preparedness activities.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Office Work: Primarily sedentary, involving prolonged sitting, computer use, telephone and office equipment operation, and standard office tasks. Requires visual acuity, hearing, and manual dexterity for reviewing documents, analyzing data, and completing administrative responsibilities.
  
• Field Work: Visits to sites may require standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting or carrying objects up to 10 pounds occasionally. Employees may encounter uneven terrain, traffic, construction areas, and outdoor weather conditions and must use appropriate personal protective equipment.
  
  
  
• General Requirements: The position involves occasional travel to meetings, evening events, or after-hours response. All work is performed in compliance with applicable State and Federal OSHA regulations, including hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and slip, trip, and fall prevention.

Our Core Values:

INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY

Our Mission Statement: Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.

What we offer:

The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance many other insurance options
• Excellent retirement benefits, including a city provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees’ Retirement System
• Employer-paid health & wellness clinic
• Free on-site city gym access
• Paid sick and vacation leave 13 paid holidays per year
• 6-weeks paid parental leave
• Paid volunteer & blood donation leave to give back to our community
• Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on your position
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives
• Tuition assistance benefits

Applicant Status Updates: After the closing date for this position, applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants who meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications will be referred over to the hiring department. All updates regarding an application can be viewed through your applicant portal.