Sustainable Communities Planner - Water Management

Job Purpose or Objective(s): Develop community-specific plans, budgets, funding strategies, and implementation tools that improve the long-term operational, financial, and infrastructure sustainability of reservation public water systems and support communities in implementing applicable Water Settlement benefits. You will report to the Sustainable Communities Manager.

Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Primary Tasks:
1. Assess the operational, infrastructure, financial, and technical-assistance needs of reservation public water systems using system data, community input, and available planning studies.
2. Develop community sustainability plans, capital improvement plans, implementation schedules, and multiyear funding strategies that support reliable and financially sustainable water services.
3. You will analyze water-system operating costs, projected demand, system capacity, infrastructure condition, revenue requirements, and funding gaps.
4. Identify appropriate grant, loan, and financing opportunities and coordinate application materials, project budgets, supporting documentation, and submission deadlines.
5. Help communities prioritize water-system projects based on urgency, regulatory requirements, feasibility, available funding, and expected community and quality-of-life benefits.
6. Monitor funded projects, budgets, expenditures, milestones, deliverables, risks, and grant or financing compliance requirements.
7. You will cultivate and maintain working relationships with water-system operators, community and municipal leaders, finance personnel, engineers, project managers, government agencies, and local organizations.
8. Interpret technical and nontechnical information and develop practical planning tools, financial models, templates, reports, and presentations for leadership and community stakeholders.
9. Provide outreach and technical assistance concerning sustainable utility management, infrastructure funding, community development, and applicable Water Settlement benefits.
10. You will maintain community and project-planning data; report progress, funding status, risks, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders; and participate in professional networks and training to remain informed of relevant best practices.
11. Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate Degree and 2 years of relevant experience or;
• 4 years of relevant experience in lieu of education
• Ability to identify data gaps, conduct analyses, and compose comprehensive documents.
• Ability to work autonomously and possess the ability to make sound and independent decisions in a professional environment
• Experience with scientific protocols, scientific reports, public speaking, and gap identification
• Experience with Geographic Information System (GIS) software
• Knowledge of federal and state water law, policies, and regulations
• Experience in urban/city planning, public works, resource assessment and planning, etc.
• Experience in water resource planning, data analysis, and technical report development
• Experience in urban development planning, community development, city planning, public works, resource assessment and planning, etc.

·         Bachelor of Science Degree
·         Ability to interpret data, conduct analyses, and compose comprehensive documents.

·         Experience with scientific protocols, scientific reports, public speaking, and gap identification

·         One (1) year of experience with Geographic Information System (GIS) software

·         Knowledge of federal and state water law, policies, and regulations

·         One (1) year of experience in environmental project management

·         Two (2) years of experience in environmental data analysis, technical reporting development, and presenting.