Buncombe County's Planning Department is hiring for an Environmental Planner to work on our Floodplain Development Program. This position will work on emergency-related Helene flood permitting, regular flood permitting, technical plan review, code enforcement, and Helene-related substantial damage assessment follow-up. This position will work closely with other staff in our Engineering and Environmental Services Division with extensive opportunities for cross-training. This position is working on unique projects such as our Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and is a great opportunity for anyone who is specifically interested in flood-related planning work!

The selected Planner may be required to visit job sites across Buncombe County in a County-provided vehicle. These site visits may occur up to 5 days per week depending on inspection needs, but typically visits job sites 2 to 3 days per week. When visiting these job sites, the Planner will have to walk across uneven terrain and through construction zones.

This position will report to our Floodplain Administrator and works with various other employees in our 30-person Planning Department and with other County Departments. This position will be in-office at 35 Woodfin Street in downtown Asheville. This position works a Monday - Friday schedule with work hours between 8AM and 5PM. Free parking is provided for all County employees next door in our parking deck at 164 College Street.

This position is closing on April 13th and we hope to host interviews the week of April 21st, with a new hire starting in mid-May.

Purpose of the position:

The primary purpose of this position is to work within one or more planning specialties (housing, economic development, land use, transportation, environmental and legal aspects) and to perform duties and responsibilities for specific programs related to planning and development within the County’s Planning Department, with a primary focus on environmental permitting programs administered by Engineering and Environmental Services Division.  This position will support the Floodplain Development Program and may assist other Engineering and Environmental Services Division Programs as capacity allows.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, planning, or a related field, and two (2) years of experience in environmental planning, floodplain development permitting, stormwater, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Associate’s degree in environmental science, engineering, or planning, and two (2) years of direct experience as noted below will be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.
 

Essential Functions of the position:

• Complete technical review and approval of floodplain development permits ensuring compliance with the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and NFIP Program.

• Assist in Helene-related recovery efforts for flood permitting, substantial damage determinations, and code enforcement.

• Provide assistance to the general public by communicating information relative to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and NFIP Program (and other ordinances implemented by the Engineering and Environmental Services Division) and addressing inquiries and complaints, which may involve visiting and evaluating sites, contacting and assisting property owners in gaining compliance, and enforcing legal requirements of non-compliant locations.

• Conduct field inspections of construction and development projects to ensure adherence to Floodplain Development permitted plans and design specifications pertaining to County ordinances enforced by the Engineering and Environmental Services Division.

• Assist in the administration of the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. May assist other ordinances enforced by the Engineering and Environmental Services Division, including Stormwater Management, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control, and Water Supply Watershed Ordinances, as needed.

• Assist with updating County ordinances and environmental permitting programs to advance County strategic and long-range goals, including participation in the Community Rating System, and comply with legislative requirements.

• Complete technical review of stormwater, erosion control, and water supply watershed permits for residential and commercial developments as needed.

• Provide technical support to other County departments and to local officials with incorporated municipalities within which the County provides permitting services.

• Maintain records and prepare periodic and special reports; prepare charts, maps, graphs, and other illustrative material for presentation to elected officials, appointed boards, community groups, and concerned citizens.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ability to work with complex projects involving work in the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA’s) as identified on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM’s).

• Knowledge of the applicable provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) related to floodplain management.

• Ability to assist with flood damage inspections and reporting immediately following a flood event or other natural disaster, including conducting substantial damage determinations.

• Skills in effective time management, organization, strong customer service and the ability to exercise tact when necessary.

• Ability to interface with Federal, State and local agencies as well as design professionals, project managers, contractors and others associated with environmental and regulatory permitting needs.

• Ability to research, organize, and conduct complex planning and studies to formulate substantive recommendations based on such studies.

• Knowledge of state and local ordinances as they relate to floodplain management, stormwater runoff controls, water quality, watershed protection, and riparian buffers.

• Knowledge of the practices, methods and equipment applied in building construction, landscaping, grading and related construction activities;

• Knowledge of governmental programs, laws, grants, and services pertinent to floodplain management, stormwater management, erosion control, and water quality.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to floodplain management, stormwater management, and erosion control.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of hydrology, hydraulics, water quality, erosion and sedimentation control and related stormwater structures and devices; preferred.

• Knowledge of management techniques as applied to local government administration. 

• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and drawings.

• Ability to work with GIS and other similar mapping software; Proficiency in computer programs and design software (i.e. Microsoft Office suite)

• Ability to communicate and work effectively with engineers, architects, contractors, property owners, and state and local agencies.

• Ability to maintain accurate and complete records.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

• Skill in conflict resolution and tact.

• Ability to work with the public and articulate environmental permitting and planning issues and requirements to a wide variety of audiences.

• Operate and maintain County vehicle.

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition, Buncombe County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.