Description
Under the National Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and 35 state and territorial partners implement comprehensive programs to:

• Protect natural resources;
• Manage development in high hazard areas;
• Maintain and improve coastal water quality;
• Provide public access for recreation;
• Redevelop urban waterfronts and ports, and preserve and restore historic, cultural, and aesthetic coastal features;
• Simplify and coordinate governmental decision-making actions; and
• Assure that the public and local governments participate in coastal decision-making.

The Coastal Programs Division within NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management administers the CZMP at the federal level. The Coastal Programs Division is responsible for advancing national coastal management objectives and maintaining and strengthening state and territorial coastal management capabilities. It supports states through financial assistance, mediation, technical services, and participation in priority state, regional, and local forums.

For more information on the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management and the CZMP, please visit www.coastalmanagement.noaa.gov.

Protecting life and property from the effects of coastal hazards is a primary goal of the CZMP. All state CZM programs implement policies to manage the impacts of coastal hazards and to maintain the natural protective features of coastal resources such as beaches, dunes, and wetlands. Also, activities undertaken by state and local CZM programs are integral to building community resilience defined as, “the capacity of a system, community, or society potentially exposed to hazards to adapt, by resisting or changing, in order to reach and maintain an acceptable level of functioning and structure.” These include mapping, modeling, and data distribution; development and administration of state and local regulations, plans, and policies that guide land and other resource use decisions; community education and outreach activities; vulnerability assessments, including social vulnerabilities; and emergency response and community recovery.

Coastal Management and Coastal Hazards Specialist
The Coastal Programs Division is seeking to fill a contract position through JHT, Inc., for a Coastal Management and Coastal Hazards Specialist. The individual selected for the position will support the Coastal Programs Division, NOAA, and state Coastal Zone Management Programs, in the areas of coastal hazards and community resilience.

The contractor will:

• Serve as liaison to one or more state Coastal Management Programs, providing financial and programmatic oversight, technical assistance to the program(s); ensure program(s) are adhering to relevant federal regulations and are implementing state authorities as approved; ensure program(s) are up to date and review proposed changes to program(s); communicate state program issues, successes, challenges, etc. to appropriate forums.
• Maintain regular communication with coastal hazards staff of all states to ensure they have input on and are aware of relevant NOAA activities.
• Collect, compile, analyze, and present data on state and local coastal hazard policies, information gaps, technical assistance needs, etc.; establish and maintain regular communication with state and NOAA coastal hazards and community resilience staff to accomplish this task.
• As member of Coastal Programs Division Hazards Team, participate in various NOAA and other hazard initiatives; provide additional support to Coastal Programs Division Climate Change Team as needed.
• Represent the CZMP, the Coastal Programs Division, and NOAA in a variety of hazards forums; respond regularly to queries for relevant information.
• Assume responsibility for producing and maintaining communications and outreach materials for coastal hazards such as web pages, factsheets, accomplishments reports, and other publications, as appropriate; Prepare briefing materials for a range of audiences.

Desired Knowledge and Experience:
MA or MS and two years professional experience required. Experience and education should be in natural hazards and any one of the following: coastal management; environmental policy; public policy; marine or coastal sciences; or natural resource management.

-Knowledge of the CZMA and other NOAA programs
-Knowledge of natural hazard programs implemented by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies, e.g., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of the Interior, etc.
-Demonstrated experience in coordinating programs across a geographically diverse, partnered network of agencies or organizations.
-Demonstrated experience working as a member of a team.

Skills and Abilities

• Analytic abilities and communication skills necessary to address complex issues, policy applications and relationships that commonly occur in networked, State-Federal partnership programs;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, with an emphasis on the need to tailor material to a range of audiences;
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team in the Coastal Programs Division and across NOAA;
• Ability to network effectively to identify program resources, opportunities and assistance for coastal managers and staff.

Email resumes@jht.com for consideration.

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