Entry Level Resilience Planner

Dewberry is seeking an Entry Level Resilience Planner to join our multi-disciplinary and action-oriented team in our Richmond, VA office. This position will support the Resilience Solutions Group at the intersection of planning, policy, and technical analysis in hazard mitigation, emergency management, and climate change adaptation. Related areas of technical focus for this position include but are not limited to community planning, policy analysis, vulnerability assessment, hazard mitigation, natural resource management, and research and planning related to Federal agencies (e.g., FEMA, USACE, and NOAA), state agencies, and local communities.

Dewberry’s Resilience Solutions team is an innovative group that thrives on tackling the most intriguing resilience challenges across our nation. Our mission is to create safer and better communities for everyone to live in. We achieve this by embodying “Dewberry at Work” values and applying our expertise in engineering, planning, GIS, earth sciences, data analytics, and other technical disciplines. Our team assists federal, state, and local clients throughout the nation in comprehending their natural hazard risks. With our guidance, they can make informed decisions to reduce risk and increase resilience.

Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. What sets us apart from our competitors is our people. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a new graduate, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with the best and brightest and work on innovative and complex projects at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to excellence stems from our personal integrity and from other defining attributes, which we call “Dewberry at Work,” that have inspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century.

• Support preparing plans, studies, reports, guides, and other technical documents pertaining to climate resilience, hazard mitigation, and floodplain management.
• Support the exploration and execution of programmatic improvements to increase climate resilience and hazard mitigation within federal, state, and local government agencies.
• Support public outreach for community resilience projects and client meetings, both virtual and in-person. Some in-person meetings may necessitate multi-day trips.
• Support the execution of technical studies and analytical processes relating to resilience strategy and plan development.
• Employ a mix of written, visual, and verbal communication techniques to craft compelling narratives and explain complex technical topics to various audiences.
• Apply principles of social equity and environmental justice to technical and strategic work.
• Work on a diverse array of related projects within the Resilience Solutions Group to acquire supplementary technical and programmatic knowledge/skills.

Required Skills & Required Experience 

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Planning, Policy Analysis, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or another related field.
• Demonstrated professional or related experience (e.g., internship, collegiate projects/capstone on resilience-focused planning or analysis work). 0-2 years of related professional experience. Preferred BS/BA with 1-2 years’ experience or Master’s with 0-1 years' experience.
• Ability to effectively communicate, orally and in written and visual formats, technical information related to natural hazards and climate resilience in projects, presentations, and papers.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ESRI products with examples of practical application of ArcGIS.
• Comfort working with geospatial and quantitative data: managing and cleaning datasets, conducting analyses, and presenting results.
• Demonstrated visual communication skills (e.g., InDesign, Canva, Powerpoint).
• Ability to exercise initiative, resourcefulness, and tact in obtaining and analyzing information related to resilience planning.
• Ability to perform an expanded array of tasks assigned by senior-level staff, designed to broaden experience and familiarization with methods, practices, and programs applicable to the department.
• Well-developed time management skills, especially the ability to complete high-quality, detail-oriented deliverables on tight timelines amid competing deadlines within a diverse work group.
• Self-motivation and ability to function both independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to get along with coworkers and superiors and work well as part of a team.

 Desired Skills

• Experience researching, planning, and developing operational and tactical plans, policies, procedures, and guidance to promote resilience and mitigation.
• Knowledge of resilience-related governmental programs, policies, regulations, and associated data such as FEMA NFIP, Community Rating System, FEMA RiskMAP, grants, and/or state and local floodplain management programs.
• Knowledge and ability to use the following computer applications: Tableau, Power BI, ArcGIS Online, Adobe InDesign, and other data processing, visualization, and design tools.
• Knowledge of state-level resilience programs including but not limited to Virginia’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) and Resilient Florida.
• Any relevant certifications, trainings, or credentials.
• Consulting experience.

Work Environment

• Work environment responsibilities may occasionally require an adjusted work schedule, overtime, and evening/weekend hours in order to meet deadlines.
• Occasionally, will be required to lift/carry up to 25 lbs.
• Computers, telephones, copiers, and printers are all used to perform tasks.
• Work is typically performed within an office, although field/site visits may be occasionally required.
• Works under the supervision of higher-level staff. Work is often reviewed for accuracy by senior staff.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Dewberry we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for our employee’s. So if you’re excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the position description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other opportunities.

Must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record and ability to pass a driving record background check.

*At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.

*Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

*Only recipients of an offer of employment from Dewberry, will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry’s background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law.

The projected range for this position is $77,000 - $79,500 annually. Depending upon other factors (i.e., skills, experience, location, market conditions), the range may vary slightly.

As an entry-level hire, you’ll be part of a class of peers with 0-1 year of professional experience. Our entry-level program comes together on a regular basis for professional development events and team building activities led by an advisory team to:

• Form lasting connections with peers in your class.
• Gain a better understanding of career growth and meaningful opportunities to align with your professional goals.
• Expand your knowledge of Dewberry and what we do.