Floodplain Section Manager

Work Location: 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida, 34205

Work Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Manages the Floodplain Management Section of the Manatee County Development Services Department. Plans and directs floodplain management processes. Reviews and recommends work programs. Updates pertinent policies and procedures. Assigns work and delegates responsibilities to staff.

*NOTE: This position has been designed by the Manatee County Commission as serving at the will and pleasure of the County Administrator. Employees so designated may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Working Conditions

Typical indoor office environment. Sitting for long periods of time, working on computer. Lifting equipment or supplies up to 25 pounds alone and up to 50 pounds with assistance. Position requires visual acuity and depth perception, as well as ability to hear and identify sounds. Occasional high stress situations that may involve angry or frustrated citizens. Periodically required to work other than normal business hours.

Essential Functions

These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

Manages overall operations of the Floodplain Management Section of the Building Division within the Development Services Department. Oversees the application of regulations, policies, and procedures, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Community Rating System (CRS) Program, planning, permitting, and inspection processes, for the Floodplain Management Program.

Oversees the County's FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) for flood insurance discounts. Ensures the County meets all responsibilities necessary to maintain and improve the County’s classification and flood insurance discount in the program.

Reviews site plans to determine Special Flood Hazard Area delineations.

Reviews building permit applications for compliance with the Manatee County Floodplain Ordinance and FEMA regulations, including determination of substantial improvement or damage.

Processes Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) and Conditional Letter of Map Revisions (CLOMR). Works with GIS staff to update FEMA maps.

Maintains elevation certifications, flood insurance rate maps, and studies as required.

Responds to inquiries from the public regarding FEMA and NFIP regulations. Investigates complaints from the public about FEMA or NFIP violations. Organizes and coordinates the results of investigations and field inspections for possible legal proceedings and/or code analysis for professional review.

Provides assistance in mediating complaints, as directed by the Building Official. Appears as a witness at proceedings involving floodplain violations.

Sets goals and objectives for team members for achievement of operational results. Assigns work and delegates responsibilities to staff and monitors progress to ensure goals are met and high-quality customer service is maintained. Hires, trains, coaches, appraises, and rewards assigned staff. Responds appropriately to employee complaints and issues. Cultivates strong working relationships and builds trust among team members.

Reviews and recommends new methods and procedures to make daily operations more efficient. Performs considerable short-term and long-term planning, scheduling, and coordinating within area of responsibility. Interprets and implements management policies for area of responsibility.

Reviews, edits, and updates section policies, rules, and procedures, including the Floodplain Ordinance and Land Development Code as necessary.

Represents the department and Manatee County at meetings, conferences, etc. Makes public presentations as required.

Promotes public awareness of the Floodplain Management Program through speaking engagements, advertising, and other programs.

Prepares and presents a wide variety of information about the CRS Program, FEMA, NFIP, and Floodplain ordinance to the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, and Code Enforcement Special Magistrate, including changes, violations, and updates. 

Creates a variety of scheduled and ad hoc reports for management use.

Responsible for regulatory compliance to ensure that all work is completed in accordance with applicable laws and government regulations.

Maintains knowledge and understanding of current best practices, trends, laws, and issues affecting area of expertise. Upon approval, attends educational events that will increase professional knowledge and be otherwise beneficial to the County.

Performs other related work (including weather and other extreme emergency duties) as required. 

Bachelor’s degree in Building Construction, Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field.

Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in the building construction field, such as with a building department or other regulatory agency or as a contractor. Three (3) or more years in a business environment required. 

Certification as a Floodplain Manager by the Association of State Floodplain Managers for a minimum of two years required. 

Valid driver license required, with valid Florida driver license required within 30 days of hire.

A comparable combination of education, training, and work experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

Previous management or supervisory experience desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Able to prioritize tasks, deal effectively with competing and changing priorities, and meet deadlines. Accurate, detail-oriented, and organized. Able to resolve difficult situations and problems.

Good knowledge and understanding of FEMA, NFIP, and CRS programs.

Good knowledge and understanding of FEMA regulations and guidelines for flood mitigation grant work and processes.

Good knowledge and understanding of Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) and Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) procedures and requirements.

Good knowledge and understanding of the methods, materials, and techniques involved in the construction, repair, and alteration of flood hazard structures.

Able to read, analyze, and interpret complex building construction job plans and specifications.

Good knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance necessary to successfully perform job duties, including Florida Statues, FEMA and NFIP regulations, and local resolutions and ordinances relating to floodplain management permit requirements and inspection procedures.

Good knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties, including construction database systems and 
Geographic Information System (GIS).

Good written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills, including public presentation skills, in order to interact professionally and effectively with staff, management, elected officials, contractors, and other stakeholders. Able to communicate policies, practices, and procedures for clarity and understanding.

Salary : $33 - $51