Coastal Resilience Specialist

Please apply through the Town of Falmouth Employment Opportunities website: https://www.falmouthma.gov/723/EmploymentCurrent-Job-Openings

The Town of Falmouth seeks a highly motivated, experienced professional to serve as our first Coastal Resilience Specialist. The Coastal Resilience Specialist will take the lead in advancing the Town’s efforts to protect our community’s coastal resources and infrastructure and address the current and future impacts of sea level rise and climate change.

Falmouth is a coastal community that enjoys 67.9 miles of shoreline on tidal water with twelve significant harbors and coastal locales, including nine public ocean beaches offering more than 3.4 miles of ocean access. The Select Board has identified the management of our coastal and natural resources and infrastructure as one of its seven strategic priorities, as our waterfront amenities and natural and enhanced coastal resources are the cornerstone of our cultural identity and financial foundation as a tourist destination.

The Town has been actively managing its shoreline for more than twenty-five years and is fortunate to have talented staff and engaged and educated citizens who have laid a strong foundation for this position’s work. Falmouth was one of the first towns to complete the state-funded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program workshop in March 2018, during which coastal flooding, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion were identified as the Town’s top three natural hazards. The Town then completed a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Planning project using data developed for MassDOT’s Massachusetts Coast Flood Risk Model (MC-FRM). Falmouth also established a Coastal Resiliency Action Committee that hosted workshops and public information sessions and prepared a comprehensive final report analyzing coastal risks and assembling data to help guide the Town’s resiliency efforts.

Under the administrative direction of the DPW Director, the Coastal Resilience Specialist will advance these efforts by identifying and coordinating the implementation of new and existing strategies for managing our at-risk coastal resources. Additional essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Oversees consultants and serves as the project manager for coastal projects, including beach nourishment;
• Researches and performs field inspections and site evaluations and prepares reports as necessary or required;
• Seeks out and applies for grants pertaining to coastal and marine issues; ensures complete and competitive applications;
• Prepares reports, correspondence, presentations, and other written material for Town officials and maintains electronic files in an organized manner to facilitate use by other staff members;
• Reviews information requests from Town departments, boards, or agencies for information, guidance, or recommendations regarding coastal impacts; acts as a liaison with other Town departments, boards, and the general public; and provides technical assistance to these groups regarding coastal matters;
• Develops relationships with landowners, neighborhood associations, and agencies such as MEMA/FEMA, EPA, ACOE, DCR, EEA, DEP, and CZM to promote coastal resilience initiatives;
• Coordinates, compiles, conducts, and submits reports for the Coastal Rating System annual program on behalf of the Town;
• Responsible for all aspects of the FEMA Flood Hazard Mitigation Program; works with the homeowners on filings, schedules and conducts educational sessions, and reviews and approves applications; works with federal and state officials on funding and reimbursements;
• May recommend changes to bylaws and regulations relative to coastal issues;
• Attends seminars, workshops, training sessions, and staff meetings to remain knowledgeable and current on applicable laws and regulations and proper procedures and methods of operation. Some attendance at evening meetings is required.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, coastal geology, or related field and five (5) years of related professional experience; or master’s degree in a related field and three (3) years of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

Applicants must have knowledge of the State Clean Water Act (Sections 401 and 404), M. G. L. Chapter 91, the Coastal Zone Management Act, local zoning bylaws, FEMA Flood Mitigation and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs, and coastal processes such as erosion, deposition, and sediment transport. Applicants must have the ability to work independently; read, understand, and interpret technical specifications and site plans; prepare technical reports and grant applications; and conduct independent research and interpret the results. The successful candidate also has strong technology and interpersonal skills.

Expected Starting Range: Step 1 ($89,752/year) – Step 5 ($102,606/year), commensurate with qualifications and experience, with room to advance along the 10-step pay scale. Relocation bonus of up to $15,000. Comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays per year; vacation/sick/personal paid time off; Town contribution of up to 75% of the cost of health insurance; cost-effective dental, vision, life insurance, and disability policy plans; enrollment in the defined benefit pension plan; modest tuition reimbursement; professional development opportunities; and voluntary pre-tax and Roth 457(b) plans.

Preference Date to Apply: Monday, February 24, 2025 by 4:30 p.m. The position will remain open until filled, but candidates who apply by the above date and time will be given preference over later applications. Candidates are encouraged to upload a cover letter and resume to the online application portal.

Our Community: The Town of Falmouth strives to be a premiere Cape community that provides a responsive, accessible, and inclusive environment for all. Falmouth is proud of its active citizen engagement, strong financial management, and EEO/AA employer status. Applicants must have the ability to effectively work and interact with individuals and groups of various abilities, cultures, backgrounds, and identities.

Please apply through the Town of Falmouth Employment Opportunities website: https://www.falmouthma.gov/723/EmploymentCurrent-Job-Openings

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $89,752.00 - $102,606.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $89,752 - $102,606