Comprehensive Plan Update & Storm and Surface Water Comprehensive Plan Assistance

Host: City of Maple Valley
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Affordable Housing, Transportation / Mobility, Climate Adaptation, Climate Mitigation, Ecosystem / Habitat Conservation, Infrastructure Development, including Broadband, Urban Planning, Energy Efficiency, Water Management, Water Policy
Skills Needed: Research, Technical Writing, Critical Thinking

Service Needs & Plans

The Fellow would serve within the City of Maple Valley‘s Department of Community Development and Public Works. The primary task of the fellow would be the development of the City’s first Climate Change and Resiliency plan. The Fellow would also assist with comprehensive planning, including a public participation plan, the environmental element, housing element, and transportation element. The fellow would also assist in finalizing the City’s Storm and Surface Water Comprehensive Plan and ensuring this plan aligns with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Climate Resiliency Goals. These projects comprehensively address long range environment, equity, transportation, and housing goals.

Project Description

For the Climate Change and Resiliency Plan, the goal is to develop a specific and actionable Plan tailored to the needs of the City of Maple Valley that is comprehensive, equitable, based on science, supported by the community and builds off successful efforts of other Cities.

The Fellow would be the primary writer and developer of the Climate Change and Resiliency Plan with oversight and input from the City’s project team of Planners, Engineers, and Council Members. They would complete both a draft and final Plan.

Maple Valley operates with a very small staff and does not have any staff dedicated to climate planning or resiliency. This makes it very challenging to be forward thinking and develop consistent policies and standards. The support of a Fellow would allow us to have someone focused on resiliency planning in house, and with a Plan in place that is adopted by Council leadership, implementing actions defined in the Plan will be much easier with our existing staff.

Desired Skills

The ideal Fellow will have an interest in a broad range of local government functions and the public process. The fellow should be proficient in research, analysis, public engagement, and expressing technical ideas to a general audience. A proficiency with reviewing reports and maps is a plus. The fellow must be strong at expressing ideas verbally and through writing.

Organization & Community Highlights

The City of Maple Valley is a dynamic place to work, where colleagues work nimbly as a team to fill the evolving needs of this small city. Most staff, including the Fellow, have opportunities to interact with the City Manager and City Council. This position is ripe with learning opportunities. The City of Maple Valley is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as evidenced by the staff team that meets quarterly to guide City policy and practices towards a more equitable city for staff, residents, and visitors. Staff enjoy working for the City because of a supportive Council, an engaged community, and the ability to work closely and adapt to changing needs.

Remote or On-Site Placement

The Fellow may serve a hybrid of on-site and remote (most staff have this option) work. Some community contact would be required, which would also be a hybrid of on-site and remote. Employee work stations are sufficiently distributed for social distancing.

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