Description

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking a driven and experienced Senior Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional to join our team in Topeka, KS. This role is ideal for a candidate with a strong background in FEMA programs, including the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Hazard Mitigation Planning, and the Post Preliminary Process (PPP) under the Risk MAP initiative. Experience in Community Outreach is also highly valued.

As a senior technical expert and project manager, you will lead multi-disciplinary teams and oversee a diverse portfolio of projects. Proficiency in FEMA’s Mapping Information Portal (MIP) and Earned Value Management (EVM) is essential for tracking and reporting project progress.

In this role, you will support FEMA Region 7 and the national Production and Technical Services (PTS) contract, potentially contribute to other FEMA contract pursuits as needed, mentor junior staff and foster innovation in GIS and hazard mitigation, and drive community resilience through impactful project leadership.

We’re looking for seasoned professionals who are passionate about delivering results, guiding teams, and advancing cutting-edge solutions in the emergency management and GIS space.

Your Impact

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and community officials, proactively addressing their needs and aligning project outcomes with organizational goals
• Communicate with clients to understand their objectives to successfully achieve those objectives within scope, schedule, budget requirements
• Achieve and uphold project quality and timelines
• Work with team members and clients to prepare scopes, schedules, budgets, assumptions, and constraints for projects 
• Assist in the coordination of activities of multi-disciplinary staff to ensure project delivery per schedule, on budget, and within scope parameters
• Provide guidance to team members related to successful delivery across the full project lifecycle
• Provide technical guidance and reviews to ensure the delivery of high-quality work
• Ensure data quality (QA/QC) and uphold best practices for geospatial data management
• Proactively strategize and anticipate risks and issues 
• Coordinate with other managers to balance workload and staffing needs
• Engage other Subject Matter Experts and technical support staff as needed to support FEMA Regions
• Mentor junior staff and review projects 
• Participate in client meetings and follow through on assigned action items directly with clients and communities 
• Communicate with project team members, government representatives (federal, state, and local), and other stakeholders to define data needs, project requirements, and desired outputs
• Cultivate and manage client relationships and guide application of services to best serve the interests of the client and WSP 
• Communicate with community stakeholders to set up meetings, take minutes and make reminder communications to increase participation

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in GIS, Environmental Science, Planning, or a related field.
• 5 to 7 years of relevant post-education experience in discipline with prior GIS experience.
• Extensive experience in database management, qualitative/quantitative analysis, mapping, and data visualization
• Proficiency understanding how ESRI ArcGIS software can be used to advance project goals
• Experience with FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program including the full project life cycle and MIP Reporting for project status
• Experience in Hazard Mitigation Planning at local and regional or state levels
• Excellent creative problem-solving, analytical, multi-tasking, and organizational skills
• Financial project management skills, including earn value management
• Strong production management capabilities and a proven understanding of project management methodologies
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, proactive communicator and problem-solver
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ownership and accountability for work
• Capability to work in a dynamic environment, including a demonstrated willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities 
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide array of individuals from various backgrounds, including engineers; planners; GIS professionals; federal, tribal, and state government officials; and the public
• Strong multi-tasking and organizational skills
• Strong track record of overseeing successful project delivery with a drive for quality product and financial excellence
• Must be able to build rapport and establish positive relationships with existing and prospective WSP clients to ensure client-focused performance
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and SharePoint
• Solid work ethic and have the drive to be a leader in the company and in the professional community
• Ability to travel periodically, as needed (less than 20% travel anticipated) 
• Ability to carry 25+ lbs.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s Degree is preferred.
• Management of FEMA Projects and workflow
• Experience with the NFIP and FEMA’s Risk Mapping Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) Program 
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)

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