John Schelling Email & Phone Number

Seattle, Wa, Us

Seattle, Washington, United States

In my current role, I am honored to serve as the Director of Community Planning and Development (CPD) for the Seattle Field Office and member of the Senior Leadership Team within the region and CPD. I have the privilege of leading a diverse team to effectively accomplish HUD’s priority objectives and execution of 15 CPD grant programs that support housing, community and economic development and underserved populations through investments that improve the physical, economic, and social well-being of people and communities across Washington. I champion and foster a healthy and thriving culture of inclusion, employee engagement, teamwork, mission success, and esprit de corps among our team. I proactively provide counsel on CPD-related matters to Regional Leadership and Senior Executives at HUD Headquarters on sensitive issues or those that require diplomacy, and I regularly engage with HUD, state, and local leaders to address identified issues. To ensure our work is on target, I led my team through a strategic planning process that culminated in a new annual Field Office Strategic Workplan, which enables us to ensure the daily operations of our team are aligned with key deliverables, milestones, and projected fiscal resources. We implemented a new monthly reporting tool to track our progress towards our workplan goals. This new approach allows our office leadership team to monitor performance, celebrate individual and team successes, and adjust course when necessary. I have also created new processes to capture and share relevant data for monthly briefings I deliver to Regional Leadership on White House and Secretary priorities regarding homelessness. I actively leverage my previous experience working at a regional level within FEMA and my existing relationships with a wide variety of state and federal interagency partners to build connections between people, agencies, and programs to help communities achieve their goals and deliver HUD’s mission.

Bothell, Washington, United States

I was grateful for the opportunity to serve my team, my Region, and my Nation as the Deputy Director of FEMA Region 10’s Mitigation Division. My portfolio consisted of implementing the FEMA Strategic Plan through the Mitigation Division’s strategic framework, co-leading a team of 130 team members and 6 managers, overseeing a grant and contract portfolio of $1.1 billion dollars, leading the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution / resource alignment process across the Division, assisting in policy development and Congressional Affairs, managing Divisional Continuity of Operations, and coordinating with the Mitigation Division Branch Chiefs and Division Director to successfully execute our Environmental and Historic Preservation, Floodplain Management and Insurance, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, and Risk Analysis programs and Mitigation Disaster Field Operations throughout the region.To successfully accomplish our mission, my team and I focused on building trust, building coalitions, and empathetic collaboration to help our state, local, and tribal partners best realize their visions for safer and more disaster resilient communities.

Bothell, Washington, United States

I was privileged to serve as the Risk Analysis Branch Chief for FEMA Region 10. My portfolio included oversight and regional execution of the Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) Program, National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP), National Dam Safety Program, Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) Grant Program, Mitigation Planning Program, and the Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Grant Program. These programs work in tandem to help strengthen communities, lessen their risks to natural hazards, and reduce disaster suffering.

Bothell, Washington, United States

Served as the Regional Hazard Mitigation Planning Manager for FEMA Region X and cultivated a cohesive, dynamic, and functional virtual team that executed delivery of our mission by providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to state governments, tribal nations, local jurisdictions, and other stakeholders.Accomplishments/Responsibilities:* Facilitated the development of a Regional Mitigation Planning Team Strategic Plan that helped focus my team’s efforts around implementation of the FEMA Strategic Plan, National Mitigation Framework, annual FEMA Risk Management Directorate Leadership Intent, and National Mitigation Planning Program Management Plan goals and objectives. * Championed and led a collaboration with FEMA’s Community Engagement and Risk Communication (CERC) contractors on the development of state-specific guidance for integration of land use and hazard mitigation planning * Led a project with the Region’s Production and Technical Services (PTS) contractor to develop a geospatial database that captures each project and action identified within a local and tribal hazard mitigation plan for use within the various RiskMAP activities as well as federal, state, and local mitigation, recovery, preparedness, and response efforts. * Planned and executed a consistent messaging toolkit with CERC contract support for FEMA, state emergency managers, Risk MAP Coordinators, and local mitigation stakeholders to advance mitigation planning. * Coordinated and delivered FEMA-developed training for state, tribal, and local officials within the region to promote the development of natural hazard mitigation plans for local jurisdictions. * Supported Risk MAP program delivery in each phase, including Discovery, Flood Risk Review, Consultation Coordination Officers, and Resilience meetings for communities within Washington State and Alaska.

Olympia, Washington

Developed and implemented an all-hazards emergency management program within a diverse Washington State agency whose mission is to create resilient communities. My responsibilities included coordination of three Emergency Support Functions (ESF-6, ESF-12, and ESF-14) and enhancing capabilities for disaster response and post-disaster recovery for two Recovery Support Functions (RSF) to include Housing and Economic Development. I served as the agency’s Risk Manager in consultation with the Executive Leadership Team to identify, mitigate, reduce, and/or transfer risks facing the agency. My additional duties included managing employee safety and security and directing the agency’s Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) efforts by integrating continuity functions into core business processes.Accomplishments/Responsibilities: * Led a multi-departmental team established by the Executive Leadership Team to develop a strategic plan aimed at aligning agency programs with community-based resilience objectives.* Served as an appointed member of the Governor’s Resilient Washington Subcabinet, which crafted long-term risk reduction strategies.* Implemented a new risk-based decision management strategy in consultation with the Department of Enterprise Services Office of Risk Management to fulfill requirements identified in new Executive Orders on Enterprise Risk Management.* Completed review and update of the Department of Commerce Continuity of Operations Plan and conducted table top exercises for Executive Management Team and continuity personnel members to test planning assumptions and procedures. * Served as the agency lead for the Governor’s State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) program and provide internal coordination on goals and objectives identified by the SEEP Governing Council.* Supervised facility management personnel and provided oversight for all agency facility, fleet, safety, and security operations.

Camp Murray, Washington

Managed a high profile state-level program with responsibilities for earthquake, tsunami, and volcano preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. This included administering more than $1.1M annually in cooperative agreement and grant awards from FEMA, NOAA, and the USGS to execute program objectives, including management and operation of the state's Tsunami Warning Siren System. My work helped lead to first tsunami vertical evacuation building in the United States. Accomplishments/Responsibilities:* Launched “The Great Washington ShakeOut” earthquake preparedness campaign in 2012* Received national awards for innovative and collaborative planning projects such as tsunami vertical evacuation planning through “Project Safe Haven”, “The Resilient Washington State Initiative”, creation of the Washington State HAZUS Earthquake Scenario Catalog, and completing a demonstration project aimed at developing a cost-effective building evaluation method to assess school facilities for seismic deficiencies. *Represented the State on NOAA’s National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP) Coordination Committee and elected by peers to serve as co-chair on the NTHMP Mitigation and Education subcommittee. *Served as the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) representative on the USGS Advanced National Seismic System Steering Committee to advise the USGS Director on strategic issues related to EQ Early Warning, seismic hazards, monitoring, and detection.* Invited by the U.S. Congressional Hazards Caucus Alliance to brief members of Congress on the state and nation’s earthquake and tsunami preparedness in 2012 and 2014.* Served in the State Emergency Operations Center as the Operations Section Chief in responses to the Japan Tsunami (2011), Chile Tsunami (2010), and Samoa Tsunami (2009) and served as the Administration/Finance Section Chief during winter storms/floods (2008-2012) and External Affairs Public Information Officer during wildland fires (2013).

Camp Murray, Washington

Served as a member of the Emergency Management Division's leadership team with delegated authority and direct responsibility for state-level administration of the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance and Public/Individual Assistance Programs; increasing community-based mitigation and disaster prevention efforts; coordinating and executing contracts and grants for delivery of pre- and post-disaster mitigation activities; improving internal business processes through LEAN business practices; and training emergency management professionals and elected and appointed public officials on hazard mitigation and community recovery. Accomplishments/Responsibilities:* Served as the Emergency Operations Center Supervisor in response to the SR 530 landslide and Carlton Complex Wildfire (2014) and served as the Deputy Disaster Manager and State Liaison to Snohomish County during the SR530 landslide response.* Supervised update of the State Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and other federal guidance.*Testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources regarding emerging Earthquake Early Warning and ShakeAlert initiatives.* Participated in the White House Disaster Response and Recovery Initiative led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.*Participated as a member of the United States bi-national exchange with the nation of Colombia to improve volcano preparedness.*Provided oversight, direction, and execution of contacting and grant functions within the Emergency Management Division, including all hazard mitigation grants (HMGP, PDM, FMA, FMAG) to local jurisdictions, tribal governments, and special districts.* Coordinated intergovernmental policy analysis including fiscal notes, bill analysis, and supported federal legislative initiatives on behalf of the Division and state's Congressional Delegation.* Completed recruitment and selection of five key positions within the Section

Greater Seattle Area

Served as a senior-level land use planner with an emphasis on development review, program and policy analysis, and code development with the City of SeaTac Planning and Community Development Department. This included managing complex and controversial land use and development applications where I conducted State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) reviews; served as staff to the Planning Commission on land use and strategic planning issues; administered, reviewed, and amended the City’s Zoning Code and Development Regulations; represented the city and testified before the Hearing Examiner; coordinated with the City Manager, City Council, and senior staff on complex policy issues; met with interested and affected parties such as developers, property owners, community and neighborhood groups, tribal governments, the public, and other government agencies.Accomplishments/Responsibilities: * Developed and led multi-departmental teams to effectively coordinate and resolve complex projects. * Served as the city’s floodplain management subject matter expert and coordinated with FEMA and associated contractors on flood map modernization efforts. * Assisted in the development of sub-area community plans that integrated Sound Transit Light Rail into established neighborhoods, an international airport, and a central business district. * Served as Project Manager for the largest single- and multi-family development within the city on parcels that involved complex permitting with wetlands, salmon-bearing streams, steep slopes, and liquefaction hazards.

Long Beach, Washington

Served as Director of the Community Development Department, which included management of the city's current and long-range land use planning, zoning, and floodplain management functions; supervising the city's building official/code enforcement officer. Job responsibilities included administering a departmental budget of $250,000; supervising full-time and temporary employees; processing complex land use and development applications; coordinating with county and state officials on tsunami preparedness and hazard mitigation; development and submission of federal and state grant applications; serving as staff to the Planning Commission and City Council; implementing, reviewing, and amending the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance for compliance with the NFIP, and Development Regulations; coordinating with the City Administrator, City Council, and other management staff on complex policy and planning issues; serving as the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Responsible Official; representing the city and testifying before the Hearing Examiner and Shoreline Hearings Board; reviewing complex or highly controversial applications and resolving complaints from the public; and serving as the City Administrator in the absence of the Administrator. Accomplishments/Responsibilities: * Completed extensive review and provided recommendations to the City Council for amendment of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Shoreline Master Program, Zoning Code, and Unified Development Ordinance to ensure internal consistency between and among guiding development regulations. * Instituted standardized permitting review process and monitoring system to facilitate adequate tracking and monitoring of land use and building permits.* Successfully applied for and received over $200,000 in state and federal grants to complete bicycle and pedestrian trail and transportation corridor improvements.

Pinellas Park, Florida, United States

Served as a Principal Planner with responsibilities that included performing site plan review, land use capacity analysis, developing long range plans and modification of the city's 20-Year Comprehensive Plan; serving as staff liaison for the Planning and Zoning Commission, Equestrian and Recreation Boards; and conducting various research and analyses at the direction of the Planning Director and City Manager. I developed a 5-year strategic Service Improvement Plan with a budget of $1.5M; developed and maintained a database to streamline and improve collection and tracking of essential department information, including Elevation Certificates and LOMRs; conducted citizen satisfaction surveys and data analysis; provided social services coordination; administered floodplain management actions and permitting for compliance with the NFIP and as a Community Rating System (CRS) Class 5 jurisdiction; delivered floodplain information to developers, insurance companies, and real estate agents; and conducted special studies and projects. I also assisted the Community Planning Director in the formulation of the Division budget; coordinated/supervised the activities of the planning staff to meet established project deadlines; and served as the Community Planning Director in the absence of the Director to ensure that department work progress continued.Accomplishments/Responsibilities: * Supported update and implementation of the city’s annex to the Pinellas County multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan developed using the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 policies and guidance. * Provided counsel to the City Manager and City Council on land use policy related issues* Administered citywide surveys and completed data analysis and reporting for use in capital and human resource budgeting processes instituted across municipal government. * Effectively engaged with a variety of critical stakeholders on complex and controversial issues.

University Of South Florida

My position entailed being a productive and functional member of a cross-disciplinary team managing over $1.3 million in municipal and state government projects to include database design and development, business process reengineering and process mapping, electronic workflow and document imaging, and assisting in development of Continuity of Government (COG) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans for Hillsborough County, Florida. Responsible for data collection and analysis, various field work, preparation of written reports as well as oral presentations to project manager and clients, and providing recommendations for future courses of action. Clients included: Hillsborough County, FL; Southwest Florida Water Management District; and Hillsborough County Water Department.Accomplishments/Responsibilities: * Provided technical assistance and support on the project team. Consulted on issues regarding countywide water use moratoriums and instituting cost effective water saving technology within public and private organizations.* Collected a variety of utility data and standardized data sets for integration into an environmental monitoring database for instituting cost-savings and institutional efficiencies throughout County facilities.* Collaborated with a variety of County offices to investigate processes, identify process improvements aimed at increasing efficiency and effectiveness of workflow, and integrating technological solutions to implement stakeholder supported solutions.

Mpa, Public Administration

Activities and Societies: Pi Alpha Alpha - National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration

Bachelor Of Science

Activities and Societies: Phi Eta Sigma - National Honor Society