Tricia Sears Email and Phone Number

I am responsible for providing technical assistance on local hazards and Natural Hazards Mitigation Plans (NHMPs) to local jurisdictions throughout Oregon. The natural hazards planning staff at DLCD helps local governments plan for how to reduce the risk from natural hazards by assisting them to integrate the hazard information and the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plans into local plans and regulations. The staff coordinates floodplain management and all hazards statewide and works in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide maps and other hazard information to support land use and development decisions.My projects currently include/ have included:- Recovery and resiliency planning related to the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires, and other hazards- Project manager and author or co-author on the update to the 2017 Medford NHMP; the 2018 NHMPs for Hood River, Gilliam, Wasco, Sherman, Wheeler, Lake, Harney, and Malheur Counties; and the Burns Paiute Tribe NHMP; the City of Sweet Home NHMP, the Umatilla County NHMP, and the Marion County NHMP.- Manager of the PDM 16 climate change project with the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute (OCCRI). Also the HGMP climate change project with OCCRI and other projects.- Member of the Website Migration Steering Committee that created a new DLCD website launched in October 2018.- Co-author of the Preparing for Landslide Hazards: A Land Use Guide for Oregon Communities, the quick reference of that Guide, and the webinar about it, for DLCD in collaboration with DOGAMI.- Co-author of the 2016 Special Districts NHMP guidance document written by DLCD.- Taught FEMA G-318 Local Mitigation Planning class; made multiple presentations at conferences.

Collaborating with the Senior Equity Planner to research and write the update of the Multnomah County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. This plan covers the unincorporated areas of Multnomah County, as well as the incorporated cities of Gresham, Fairview, Troutdale, and Wood Village.

I worked for PHS between October 2007 and May 2016, in several different time frames. - Provide expertise on City of Portland and Multnomah County land use applications by analyzing site and situation information; identifying relevant provisions; writing land use application narratives addressing criteria; and coordinating review process.- Manage projects by interacting and coordinating with clients, professional experts, agency staff, and others. Keep people on task and informed in timely fashion from project start to completion.

- Coordinator overseeing fiscal management; responsible for outreach and education; communication with board members, agencies, media etc; run the Streamside Stewards Program and manage restoration contractor; manage the restoration expert; and all project management.- Create budgets and grant applications; track all data and funding requirements; manage contracts; create, renovate, and maintain website and all outreach materials; and advocate for fish and wildlife.

- Special Projects Staff for the Natural Resources Coordinator. Prepared study on ownership and management of lands within NCPRD.- Research; coordination with staff in A&T, GIS, and other jurisdictions; policy development and recommendations; natural resources and parks planning.

Project Manager, Local Energy Assurance Plan (LEAP), managing a $276K ARRA grant. ● Established LEAP committee, collaborated with affiliated state agencies to prepare a plan to address dependency on energy before, during, and after an energy disruption; created an emergency plan to be part of the City’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; and ensure compliance.● Provided education and outreach on need for energy assurance and importance of multi-disciplinary approach. Created and maintained project website. Made numerous presentations.● Collaborated with Bureau of Planning and Sustainability on integration of energy assurance, hazard management, and sustainability in City projects and policy.● Completed Climate Leadership Initiative Training, Ready for Change: Preparing Oregon’s Public Health and Emergency Preparedness Sectors for Climate Change.● Completed American Red Cross Business Continuity Training.

Managed Invasive Plant Policy Review and Regulatory Improvement Project. Updated Portland Plant List. Researched options to establish multi-jurisdictional noxious weed control district. Provided natural hazards analysis and recommendations to staff working on the Portland Plan. Liaison for BPS on the committee to revise the City’s Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. ● Reviewed and revised City codes and policies to improve invasive plant management by amending Zoning Code, Property Maintenance Regulations, Comprehensive Plan, Erosion Control Manual, Stormwater Management Manual, City specifications, and other relevant provisions. ● Created and maintained project website. Made numerous presentations.

Reviewed land use applications for existing and proposed sanitary services, stormwater management systems, and environmental protection. Elicited and coordinated responses from teams within BES for land use applications. Point of contact for BES on land use matters. Liaison between bureaus.● Collaborated with team to review and revise Stormwater Management Manual.● Innovated and improved coordination efforts between BES and other bureaus.

A temporary position as a Program Specialist for the Washington County Recycle at Work program.

Active member of committees within BDS and across City bureaus; provided environmental policy and technical expertise, communicated with staff and responded to emergency situations. Focused on legislation to ensure compliance and improved policies. Managed multiple cases, interacted with diverse stakeholders to craft workable solutions. Performed on-site evaluations for land use applications, analyzed site constraints, and applicable criteria. Made numerous presentations.● Landslide Coordination Committee; Bureau of Planning Environmental Code Improvement Project subcommittees on Trails and Right-of-Way/Landslides; Rapidly Moving Landslides Committee. ● Wrote Landslides in Environmental Zones and Rapidly Moving Landslides memorandums and public information handouts.● Spearheaded publication of Rapidly Moving Landslides Hazard maps on City website.● Co-collaborator and author of MOU between OSD & BDS. ● Researched and wrote the Significant Trees Plant Identification Handbook.

Reviewed County land use applications. Wrote staff reports and made public hearing presentations. County liaison to the public, responding to questions about parcel buildability, land use applications, building permit processing, National Scenic Area provisions, and farm and forest regulations.

Assistant Planner (1995-1997)● Team Customer Service Award● Community Service AwardPlanning Technician (1995)