Planning Team Leader

Only candidates with permanent Civil Service status in the City Planner title, those reachable on the City Planner active list (exam #5045), or those serving in a comparable civil service title can be considered for this position.

About the Agency

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the future of New York City, working to create thriving and dynamic neighborhoods with access to housing and jobs, resilient infrastructure, and a vibrant public realm. The Department engages communities to develop inclusive plans, expands housing access and economic opportunity, and plans for long-term sustainability. DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of hundreds of land use applications. The Department also advises on citywide strategic and capital planning, analyzes data, conducts policy analysis, and creates open data and civic engagement tools.

The Department of City Planning offers staff meaningful opportunities to help shape the future of New York City and address some of its most pressing challenges. The Department values public service, collaboration, and creativity, and supports professional development.

About the Division

Staten Island is home to half a million people and is characterized by its unique geography, including natural features such as steep hillsides, coastal wetlands, and large wooded areas. While the smallest of the five New York City boroughs, the planning issues facing the borough are similar to those facing other mid-sized cities throughout the country, including growth management, infrastructure, transportation, and affordable housing.

The zoning for the borough is comprised of several distinct special districts, including three that, together, cover most of the island and place a large focus on balancing the preservation of natural features with meeting the needs of neighborhoods and planning for growth.

The Staten Island Office team is responsible for the full range of borough planning activities, including:

• Developing borough-wide and local plans with a focus on growth management, affordable housing, resiliency, natural resource preservation, and transit-oriented development;
• Reviewing and processing land use applications including technical special district site authorizations;
• Leading community outreach and engagement;
• Planning for resiliency and climate change;
• Providing guidance on land use and zoning matters to the City Planning Commission, local Community Boards, elected officials, and the public at large.

About the Role

The Staten Island Office is seeking a Planning Team Leader to manage a team of planners and projects, lead planning and policy studies, support land use application review, and conduct community outreach. Successful candidates possess a combination of strong technical land use planning skills, project management and public presentation experience, a deep understanding of land use and zoning, commitment to public and community service, and a desire to contribute to an engaging work environment.

Under supervision, with significant latitude for independent judgment, the Planning Team Leader may:

• Supervise the work of a team of planners to manage neighborhood or borough-wide land use studies;
• Conduct and present research to facilitate neighborhood planning, strategic planning, and/or zoning change proposals;
• Prepare written technical reports, visual data synthesis, and verbal presentations for internal and external audiences;
• Provide mentorship, training, and guidance to team members;
• Provide direct feedback on work programs to Director and Deputy Director;
• Produce recommendations of department and division policies, studies, and planning issues;
• Review, analyze, and make recommendations and presentations on land use applications and coordinate with technical divisions of the Department, other City agencies, Community Boards, elected officials and the public;
• Develop and engage in comprehensive public outreach campaigns and planning initiatives;
• Represent the Department at meetings of civic, business and community groups, Community Boards, elected officials, and public agencies;
• Perform other related tasks.

Requirements

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and two years of satisfactory full-time experience in city planning; or a satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to the above. Graduate education in city planning, urban planning, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, transportation engineering, public administration, economic development or related fields may be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 graduate semester credits from an accredited college for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree.

Qualifications

Assignment Level III: To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level III, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, one additional year of professional experience as described above.

Assignment Level IV: To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level IV, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, two additional years of professional experience as described above.

Preferred Skills

• Experience supervising projects, studies, and staff;
• Ability to lead meetings effectively and inclusively;
• Proficiency with ArcGIS mapping and/or related software;
• Excellent presentation and written communication skills, experience speaking publicly and making effective presentations, particularly in public settings;
• Proven ability to complete tasks in a timely fashion under minimal supervision and manage multiple projects simultaneously;
• Ability to work well in teams with a diverse mix of community stakeholders, staff, elected and appointed officials;
• Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings.

Benefits

• This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed to between the City and DC37.
• As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Pay

$85,175.00 – $97,951.00

Additional Information

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position. The NYC Department of City Planning does not offer sponsorship of any kind for employment opportunities.