Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

Posting Title: Planner II

Job Requisition Number: COA090063

Position Number:116550

Job Type: Full-Time

Division Name:  Housing and Planning

Minimum Qualifications

• Education and/or Equivalent Experience:
• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in Planning, Geography, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a planning related field, plus two (2) years of experience in planning related work.
• Twelve (12) semester hours of relevant graduate college course work may substitute for six months of required experience with a maximum substitution of two (2) years.
• Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• None.

Notes to Applicants

The Housing Department Displacement Prevention team is recruiting for a Planner II to support anti-displacement initiatives. This team works on initiatives and policies that help ensure communities that are most vulnerable to being displaced are prioritized with helpful programs and real-world solutions.

Specifically, this Planner II position will work on key planning, policy, and research activities within the Housing Department. This position will support the development of housing policies and collaborate with diverse communities through various planning processes to elevate and promote housing affordability and racial equity.

This position will perform research and analysis to inform decision making, develop and evaluate proposals to further housing affordability, and effectively build relationships with people who are impacted by City plans and policies.

Working with the City of Austin Housing Department provides a number of health and welfare benefits. Please click HERE for more information.

Pay Range: $27.16 – $32.87

Hours:

• Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with some evening and weekend hours, as necessary.
• Flexible scheduling may be available based on business needs.

Job Close Date: 10/13/2023

Type of Posting: External

Department: Housing and Planning

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Grant Funded or Pooled Position: Not Applicable

Category: Professional

Location: 1000 East 11th Street, Austin Tx. 78702

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with equitable community-driven development, real estate development and financing, and/or policies and programs that address systemic housing injustices.
• Experience and knowledge of planning at different scales, ranging from comprehensive planning to small area planning (corridor plans, neighborhood plans, station area plans, etc.).
• Ability to collaborate, communicate, and facilitate dialogue with community members of varying backgrounds and areas of interest, including Boards and Commissions and community organizations.
• Proficiency with data analysis, interpretation, and visualization, especially spatial data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud products to create deliverables.
• Knowledge of systemic inequities and institutional racism and experience applying principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Researches and reviews urban land development proposals and studies.
• Reviews preliminary site plans and prepares comments for zoning, land use, annexation, and variance cases. .Studies procedural, ordinance, charter changes to analyze the impact on planning proposals and studies.
• Meets with and answers questions from citizens, developers, and other city officials by providing technical planning assistance.
• Prepares reports and make presentations at public hearings regarding land use and other planning related activities.
• Assists in interpreting, explaining, and enforcing city policies and procedures concerning building and land development codes and specifications.
• Reviews subdivision plats and site plans for compliance with local regulations and ordinances. Conducts field checks to verify the accuracy of data.
• Coordinates activities of various planning boards and committees
• Compiles data and information for reports and cost estimates. Calculates figures for reports.
• Develops and conducts public information and education programs.
• Assists with coordinating division/section activities with other city staff and assists in coordinating and conducting meetings between consultants, public, and City staff.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
• Knowledge of the principles of community and urban planning.
• Knowledge of Federal and State laws related to planning and urban development.
• Knowledge of planning techniques.
• Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to apply statistical tools to data.
• Ability to give public presentations.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation: This position does not require a Criminal Background Investigation

EEO/ADA

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.