BOROUGH PLANNER

DISCLAIMER: 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.

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. Learn more about DCP at www.nyc.gov/planning.

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 like 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; and providing guidance on land use and zoning matters to the City Planning Commission, local Community Boards, elected officials, and the public at large.

The Role

The role of a Borough Planner is to manage projects and support planning and policy studies, undertake the review of development projects and applications, schedule and manage projects during DCP’s pre-certification process and public review, liaise with one or more of the borough’s Community Boards and act as DCP’s point of contact for neighborhood stakeholders and community groups, assist with community outreach, data collection, and analysis associated with Agency-led studies, and manage the filing and management of applications and material submissions through the electronic filing system Zoning Application Portal (ZAP).

The selected candidate possess a combination of technical and land use planning skills, an ability to translate technical information into plain language and communicate complex policies, excellent project management skills, public presentation and facilitation experience, an interest in architecture, urban design, and community-based planning, have an affinity for public service, and wants to make New York City a more equitable, resilient, and livable place.

Under supervision of management and supervisors, with some latitude for independent judgment, the Planner will perform work including - but not limited to - the following:

• Provide project management and other support for division’s neighborhood plans as well as both private and agency/city land use applications.
• Manage, review, analyze, and make recommendations on applications submitted to the Department and coordinate this work with technical divisions of the Department, other city agencies, community boards, elected officials, and the public.
• Analyze site plans and development proposals to determine compliance with NYC’s Zoning Resolution, technical review standards, best-practices in urban design, and the City’s land use planning policies.
• Assist in the management of files, applications, and data associated with the e-filing system Zoning Application Portal (ZAP).
• Present land use and zoning proposals to the City Planning Commission, as well as Community Boards, neighborhood groups, and elected officials, and provide expert opinions and recommendations as needed.
• Develop technical documents and presentation materials including reports, maps, graphics, memos, and other forms of correspondence.
• Provide information to the public and the City Planning Commission through speaking, writing, and graphics.
• Play an active role in developing and engaging in comprehensive public outreach campaigns for Borough Office or Department planning initiatives.
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of all on-going land use and zoning studies and community initiatives.
• Understand and respond to socioeconomic and development trends at the neighborhood, citywide, and regional scales.
• Plan, organize, and support studies, including research and data analysis, as part of a team.
• Serve as Department liaison to one or more Community Boards.
• Represent the department at meetings of civic, business and community groups, community boards, and public agencies to gather information and convey the Department’s positions on neighborhood planning initiatives, land use policy, and design issues and proposals. Borough Planners are expected to attend some evening and weekend meetings.
• Perform other related projects and tasks as needed.

Preferred Skills:

• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills with ability to interact with a diverse range of individuals both in person and over the phone, applying tact and discretion as situations demand.
• Demonstrated ability to self-manage, as well as project management skills, including the ability to complete tasks in a timely fashion with minimal supervision and managing several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work well in teams with a diverse mix of community stakeholders, staff, elected and appointed officials.
• Ability to lead meetings effectively and inclusively.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS mapping and analysis is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with specialized software such as Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and or Bluebeam is preferred.
• Familiarity with New York City zoning practices and principles, urban planning and land use issues, neighborhoods, politics and local organizations.
• Must have excellent organizational, time management, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings.

To Apply:

Click here, or visit cityjobs.nyc.gov and follow the steps below:

• Search for job ID number: 789486
• Click on the job business title: Borough Planner IMPORTANT: 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.

Please include a copy of your Notice of Result card or indicate if you are already permanent in this title with your application.

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 any type of employment opportunity. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all minimum qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.

Only applicants under consideration will be contacted.

Appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

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 labor unions.

NOTE: If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation during your visit or have questions regarding the accessibility of our facilities, please reach out to accessibilityinfo@planning.nyc.gov or call 212-720-3508 at least three business days prior to your arrival.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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 “1"" 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.

Special Qualification Requirements 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 in "2" 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 in "2" above.

Residency Requirement

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.