Environmental Planner
Capital District Regional Planning Commission

The Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC) is hiring a full-time Environmental Planner to join a collaborative, mission-driven team focused on strengthening communities, protecting natural resources, and advancing sustainable development across the Capital Region. This is a unique opportunity to shape meaningful local and regional planning efforts, with a special focus on water quality, environmental resiliency, and economic growth.

As an Environmental Planner at CDRPC, you'll work directly with local governments, nonprofit partners, and state agencies to lead innovative projects, analyze data, write strategic plans, and communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences. This role blends technical expertise with project management, data analysis, plan writing, grant support, and public speaking, offering the opportunity to make a tangible impact on regional environmental quality and community resiliency.

A full description of the position and how to apply can be found at https://cdrpc.org/about-us/opportunities-at-cdrpc . Closing date: Monday, August 11, 2025.

Responsibilities

As an Environmental Planner at CDRPC, you will support and lead a range of local and regional planning initiatives focused on environmental protection, water quality, and sustainable development. The responsibilities listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to successfully perform this job:

• Collaboration and Outreach
  Represent CDRPC on regional committees and working groups, and foster partnerships with public, nonprofit, and private-sector stakeholders. Your role will support coordination around water quality, economic development, and environmental initiatives, and assist communities in identifying and securing funding by preparing grant applications and supporting budget development.
• Project Management
  You will lead planning projects from start to finish, coordinating timelines, deliverables, and communication with municipalities, state agencies, and community organizations. You'll also facilitate meetings and maintain strong stakeholder relationships to keep projects on track.
• Technical Assistance
  Provide hands-on support to local governments on a variety of planning issues, including comprehensive planning, zoning, sustainability, and infrastructure. You will help draft and implement Drinking Water Source Protection Plans and promote the adoption of green infrastructure practices.
• Research and Data Analysis
  Collect and analyze demographic, spatial, and environmental data to inform planning efforts. You'll work with CDRPC's data analysist to create maps and visualizations that support decision-making and communicate key insights to stakeholders.
• Writing and Communication
  Draft clear and accessible planning documents, reports, and technical memos for a range of audiences. You will also present findings at public meetings, workshops, and stakeholder briefings, helping to explain complex information in a relatable way.

Qualifications

To accomplish the responsibilities outlined above, you will be able to manage competing priorities, think critically and creatively, work as a collaborative team member, and maintain a sense of humor and camaraderie. An ideal candidate for this position is eager to grow into a role as a project manager, team leader, or subject matter expert. In addition, you have some combination of the following qualifications:

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in planning, economic development, environmental science, public administration, or related field
• At least one (1) year of experience in planning, economic development, environmental science, public administration, or related field
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with ArcGIS and WordPress is preferred
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfortable making presentations to small and large audiences, both online and in-person
• Self‐starter who can demonstrate initiative and has a willingness to pitch in, adapt, and collaborate as a teammate
• You bring strong analytical, writing, and visual communication skills; you can turn data or fuzzy ideas into sharp, digestible insights.
• Familiarity with state and federal funding sources is preferred.
• You are local or willing to relocate to the Albany area to participate in our hybrid work environment and work directly with our teams and partners.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $62,955.29- $85,167.46, depending on education and experience. Includes generous health care benefits, membership in the New York State and Local Retirement System, deferred compensation savings plan, paid family leave, and optional flex spending and dependent care savings accounts. CDRPC is an Equal Opportunity employer and follows Affirmative Action policies. Qualified women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

If this position sounds like a fit for your skill sets and you are passionate about improving our region's environment and communities, we would love to hear from you! Please email your resume and cover letter via email with the subject "Environmental Planner" to cdrpc@cdrpc.org by Monday, August 11, 2025.