JOB DESCRIPTION

The DC Office of Planning is on the hunt for an experienced community planner to be part of our Neighborhood Planning team! If you're passionate about innovative urban planning, design excellence, and equitable engagement, come join our dynamic team in shaping the future of the District and its vibrant neighborhoods.

Job Summary

This position is in the Office of Planning (OP), Planning and Data Visualization, Neighborhood Planning. OP has the lead responsibility for planning the long-term growth of the District of Columbia (D.C.) and provides the vision, framework and principles that guide land use change, growth, and development for an equitable and vibrant city. OP undertakes citywide and neighborhood-scale planning and engagement; urban design and development review; historic preservation; mapping and data analysis; and serves as the official Census State Data Center. OP is the steward of the District's Comprehensive Plan, which advances housing, economic recovery, racial equity, resilience, and coordination of public resources and civic infrastructure.

The Neighborhood Planning Team has six main areas of responsibilities which shape the future development and revitalization of the District's neighborhoods namely, developing small area plans and planning studies; conducting stakeholder engagement, coordinating and tracking plan implementation; participating in citywide planning initiative that have a neighborhood impact; monitoring and reviewing development projects; and acting as a liaison to elected officials and community stakeholders on land use, development, and planning issues. The Neighborhood Planning Division includes planners assigned to each ward of the District to work in collaboration with Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, citizen associations, residents, businesses, elected officials, and District agencies. This position functions as a Community Planner, responsible for providing planning and policy guidance to stakeholders, including community stakeholders, elected officials, and District and Federal agencies.

The role focuses on shaping the city's growth, promoting sustainable development, and nurturing communities that meet the diverse needs of residents and businesses, while also coordinating and leading successful neighborhood planning initiatives. The Community Planner in this position manages place-based plans or studies from inception to completion including conducting data research and technical analysis, coordinating among internal and external planners and consultants, undertaking robust community engagement, and developing draft and final reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

Conducts technical and policy analysis, defines project objectives, and formulates specific proposals and recommendations to develop comprehensive and well-informed strategies addressing urban design and community development challenges. Manages plans or projects from inception to completion, including drafting statements of work, manages diverse technical project teams, and budget control to ensure the successful execution of planning initiatives or projects, initiates surveys of land use; social, economic, and environmental conditions; transportation; housing and commercial development patterns; and other concerns or issues that may impact planning objectives and goals to gather essential data and information crucial for informed urban planning decisions.

Prepares reports, studies, and analysis that address planning issues and problems throughout the city or in the wards, subareas, neighborhoods, or with regard to specific development projects. Prepares maps, graphs, charts, and other graphics for the presentation of city, ward, and neighborhood studies and plans. Represents OP at meetings of Advisory Neighborhood Councils (ANC) and other community organizations. Responds to planning-related policy issues and works on interagency working groups or taskforces to facilitate meaningful engagement and representation in community matters ensuring timely and effective responses to planning-related policy issues.

Qualifications and Education

Degree: community planning; or related field such as urban affairs, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, sociology, geography, economics, political science, or public administration that included at least 12 semester hours in the planning process, socioeconomic and physical elements of planning, urban and regional economic analysis, and development finance.

Or

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in an urban design-related discipline, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in any combination of urban design-related disciplines of which at least 12 semester hours were in the planning process and physical elements of planning, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

And

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, the incumbent must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

Licenses and Certifications

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is usually performed in an office setting except for periodic outdoor surveys, site visits, and presentations to other entities.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday 8:30 am- 5:00pm

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-0020-13

Duration of Appointment: Career Service - Regular Appointment

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is covered under a collecting bargaining unit – AFGE Local 6311, and you may be required to pay union dues through direct payroll deduction.

GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING

This position is subject to general suitability screening; verification of employment history, reference checks and degree/license, as applicable. The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory general suitability screening.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

BENEFITS

Because we truly care about our employees and their ability to live healthier, better lives, we are committed to providing exceptional benefits.To learn more about plans available to DC Government employees hired on or after October 1, 1987, select the category below that applies to you. Please visit https://dchr.dc.gov/page/benefits-employees-hired-on-or-after-october-1-1987#gsc.tab=0 to learn more about our benefits.

BENEFITS

Because we truly care about our employees and their ability to live healthier, better lives, we are committed to providing exceptional benefits.To learn more about plans available to DC Government employees hired on or after October 1, 1987, select the category below that applies to you. Please visit https://dchr.dc.gov/page/benefits-employees-hired-on-or-after-october-1-1987#gsc.tab=0 to learn more about our benefits.