Listing Summary

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency that focuses on issues critical to the region’s success, including growth and development, transportation, water resources, services for older adults and workforce solutions. ARC is dedicated to unifying the region’s collective resources to prepare the metropolitan area for a prosperous future. This is done through professional planning initiatives, the provision of objective information and the involvement of the community in collaborative partnerships.

The Community Development Department works closely with local governments across the 11-county region to help address a range of land use, development, and transportation challenges. The Department is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative self-starter to join its team. The ideal candidate will have a mission-oriented mindset, excellent written and verbal communication skills, graphic design and GIS skills, and knowledge of the principles and techniques of local planning, including an understanding of the application of regulations.

The position is primarily expected to contribute to all local planning efforts within the Community Development Department including long range planning, strategic implementation, facilitation, and trainings. Programs include local comprehensive planning, Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP), Community Planning Academy (CPA), Regional Excellence Awards (REA) Program, and the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Program. Projects currently being undertaken include comprehensive plans, corridor and subarea plans, zoning revisions, studies of special topics such as housing or economic development, and similar planning activities. The position may also be asked to contribute to other ARC activities, including but not limited to Regional Plan Updates.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage and support local plans produced through ARC’s Community Development Department;
• Contribute to all elements of local plan development, including research, analysis, mapping, writing, stakeholder engagement, and public outreach;
• Manage the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP), Land Use Coordinating Committee (LUCC), Regional Excellence Awards (REA) Program, and Community Development Program Assistants (CDPAs);
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with local project sponsors and partner organizations and communicate effectively;
• Work as part of multidisciplinary teams and contribute to complex projects;
• Complete other technical, analytical, GIS-related, and administrative projects as needed;
• Perform other duties as assigned to support agency goals and objectives.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in urban or regional planning, economics, architecture, landscape architecture or related field
• Three (3 years of professional planning experience. 

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous work experience in planning, public policy, and/or research field
• Two (2) years of project or program management experience
• American Institute of Certified Planners designation (AICP)

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of local and regional planning practice in metropolitan Atlanta, including plan and ordinance preparation, development review, and the role of appointed and elected officials;
• Strong understanding of the links between transportation and community development;
• Ability to provide technical assistance, conduct trainings and workshops, and develop innovative, collaborative solutions to build local capacity;
• Experience working with elected officials and local government staff in designing and implementing policies, strategies, and regulatory approaches that support healthy livable communities;
• Experience with using and analyzing large datasets and conducting quantitative analyses;
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas is preferred: land use planning; comprehensive;
• Planning, zoning, community development, local government policy and economic development;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Interest and ability to interact with partner agencies, local governments, and the public;
• Ability to manage and contribute to complex projects and to work as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• Strong organizational skills:
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and consistently meet established deadlines;
• Strong time management skills;
• Ability to adjust to frequent procedural changes;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite and ARCGIS.

 

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $62,120 – 83,863 (no SS deductions except for Medicare portion, approx. 1.45% of salary)