Planner Senior (Project Connect/Parks and Recreation Department)

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Planning, Geography, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a planning related field, plus five (5) years of planning related work.
• Twelve (12) semester hours of relevant graduate college course work may substitute for six (6) months of required experience with a maximum substitution of two (2) years.
• Experience in planning-related work may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None.

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of the Planner Senior (Project Connect) position will be to coordinate input from the Parks and Recreation Department's subject matter experts to meet the needs of Austin's transit programs.

This position is funded by Project Connect, working primarily within the Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ). The position will liaison with and participate in activities as needed, with the Project Connect Office, which leads the City of Austin's coordination with Austin Transit Partnership and Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as "See Resume" will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, hiking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to twenty (20) pounds. Work environment includes inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases and mists. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond and work with participant's needs and safety issues.

Other Information:

• Posting Guidelines: PARD reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience in interpreting surveys, legal descriptions, real estate documents, cartography, engineering documents, construction plans, and aerial and orthophotography.
• Experience with the National Environmental Policy Act ( NEPA ) or any State/Federal regulations related to the protection of public parks and recreational lands.
• Experience in Project Management.
• Experience with parkland policies, plans, and regulations in transit-oriented development.
• Experience coordinating with other government agencies, City Departments, and stakeholder groups.

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to communicate concisely and effectively with executives, Boards and Commissions, technical experts, and the general public.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and balance proposals and policies regarding transportation, land use, and parks.
• Skills in research, attention to detail, and identification of key issues regarding parks, land use, and transportation systems in an urban environment.
• Software skills with ArcGIS, Microsoft Office Suite, and Bluebeam.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

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.

Coordinates division/section activities with other division/sections.

Researches information as requested and or needed. Reviews analyzed data to discover patterns and/or discrepancies.

Assists in developing operating procedures. Assists in developing division/section budget.

Assists in developing and evaluating plans, criteria, etc for a variety of projects, programs, and activities.

Investigates consumer/citizen complaint to determine validity. Speaks as City representative before public groups.

Reviews complex plats and site plans for compliance with policy codes, ordinances, standards, etc.

Answers more complex citizen questions and provide assistance.

Interprets/explains/enforces City policies & procedures, building/land development codes, specifications, ordinances, etc.

Attends City Council, board, and etc meetings to provide technical advice and assistance. Coordinates activities of various boards, committees, etc.

Writes informational reports. Writes/draft legal documents, i.e., contracts, regulations, ordinance amendments, resolutions, etc.

Develops, utilizes, and modifies complex transportation planning models. Reviews complex traffic impact analyses.

Responsibilities - Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Perform as Lead Case Manager. May coordinate the activities of other planners.

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 relating to planning and urban development.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Ability to make formal presentations of program and/or project recommendations.
• Ability to work under the pressures of rigid and/or short work cycle.
• Ability to maintain confidentially.
• Ability to develop and implement long-range plans.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for 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.