Community Planner (Urban Design)

General Job Information

Job Summary

This position is in the Office of Planning (OP) in the Urban Design Division (UD). OP has the lead responsibility for land use planning in 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 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 Urban Design Division (UD) develops plans, design guidelines, renderings, visual depictions and other tools to advance design quality, improve safety and walkability, improve equity outcomes, support environmental health, and reflect community character and a sense of place. UD also reviews plans and projects developed by agency partners, other public entities, and private entities, with a focus on urban design, design excellence, beautification, resiliency, and the enhancement of the District's public spaces. UD manages the public space program and reviews streetscapes, parks, and open space designs, as well as federal and District buildings and projects, zoning cases, large tract review cases, landscaping, streetscape elements, public art, signage, and commemorative works.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for conducting technical and policy analysis, defining objectives, and formulating 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, managing diverse technical project teams, and budget control to ensure the successful execution of planning initiatives or projects.

Identifies critical planning issues as they relate to the city, ward, subareas, neighborhoods or specific projects, and recommends appropriate policy solutions or options for resolution. Proactively identifies and analyzes significant planning challenges and issues that affect different geographical areas within the community. Contributes to initiating 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.

The incumbent will represent OP at meetings of Advisory Neighborhood Councils (ANC) and other community organizations. Responds to short-term planning-related policy issues and works on interagency working groups or taskforces to facilitate meaningful engagement and representation in community matters.

Ensures timely and effective responses to planning-related policy issues collaborate internally with OP staff to develop plans, design studies, and guidelines, and review development proposals. Coordinates efforts with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private entities to enhance and beautify the District's public realm, which includes park, environmental, and transportation systems.

Qualifications and Education

Degree: in 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 one of the above disciplines, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the above disciplines of which at least 12 semester hours were in the planning process, and socioeconomic and physical elements of planning, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the line of work of the position and has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

A degree in urban design, architecture, landscape architecture or related field is highly preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

None

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 8:00am- 5:00pm

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

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential

Position Designation: None

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under a collective bargaining unit AFGE Local 631; and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll deduction.

Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

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.