Director Of Community Planning

Position Purpose/Summary

Responsible for completing place-based assessments in order to plan and develop local strategies in neighborhoods across Springfield. This position will work collaboratively to advance local and state level policies and practices that promote sustainability and healthy communities. The position reports directly to the Deputy Development Officer for Housing, Community Development and Sustainability. Supervision is exercised over departmental employees.

Essential Functions

• Compile, evaluate, and summarize in writing environmental, economic, demographic, neighborhood and land use data

• Review planning documents, municipal ordinances, and relevant studies to write local assessment reports and recommendations

• Responsible for completion of neighborhood plans and implementation of neighborhood investment plans. With all implementation actions having a focus on ensuring equity for environmental justice populations and neighborhoods that experience greater levels of vulnerability on the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) Interface with neighborhood councils and/or civic associations

• Conduct research and analysis, including quantitative and qualitative data assessments, with the ability to write-up the results of literature reviews, scans of planning tools and resources, and primary interviews

• Attend site visits and take relevant and accurate notes to be used in planning projects

• Write plans, reports, and ordinance and policy recommendations

• Assist with preparing scopes of work and invoices

• Create and deliver professional presentations

• Engage with stakeholders and partners in a professional manner on behalf of the Development Services Division

• Prepare RFPs, RFQs, NOFAs

• Work directly with the Division's senior management, elected officials and the local business community

• Prepare and coordinate distribution of press materials and event logistics

• Participate in program marketing and messaging

• Write and edit articles, newsletter messages, blog posts, meeting minutes, promotional materials, direct emails and letters

• Assist with program development and writing grant proposals

• Oversight of Neighborhood related staff

• Performs related work as required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to create urban planning design renderings, preferably in an open-source or readily available platform

• In depth understanding or direct experience in sustainable urban planning and programing

• Possess an understanding of smart growth planning principles

• An in depth understanding of municipal master planning, urban renewal, zoning, and other land use policies and practices

• Ability to review and work on municipal ordinances, plans, and policies

• Ability to identify and use relevant data to assess and characterize community features such as, but not limited to, flood risk, community assets or challenges, social capital, vulnerable populations, walkability, connectivity, mix of land uses, density, and proximity

• Ability to conduct secondary research in a timely, thorough, and accurate manner

• Comfortable with prioritizing and completing multiple tasks

• ArcGIS skills sufficient to create maps, conduct complex analyses, and participate in development of land use analysis methodologies

• Attention to detail in producing accurate and meaningful results and products

• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and be sensitive to diverse perspectives and positions

• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice

• Ability to engage in creative thinking and problem-solving to advance community-building goals

• Flexibility to handle a wide array of tasks and topic areas

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with municipal, federal and state officials, department heads, civic organizations, and the general public.

• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree with major course work in municipal or regional planning, economics, sociology, architecture, civil engineering or related fields

• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in senior planning and/or neighborhood/community development work

• AICP and/or PP Certification

• Graduate degree in planning or related field preferred.

• ArcGIS Pro skills and data management capabilities preferred.