Chester County Planning Commission
Community Planning Division Director Position Available

The Chester County Planning Commission seeks a Community Planning Division Director responsible for division management and administration with a focus on implementing the County’s comprehensive plan, Landscapes3, through collaboration and consensus building with local municipalities and community partners.

Responsibilities: The Division Director supervises planning staff responsible for assisting municipalities with community planning, urban planning, historic preservation, housing programs and events, and economic development planning efforts. The Division Director administers the Vision Partnership Grant Program, including the review and awarding of cash grants and the provision of direct county consulting services to municipalities to support and implement their planning programs. The Planning Commission operates in a hybrid work environment.

The successful candidate must have strong supervisory, time management, and leadership skills as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications: Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in city or regional planning, public administration, or related field from an accredited college or university and eight years of progressive experience in planning and project management. Master’s degree and AICP certification preferred.

Position Type: Full-Time /Exempt,

Applications must be submitted through the Chester County Job Opportunities webpage (https://www.chesco.org/225/Human-Resources ). The full job description can be accessed here:
Community Planning Division Director.
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/chesco/jobs/4417119/community-planning-division-director

Position Description

Connect the Dots (CtD) is looking for a driven and motivated Project Manager to join our team full-time. Connect the Dots is a woman-owned stakeholder/community engagement firm that innovates participatory processes to ensure diverse voices are a meaningful part of decision-making. You will be joining a fast-growing, close-knit, passionate team of community engagement professionals with an array of partners.

We are committed to co-creation, collaboration, and social, racial and economic justice, and are looking for candidates who embody such practices and:

• have experience in running community engagement / public participation processes – medium to large-scale
• ideally, have background or project experience in urban planning (with a particular focus on transportation and/or transit)
• are motivated and have skill sets to support the growth of Connect the Dots

We are looking for people in or willing to relocate to the Philly area. You can work remotely 2-3 days a week – and you will have access to our office in Center City. We work to create a team that is representative of the communities we serve and a workplace where diversity is fostered.

NOTE: This is not an entry level position. If you are interested in part-time, project based work, we are always building our extended team and are looking for people at any level. You can learn more here.

Project Work (~85% of role) 

Plan informed and creative engagement and public participation processes, tailored to each project: Design engagement and outreach processes and key tactics to spread the word and gather insights in a collaborative, thoughtful manner. This varies by and within communities so requires listening, research, conversations and collaboration with partners to develop the best-fit strategies. Adapt CtD’s tactics toolkit to specific project needs and creatively develop new tactics to ensure we are truly meeting people where they are, and ensuring accessibility and transparency. Plan and implement these strategies and tactics. Oversee and collaborate with staff and partners to accomplish.

Manage multiple projects in a highly organized, efficient, and collaborative manner: Manage small, medium, and large projects with varying timelines. Organize multiple aspects of multiple projects concurrently. Develop project plans, collaborate with a wide variety of clients, partners, and team members, use and maintain project schedules, budgets, and hour allocations. Organize multiple aspects of multiple projects concurrently. Clearly communicate challenges, updates, and progress throughout. Is able to adapt and shift plans as needed. Has a strong ability to manage staff and subcontractors, assigning tasks, following up, and ensuring high quality and timely work products.

Business Health and Growth (~15% of role) 

Support the continued growth and evolution of Connect the Dots: We are a small firm so all contribute to our internal workings in different ways. We love that each new member of the Connect the Dots team brings something new and special to our team that enables our development as a firm. This could relate to internal work from business development, to operations, or more. We look for an overlap between skill/experience and our needs to co-create this unique part of your role.

Experience and Skills 

Required: 

• Engagement Experience: Experience with large-scale and small-scale engagement and outreach processes and confidence developing, designing, and delivering workshops, outreach strategies, and mixed-methodology insight-gathering processes.
• Internal Communication & Leadership: Must be a strong leader, with skills in guiding and supporting teammates to deliver positive outcomes. Must be a strong communicator, both internally with the team and with partners. Must be able to easily work with team members, assign tasks, ensure accountability, enable collaboration, provide and receive feedback in an efficient, fair, and clear manner.
• People Management: Must be able to thoughtfully and effectively collaborate with partners, subcontractors, team members, and other stakeholders to anticipate roadblocks, pivot, make strategic decisions, and move projects along.
• Resource and Task Management: Must be highly organized with the ability to manage multiple people, projects, tasks, and deadlines simultaneously. Must be able to manage project budgets and associated resources in order to produce high-quality deliverables in a timely manner. Must be a strong strategist and planner with attention to detail.
• External Communication: Must be a strong writer and able to communicate with partners and the general public about projects in a clear and accessible manner, with the ability to distill complex information in a way that is engaging and understandable to different audiences.
• Community Building: Must be welcoming, open, and humble – able to build trust and relationships with community leaders and groups.
• Collaboration and Adaptability: Able to co-create outreach and engagement strategies and tools with the team to best connect with communities and gather input. Able to pivot, iterate, and adjust plans as needed. Must be a skillful negotiator and problem-solver.

Preferred: 

• Planning Experience: Some experience in planning, particularly transportation or transit.
• Language: Ability to speak another language, supporting outreach needs

IMPORTANT: We welcome qualified candidates from all walks of life and value diversity in our company. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, military service, disability unrelated to job requirements, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Compensation Package 

The role is a full-time, non-exempt position. Salary will be discussed openly to ensure commensurate with experience.

• Salary range: $65-70,000, dependent on experience.
• Hybrid and Flexible work: Ability to work remotely 2-3 days a week. CtD’s average work week is 40-45 hours; we naturally have peak times, and for those we have a recuperation time policy in place to ensure employees’ wellbeing
• Tech and Wellness Plan: $1,200 annual stipend (3 months after start) to support wellness and technical capacity needs.
• Monthly Health Insurance contribution of $200 per month, group insurance option.
• PTO Policy includes 11 Holidays (4 Roving), 15 Vacation Days at base level (with one additional added per year of service), and 5-6 days of additional Vacation via office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• Personal Development Plan including training opportunities
• Office and Office Amenities: Access to Bond Collective office space with many complimentary events and amenities – including a fitness center (by summer/fall)

Application Details 

Email the following to info@connectthedots.us with the subject line “Feb2024CtDPM [Your Name]”. PDF format preferred. Applications are due by March 17th, 2024 (midnight EST). Only complete application packages will be considered.

• Resume
• Letter of interest
• 3 work samples, including:
  • a writing sample
  • Insight-gathering/engagement plans or materials (e.g. workshop, survey)
• 2-3 professional references

POSITION TITLE: PLANNER II  

EXEMPT: YES  

DEPARTMENT: PLANNING COMMISSION  

POSITION REPORTING: COMMUNITY PLANNING MANAGER  

SALARY RANGE: $59,509 – $68,435 (depending on experience)  

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBLE: FLEXIBLE/HYBRID 

SUMMARY: This position requires the individual to be proficient in the terminology and application of the technical and political processes  concerned with the use of land, public welfare, and the design of the natural and built environment in general.  

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES in addition to all of the above shall include some combination of the following dependent upon stated  position: 

∙ Write zoning, land development, and subdivision regulations 

∙ Author and produce planning related documents such as, but not limited to, comprehensive, revitalization, parks &  recreation and other plans, studies, and reports 

∙ Have technical knowledge in land use, housing, transportation, open space, environmental, demographics, landscape  design, zoning, planning law, and related subjects 

∙ Attend and participate in public meetings, day or evening. 

∙ Work closely with municipal planning commissions and task forces, leading group discussions and building consensus to advance  planning goals; and undertake public outreach for comprehensive planning efforts and other planning initiatives.  

∙ Grant writing 

∙ Pursue continuing education, training, and workshops to further planning knowledge and stay up-to-date on current planning practices.  

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform all essential and specific duties  satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may  be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

∙ Master’s Degree in Planning or related field 

∙ Two to four (2-4) years of relatable work experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the  knowledge and abilities necessary to be successful in the position 

∙ Excellent written and verbal communications skills including public speaking 

∙ Good analytical, organizational, logical thinking and problem-solving abilities 

∙ Ability to use state of the art business and audio visual equipment 

∙ Ability to multi-task and willingness to take the initiative 

∙ Strong organizational skills and time management 

∙ Knowledge of essential professional office computer software to perform word processing, spreadsheet analysis, presentations, design  and ability to learn certain geographic information system functions 

∙ Have a valid driver’s license

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully  perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the  essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. Walking is required in field conditions  with uneven terrain to perform site visits, acquire information, and perform inspections or to attend meetings. The employee is occasionally  required to use hands to handle or feel objects. The employee is also required to kneel or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or  move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.  

The employee must be able to drive to various locations during the day or night and attend meetings that may last several hours.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while  performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the  essential function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  

TO APPLY ONLINE: Go to https://www.montcopa.org/Jobs.aspx – fill out the application form under the job posting. Please  submit a cover letter with your application.

Job Opening: Planning Services Manager
Department: Planning
Posting Date: October 6, 2023
Salary: $73,036.00 annual

SUMMARY

The Planning Services Section Manager is responsible for the management and administration of the planning services division, for promoting the County’s comprehensive plan and for providing technical and financial assistance to municipalities, historic preservation planning, housing planning programs, and county-wide land use studies.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Develop and promote work programs

 Participate in county-wide land use and planning studies

 Monitor workload, performance and provide feedback to department staff

 Develop work programs, contracts for service, contract monitoring, and promotion of the Vision Partnership Program

 Design and contribute to publications including annual reports, newsletters, and planning studies

 Attend contractual meetings including workshops and client hearings

 Manage department budget

 Provides guidance and respond to inquiries from stakeholders and constituents

 Prepare annual staff performance reviews

 Additional responsibilities as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EDUCATION

 Bachelor’s degree in City or Regional Planning, Public Administration, or related field from an accredited college or university

 Eight years of job-related progressive experience in community planning and management

 Excellent public relations skills

 Ability to deal with difficult personalities and confrontational situations

 Strong supervisory skills

 Strong management skills

 Strong leadership skills

 Excellent verbal and written communication skills

 Accurate and detail oriented

 Strong working knowledge of budgets, spreadsheets and interpreting audits

 Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds

 Ability to coordinate and direct work assignments

 Ability to establish priorities

 Ability to work on conceptual design and policy development

 A valid driver’s license is required

PREFERRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

 Master’s degree in Planning, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university

 Ten years of community planning experience

 AICP Certification (American Association of Certified Planners)

 Eight years of management and supervisory experience

 Eight years of project management experience

 Effective conflict resolution skills

 Excellent research and analysis ability

 Excellent budgetary and accounting skills

 Exceptional project management skills

 Strong time management skills

 Strong interpersonal skills

CONTACT

To apply, please fill out our online application form.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

At HNTB, you can create a career that is meaningful to you while building communities that matter to all of us. For more than a century, we have been delivering solutions for some of the largest, most complex infrastructure projects across the country. With our historic growth, it is an exciting time to join our team of employee-owners.

This opportunity entails being responsible for applying planning strategies utilizing various technologies and tools to gather and analyze data, assess outcomes, and develop reporting and visuals to effectively communicate findings. This position performs tasks for planning projects including research, studies, and documentation, coordinating with multi-discipline team members, from concept development through project completion. This position directs the technical production of planning assignments as task assignee and may serve as a Project Manager on a limited basis for select medium and large-scale projects. Coordinates with project manager, project designer and other disciplines on multiple large scale and complex transportation planning, urban design, or landscape architectural projects to ensure that the client’s technical requirements of projects are fully met.

What You’ll Do:

• Under minimal direction, performs a variety of more highly complex professional planning, environmental planning, landscape architecture and urban design project responsibilities, and leads technical tasks.
• Writes and/or reviews major sections of and leads production of plans, studies, reports, and environmental documents for projects. Coordinates and synthesizes the contributions of others.
• Leads, prepares, and reviews graphics, technical reports, work plans, scopes of work, fee proposals, and responses to Request for Proposals for projects. Prepares and reviews budgets, invoicing, and billing.
• Leads public and stakeholder engagement and presents information to the community.
• Provides guidance and mentors staff.
• Leads coordination with clients, sub-consultants, and in-house personnel on a regular basis to complete assigned tasks.
• Recommends process and system improvements that result in greater efficiencies, enhanced capacities, and improved service delivery.
• Supports department managers and office leadership with strategic planning, staffing/training, and other special projects.
• May serve as project manager or task lead.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, Planning, Environmental Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Geography, or related field and 10 years related experience, or
• Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, Planning, Environmental Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Geography, or related field and 9 yrs of relevant experience

What You’ll Bring:

• Provides consultation on research approaches, evaluation methodologies, and conclusions to make recommendations to less experienced staff or clients.
• Oversees the preparation of reports and provides consultation on structure and content, including conducting quality reviews. Presents and defends reports to audiences.
• Manages client meetings and oversees preparation or meeting materials without oversight from others.

What We Prefer:

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE), American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP), Professional Transportation Planner (PTP), Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), Envision, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click here for benefits information: HNTB Total Rewards

Click here to learn more about EOE including disability and vet

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

#JK #TransportationPlanning

Locations:

Philadelphia, PA (Pennsylvania)