Employment Opportunities

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities for all levels:

• Perform professional work related to a variety of planning assignments, which could be in the areas of natural/water resources planning, community development, hazard mitigation, housing, transportation, and others.
• Collaborate with local governments, community organizations, and agencies to support partnerships and resource-sharing.
• Engage with community members and other stakeholders to gather input and feedback on projects.
• Attend and observe public meetings, workshops, and hearings related to planning initiatives. Attend daytime and evening meetings across the region as needed.
• Schedule and conduct meetings with advisory boards and elected officials.
• Present reports and other findings to staff, boards, commissions, and elected officials and serve as liaison.
• Identify federal and state grant opportunities related to housing and community development.
• Prepare grant applications, ensuring all requirements are met.
• Assist the Program Director in managing the grant application process, including tracking deadlines and submissions.
• Assist the Program Director in overseeing grant compliance, reporting, and auditing.
• Assist the Program Director in managing projects from inception to completion, including budgeting and scheduling.
• Assist the Program Director in managing financial records and preparing reimbursement requests.
• Coordinate with external consultants, architects, and contractors as needed.
• Work both independently and as a member of a team, both in-person and remotely.

Additional for Planner I:
Performs entry-level planning and research work. Works under close supervision of a senior planner and involves professional-level duties and judgement. The Planner I may:

• Conduct general research, collect data, and prepare reports.
• Prepare maps, charts, tables, and/or graphics.
• Attend public meetings, assisting other planning staff as appropriate.
• Assist other staff in performing work of greater complexity.

Additional for Planner II:
Performs professional planning work of moderate difficulty. The position is characterized by increasingly specialized knowledge of the planning field and a more elevated level of required duties and responsibilities compared with the Planner I. The Planner II works under moderate supervision and is expected to possess more in-depth knowledge within one or more planning specialties such as multi-modal planning, transportation planning, or comprehensive planning. Employees at this level may rely on direction from others to solve nonstandard problems, may routinely assist other staff in performing work of greater complexity, and may:

• Conduct extensive research in specific project areas.
• Provide technical planning assistance to local, regional, or state entities.
• Write and present formal and technical reports, working papers, and correspondence
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Develop short-range and long-range regional plans, projects, or programs.
• Represent the TJPDC at public meetings and special events.
• Schedule and conduct meetings with advisory boards and elected officials.
• Provide assistance to the Program Director in managing the grant application process, including writing grant proposals; in overseeing grant compliance, reporting, and auditing; in managing projects from inception to completion; and in managing financial records and preparing reimbursement requests.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, is qualifying. Preferences may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum. A typical way to obtain the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited four-year college or university in planning, public administration, or a related field.
• Progressively responsible, full-time planning experience (years’ experience by level): Planner I: Less than two (2) years; Planner II: Greater than two (2) years.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) knowledge/experience or a willingness to learn GIS preferred.