Planner III (Community Engagement)

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in Planning, Geography, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a planning related field, plus three (3) years of experience in 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 the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:
None
Notes to Applicants
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW :
Please learn more about our department and how we serve our community: What does the Watershed Protection Department do?

POSITION OVERVIEW :
The Planner III will provide planning, community engagement, and communication support to the Planning Division of the Watershed Protection Department ( WPD ). The Planning Division works on a wide variety of initiatives, including the department strategic plan and other city and regional planning efforts. The Planner III will focus on supporting an inclusive, equitable community engagement process to inform the update of the department strategic plan, known as Rain to River. To support this process, the position will serve as the primary liaison to community partners and organizations that work on environmental, community health, and safety issues. The Planner III will also perform research and data analysis to inform planning initiatives and will provide logistical support for the Planning Division.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION :
Job Offer is contingent on passing a Criminal Background Investigation.

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.

EDUCATION :
Verification of education will be conducted on the top candidate.

BENEFITS :
Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click here for more information.

ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION (Please read carefully):
When completing the City of Austin Employment Application:
Include details on the application or prior or current work history with the City of Austin.

• A cover letter is required, it does not substitute for a complete employment application.
• A detailed and complete employment application will help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position.
• Include details on the application of any previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications and relevant experience. Provide each job title and employment dates for all jobs on the application. Your work history should include duties you performed.
• Work history must include the month and year of employment and whether it was full or part-time work.

A DDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED :
Please submit three writing samples for this position.

• Please submit three work samples that illustrate your writing ability and experience with document and presentation design.
• Submit your writing sample under “Other Documents, Other Documents 2 and Media Presentation” in the Optional and Required Applicant Documents section of the application.
• Please note: Applications missing these three required documents will be considered incomplete and will not be considered.

Pay Range
$28.85 - $36.06

Hours
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.

May require working outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as dictated by business needs.
Job Close Date 07/17/2024 Type of Posting External Department Watershed Protection Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 505 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Familiarity with the principles of watershed, environmental, or urban planning.
• Experience organizing and participating in engagement activities to involve community groups, organizations, and members of the public.
• Ability to understand and communicate complex technical information to a diverse audience.
• Knowledge of systemic racism and experience applying an equity lens to planning and engagement work.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to track and manage complex processes.

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.


1. Researches information as requested and/or needed. Analyzes data to discover patterns and/or discrepancies.
2. Writes information reports. Writes/drafts legal documents, i.e. contracts, regulations, ordinance amendments, resolutions, etc.
3. Answers citizen questions and provide assistance. Speaks as City representative before boards, commissions, public groups, etc.
4. Reviews plats and site plans for compliance with policy codes, ordinances, standards, etc. Reviews traffic impact analyses.
5. Provides technical advice and assistance to citizens, contractors, departments, management, etc. Coordinates meetings between consultants, public, etc. and city staff. Coordinates division/section activities with other divisions/sections.
6, Interprets/explains/enforces city policies and procedures, building/land development codes specifications, ordinances, etc.
6. Conducts field checks to verify correctness of data. Reviews and evaluates various reports and studies. Maintain project files and records.
7. Develops short/long range plans.
8. Seeks/evaluates/recommends purchase of city property. Monitor contract expenditures.
9. Plans and develops survey instruments, i.e. questionnaires, rating scales, etc., and methodology for use.
10. Utilizes and modifies computer models and statistical packages for planning application.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
None
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 planning techniques.
• Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in use of computers and related software.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Skill in collecting, tabulating and analyzing demographics statistics.
• Ability to work under the pressure of rigid and/or short work cycle.
• Ability to apply statistical tools to data.
• Ability to maintain a degree of confidentially.
• Ability to give public presentations..
• Ability to explain and enforce city policies.
• Ability to develop and maintain current knowledge in procedural, ordinance, charter and changes in current job practices.
• 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.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in Planning, Geography, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a planning related field, plus three (3) years of experience in 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 the education up to the maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* Please summarize your experience or familiarity with watershed or environmental planning.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe a specific public engagement activity you helped organize and/or participated in. In your answer, describe your role, the goals of the activity, and the stakeholders engaged.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please provide an example of when you successfully communicated complex technical information to a diverse audience.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe how your experience demonstrates your commitment to advancing racial and social equity.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please provide an example that illustrates your attention to detail and ability to track and manage a complex process.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Other Document Other Document #2 Media Presentation Optional Documents

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