Planner, Principal (Climate And Resilience Program)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency that focuses on issues critical to the region’s success, including growth and development, transportation, water resources, services for older adults, and workforce solutions. ARC is dedicated to unifying the region’s collective resources to prepare the metropolitan area for a prosperous future. This is performed through professional planning initiatives, the provision of objective information, and the involvement of the community in collaborative partnerships.

ARC has an established track record of moving the region forward in the face of significant challenges such as water planning and management. The agency is influential with local governments that collectively stand to significantly impact the region's ability to take action on climate change, transition to a more decarbonized economy, and enhance the region’s climate resilience. In this way, ARC is uniquely positioned to offer a powerful combination of knowledge and resources to make a difference.

The Principal Planner will play a crucial role in ARC’s Climate and Resilience Program supporting and managing projects related to the Agency’s efforts to take action on climate change. This includes both mitigating climate change and assisting in the region’s transition to a lower carbon economy, as well as enhancing the region’s resilience to climate change and extreme weather events. The Principal Planner will support the development and planning of strategies that promote carbon reduction, energy efficiency enhancements, increase in renewables and electrification, as well as initiatives that support climate adaptation and Resilience. Responsibilities of the Principal Planner will involve collaboration with stakeholders, government agencies, and community partners, as well as internal departments, to drive sustainable initiatives and create a positive impact on the region’s communities and environment.

The Principal Planner will serve as the project manager over the Climate and Resilience Program which includes coordinating with local jurisdiction liaisons involved in project development and delivery; advising leadership on recommended actions and strategies to ensure project viability; coordinating with federal, state, regional and local partners and stakeholders; facilitating and chairing meetings; administering, implementing and advising on regulations; and serving as project manager for multiple projects across the agency related to taking action on climate change and Resilience to extreme weather events.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as a project manager for assigned regional plans, manages and supports projects to develop and execute strategies that increase and improve energy, carbon reduction, climate action, and Resilience planning and programming as part of the multi-discipline Climate and Resilience Team and related planning initiatives of ARC including transportation, clean energy, water resources, land development, mobility, aging and independence services, and workforce development;
• Serves as a liaison with federal, state and local officials; serves as project team member for projects undertaken by other groups and/or organizations; develops new strategies and initiatives; manages budgets and/or contracts; attends partner events; develops and manages project information including digital communications;
• Serves as a technical and/or subject-matter expert in assigned area of expertise; provides advice and consultation to partners and clients in the region; develops and nurtures relationships with partners and member organizations;
• Researches and interprets air quality, energy, resilience, and climate change state and federal legislation, rules, and legal decisions; where necessary, develops internal and external guidance. Assists in identifying new regional outreach initiatives based on research and needs of stakeholders;

• Serves as a lead worker over contract and/or temporary staff including coordinating hiring, managing work schedules and making/reviewing assignments;
• Convenes and facilitates meetings; prepares content and presentations; coordinates with communications staff to prepare talking points, photos and other information;
• Develops graphics and maps to support narrative information; presents data to internal/external partners;
• Develops and conducts training and workshops including course content, presentation, scheduling;
• Performs other duties assigned to support agency goals and objectives.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of federal, state, regional, and local climate change, energy, electrification, and greenhouse gas emissions rules, policies, legislation, and guidance;
• Knowledge of climate science, greenhouse gas emissions sources and reduction strategies, and best practices for municipal climate action planning;
• Strong project management experience;
• Knowledge of principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, public engagement, and coordination of people and resources;
• Ability to independently manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders;
• Ability to effectively manage budgets and schedules;
• Ability to effectively manage consultant teams;
• Ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team at ARC to develop climate action targets/goals for the region;
• Ability to independently think through assignments comprehensively and creatively;
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and precisely through a combination of oral, written and visual means;
• Ability to present to a variety of audiences, from small groups of internal technical staff to larger groups of external public and private stakeholders;
• Skilled in oral and written communications, as well as public speaking;
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
• Working effectively under pressure, with multiple deadlines and changing priorities;
• Authoring and preparing original reports, mapping products, technical documents and presentations;
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards (based on assignment);
• Providing customer service;
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications;
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and communication skills.
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in urban or regional planning, economics, architecture, landscape architecture or related field;
• Three (3) years of relevant professional planning experience.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATONS:

• Master’s degree in regional planning, energy management, climate science, climate change, resilience, natural resources, engineering, environmental science, sustainability, public administration, or other related field;

• Five (5) years of experience including direct experience in climate change, energy management, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, climate resilience and adaptation project or program management, or similar related experience;

• One year or more of Project Management experience;
• Previous experience working with local governments, including on/with energy and greenhouse gas emissions data and conservation and reduction strategies, and/or other climate change-related initiatives.

ARC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability in employment or the provision of services.