Planner Sr. (Cdbg)

Job Summary

Health and Human Services (HHS) serves the community under the guidance of the Commissioners Court. We address community needs through internal and external investments and services. We strive to maximize quality of life for all people in Travis County by protecting vulnerable populations, investing in social and economic well-being, building a shared understanding of our community, and promoting healthy physical, behavioral and environmental living. The Travis County Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") Program works for serve low-to moderate income residents in unincorporated Travis County, as well as small cities participating in the County's CDBG program.
Performs professional planning work, including planning, developing and implementing highly advanced complex projects and programs with broad scope, and major political, public health, safety, or welfare, transportation, parks, land development and the environment, community health, and/or strategic plan impact, and serves as project manager. Plans, develops, scopes/phases, and implements new, enhanced, improved, or revised existing work, training, information systems or related technologies, or related short-range and/or long-range goals and objectives, strategies, strategic plans, standards, policies and procedures, continuous improvement, and budgets for highly complex advanced projects and programs. Serves as project manager and oversees major projects.
This role requires exceptional time management skills, as it involves consistently meeting various internal and external deadlines. The successful candidate will be adept at prioritizing tasks in a dynamic environment and ensuring timely completion of all projects. A strong ability to work efficiently under pressure and adhere to due date-driven objectives is essential.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, develops, scopes/phases, and implements new, enhanced, improved, or revised existing work, training, information systems or related technologies, or related short-range and/or long-range goals and objectives, strategies, strategic plans, standards, policies and procedures, continuous improvement, and budgets for highly complex advanced projects and programs. Serves as project manager and oversees major projects, such as the CDBG ConPlan, Urban County Renewal Process, the annual CAPER, and/or the annual Action Plan.
• Conducts fair housing analysis for a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) in support of low-income housing tax credit projects, which may include extensive research, interpreting data, synthesizing information, etc.
• Evaluates and coordinates projects and programs. Monitors project and program issues, such as Davis-Bacon-wage compliance and reviews plans and strategies for future project and program planning requirements.
• Manages highly advanced and complex projects and programs with broad scope, and major political, public health, safety, or welfare, transportation, parks, land development and the environment, community development, community health and/or strategic plan impact. Maintains responsibility for administration and recommendations for the complex research, rules, directives, policies and procedures, planning issues, operations, related budget issues and efficient methods, plans and designs. Oversees the analysis, operational issues, development and integration.
• Interprets and applies planning standards, principles, policies and procedures, practices, codes, Federal, State and Local applicable laws, codes, rules and regulations.
• Performs database management. Maintains databases and tracking and reporting systems.
• Performs complex project and program research and effectiveness evaluation, including statistical analysis, performance measures, goals accomplished, timetables, outcomes, and outputs to include selecting appropriate research design methods, techniques and procedures, setting up data for compiling and managing data, and data manipulation and analysis.
• Prepares and produces written summarizes, documents, and statistical and other reports to include conclusion and recommendations. Coordinates the development of and conducts presentations of complex analysis results before the public, Elected Officials and Commissioners Court.
• Interacts by working in partnership, on a regular basis, with community representatives or groups, departments, and outside agencies to obtain information, assessments, identify needs, and determine and ensure effectiveness and consistency of planning and meeting expectations. Ensures project phases are implemented according to timelines.
• Serves as liaison to various working groups, offices, governmental agencies and other departments. Applies skill and understanding to provide advice and problem-solving assistance. Answers questions and projects and program goals and policy interpretation. Responds to difficult inquires and complaints.
• Uses complex computer applications and management information systems.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Planning, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Public Policy/Administration, Government, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Business Administration or a directly related field AND six (6) years increasingly responsible experience with strategic planning, planning, research, project management, policy research and program development, including one (1) year of supervisory experience;
OR,
Master's degree in Planning, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Public Policy/Administration, Government, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Business Administration or a directly related field AND four (4) years increasingly responsible experience strategic planning, planning, research, project management, policy research and program development, including one (1) year of supervisory experience;
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
PREFERRED (NOT REQUIRED):
Certification by the American Institute of Planners (AICP)
Bilingual in English and Spanish
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Public Administration and governmental agencies.
• Legislative process.
• Principles and techniques of planning.
• Modern planning research methods, data collection and analysis.
• Issues pertaining to area of assignment.
• Strategic planning techniques.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Sources of information, current literature, and recent developments.
• Administrative and related business principles.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, statistical packages, presentation/ graphics and related software applications.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.
• Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS) (preferred, not required)

• Developing (and writing) short-range and long-range comprehensive plans in development of innovative solutions.
• Drafting program policies and procedures.
• Program planning, developing and implementing.
• Statistical analysis and policy research.
• Analyzing and evaluating data, policies and technical issues.
• Setting up systems for conducting analysis and compiling for reports.
• Coordinating the development and making presentations.
• Coordinating work of others.
• Conducting interviews and group meetings.
• Both verbal and written communication.

• Initiate and develop projects and programs.
• Apply knowledge to data, policy, and process analysis.
• Reach sound conclusions and make recommendations.
• Manage time well and perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Formulate broad perspectives.
• Interpreting planning and program objectives to groups and public.
• Bring together several viewpoints into a balanced position.
• Compile data and to write clear and comprehensive reports.
• Maintenance of appropriate records.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 5 - 20 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, occasional indoor/outdoor activities, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Work Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM; Monday through Friday.
Location: 5325 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX
Department: Health & Human Services
Criminal Background Check, Driving Record, Education, and Employment History Check required.