Planner Sr. (Climate Action and Sustainability) Full Time NEW

The Operational Sustainability team focuses on climate action, waste diversion, and strategic planning geared towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions for Travis County as an organization.

We are currently seeking a self-motivated, qualified Planner Sr. to lead our climate planning initiatives and assist the Program Manager in overseeing, implementing, and managing project work related to the program goals.

The Planner Sr. will plan, develop, and implement highly complex projects related to the County’s Climate Action Plan for internal operations. The position will work with staff across the County organization to collect data and information related to climate planning and other general sustainability initiatives. This role will be central to the program’s mission of moving the County towards greener, more sustainable business practices.

Work includes supervisory support duties, project management, program budgeting, strategic planning, relationship building, Climate Action Plan implementation and tracking, data analysis, and the development of an annual sustainability report, including a greenhouse gas inventory. This position may also have a supporting role in contract management and assisting with the program’s education and outreach initiatives.

Requirements will include strong written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and advanced computer skills. Knowledge of capturing and reporting emissions data is preferred. This position will also represent the program to elected officials and will sit on select committees. The Operational Sustainability Program offers flexible work hours, a mix of office and field work, as well as teleworking options.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the second in a series of three planner-related job classifications within the Planning and Research job family. This classification is distinguished by incumbents that typically have increased responsibility for planning, developing and implementing highly advanced complex projects and programs, and serving as project manager, and may make final decisions within areas of responsibility, and required additional education and experience.

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.
• Evaluates and coordinates projects and programs. Monitors project and program issues, 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.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

None required.

Preferred:

Certification by the American Institute of Planners.

Fluent in Spanish

Understanding of climate action planning and sustainability practices

Working knowledge of capturing and reporting emissions data

Knowledge of contract administration

Experience in education and outreach

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.

Skill in:

• Developing short-range and long-range comprehensive plans in development of innovative solutions.
• 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.

Ability to:

• 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.

Work Hours: 8 am – 5 pm, Monday-Friday.

Location: 700 Lavaca, Austin, TX 78701

Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact:

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.