Principal Planner

Job Description

Direct, coordinate, participate in, and review professional planning activities and operations for highly complex and high-impact planning projects within the assigned department; coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies, and the general public; and provide highly responsible and complex staff assistance to assigned higher-level management staff.
The Transit Department is in an exciting phase of renewal and growth, and the Principal Planner will play a critical role in leading upcoming projects and collaborating with other agencies. Upcoming projects requiring the Principal Planner's leadership include a complex joint development project with a private developer to build affordable housing alongside a major upgrade to our Uptown Transit Center, planning, designing, and building new park & ride facilities, developing plans for rehabilitating an entire 7-acre operations and maintenance facility, and reinvigorating the area around ABQ RIDE's multi-modal transit center in downtown Albuquerque.
The Principal Planner will regularly collaborate with the Mid-Region MPO, Bernalillo County, the City's Planning Department, and other local agencies on efforts ranging from long-range planning to participation in corridor studies to review of individual site development plans. These efforts will elevate public transit as a key component of increasing housing availability and affordability in transit corridors, strengthening equity and economic vitality, improving safe and accessible multi-modal facilities, striving toward the City's Vision Zero goals, and encouraging sustainable travel patterns.

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include, but are not limited to thefunctions listed below. Must be able to perform the essential functions of thejob with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Direct, coordinate, participate in and review the work plan for assigned planning projects; assigns work activities; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.

• Develop project work programs and supervise major planning projects; create and manage project teams.

• Conduct special research on a variety of planning related issues; gather data for evaluating proposed planning projects; analyze data and recommend alternative development scenarios.

• Write, negotiate and manage requests for proposals and consultant contracts; review proposed programs from other agencies; recommend modifications.

• Assist in selecting, training, motivating and evaluating assigned project personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.

• Participate in the development of the City's long term planning goals and objectives as they relate to assigned projects; prepare planning recommendations for assigned projects to meet these goals and objectives.

• Review major land and infrastructure development plans by outside agencies and recommend any necessary redesign for compliance with the City's long term planning goals and objectives.

• Provide staff assistance and technical counsel to higher level management staff; participate on a variety of committees; prepare and present staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary.

• Coordinate planning activities with those of other divisions and outside agencies and organizations.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:

• Attend and participate in a variety of group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of planning.

• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Education and experience directly related to the minimum requirements below may be interchangeable on a year for year basis.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban/regional planning, architectural design or a related field; and
Six (6) years of managerial planning experience; and
To include three (3) years supervisory experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.Possession of a valid City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.
Environmental:
Office environment; exposure to computer screens.
Physical:
Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time.