City of Pittsburgh Seeking a Planning Manager

Job Position

Planning Manager (Development Review)

Description 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BUILDING A MORE JUST, EQUITABLE, AND RESILIENT PITTSBURGH?

We are looking for a Planning Manager (Development Review) who is passionate about working with Pittsburgh communities to dig into challenging issues and ignite local change. This position manages Development Review Staff, including zoning staff of the OneStopPGH Counter, to ensure high quality customer service for all levels of development review projects.

The Department of City Planning is a collaborative team of creative thinkers dedicated to building effective planning processes for our communities through land use, job creation, energy efficiency, community development, racial justice, and environmental health. This position is within the Zoning & Development Review Division, which staff’s the Planning Commission and Zoning Board, administers the Zoning Code, and coordinates policy development and plan implementation. The Division is diverse, team-oriented and collaborative.

The Planning Manager position will work closely with the Commission & Code Development team, Division and Department Leadership, and other members of the Department to find new strategies for engaging the community in the development review process in a thoughtful and meaningful way. There are also opportunities participate in the ongoing Zoning Code overhaul and contribute to policy development and analysis through Pittsburgh’s Comprehensive Planning process.

A successful candidate for this position should have:

• Background in land use planning, zoning, urban design/architecture, landscape architecture, community planning, or similar work;
• History of working effectively in a team setting, coordinating and/or participating in complex reviews and processes;
• Ability to work with and manage a diverse and team of reviewers.
• Ability to understand fundamental and emerging concepts in land use policy, form-based and performance-based zoning, and the principles of Just Transition;
• Strong communication and team-building skills; and
• Ability to work with a diverse cross-section of colleagues within City Planning and related departments, applicants for development, public officials, stakeholders, and community members.

Position Duties:

• Manages and directs the Development Review Team within the Zoning & Development Review Division.
• Oversees the review assignment system for planning and zoning applications in the online permitting system.
• Administers provisions of Zoning Ordinance and reviews applications, site plans, surveys, landscape plans, grading plans, deeds, and related documents for compliance with the applicable Zoning Code regulations, as needed.
• Develops and coordinates training of Development Review staff in online permitting system and Zoning Code review.
• Serves as a primary high-level contact and customer service provider for architects, engineers, developers, property owners and the public on applications for development.
• Leads and supports the development of standard operating procedures and policies for development review, training, permitting systems, and other relevant areas as needed.
• Works with the Zoning Administrator and other staff to make efficiency improvements to the online permitting system as needed.
• Works closely with the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI), the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI), and other City departments with permit and review coordination as needed.
• Collaborates with the PLI and DOMI leadership and other City leaders in developing efficiency improvements for the online permitting system and multi-agency review coordination.
• Maintains records, either manually or through automated systems, and prepares accurate reports, correspondence, etc. as requested or required.
• Performs activities and functions of related position and other related tasks/duties as assigned or required.

Requirements 

Your City of Pittsburgh application will be reviewed, and your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will be sent an eligibility letter regarding your eligible/ineligible status.

WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show five (5) years of full-time experience in City Planning, urban design, or neighborhood planning. (Full-time is defined as thirty-two (32) hours or more per week. Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)

EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a Master’s Degree from a fully accredited institution in Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related field. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).

EQUIVALENCY: Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted on a year for year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position (based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above). The Total Qualifying Requirement is eleven (11) years. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the cation of education/training).

General Application Requirements

• You must submit or show proof of all the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified.
• A completed online City of Pittsburgh Employment Application, including your online Employment Profile Data. (Education and Work Experience).
• Completed online City of Pittsburgh Supplemental Form questions for this position.
• A resume, to be submitted online.
• Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.

How to Apply 

Questions regarding this posting can be sent to Corey Layman at corey.layman@pittsburghpa.gov and you can apply online.