Chief of City Mapping

City of New York • New York, NY

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief of City Mapping will lead the City Map Team as it is formed and establish its workflows and internal processes. In consultation with Technical Review Division (TRD) leadership and with broad latitude for independent judgment, the Chief will support the Director of the Department of City Planning (DCP) in the Director’s charter-mandated role as Custodian of the City Map. The role focuses on maintaining and amending the official City Map, coordinating with the team responsible for the Zoning Map, and helping digitize the City’s paper-based map records.

The Chief will recruit, coach, and manage the day-to-day work of a team of up to six engineers and city planners. The position also involves reviewing the work of private surveyors, engineers, and lawyers; advising applicants, agency staff, the City Planning Commission, and other City agencies; and coordinating with City agencies and utilities. The Chief will work with DCP offices, Borough Presidents, and other agencies on converting paper City Map materials into a unified citywide digital map.

As a DCP manager, the Chief will build and develop teams, supervise staff assignments and performance, ensure compliance with City and agency policies, manage team work programs, coordinate stakeholder engagement and communications, provide strategic and policy direction, and support planning informed by analytics, research, and analysis. The position may be eligible for remote work up to two days per week under the City’s Remote Work Pilot Program. Consideration is limited to candidates with permanent Civil Service status in the Administrative City Planner title, candidates reachable on the Administrative City Planner active list, or candidates serving in a comparable civil service title.

Requirements

• Only candidates with permanent Civil Service status in the Administrative City Planner title, candidates reachable on the Administrative City Planner active list, or candidates serving in a comparable civil service title may be considered.
• Authorization to work in the United States is required; the City does not offer employment sponsorship.
• Administrative City Planner qualification: a bachelor's degree from an accredited college and four years of full-time city-planning experience, including at least 18 months in a managerial capacity, or equivalent education and/or experience. A bachelor's degree and 18 months of managerial experience in city planning are required of all candidates.
• A graduate degree in city planning or a related field may substitute for up to two years of non-managerial experience, year for year. Graduation from an accredited U.S. law school may substitute for two years of non-managerial experience.
• Applicants are responsible for meeting minimum qualifying requirements at the time of application; appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget approval.

Nice To Haves

• At least three years of successful managerial experience supervising complex technical or operational teams, with organization, accuracy, and efficiency central to the work.
• Experience making high-level decisions that affect work plans and processes.
• Ability to monitor and coordinate multiple highly technical projects simultaneously, meet strict deadlines, and respond quickly to departmental priorities.
• Strong attention to detail in research, analysis, and review of written materials and plans.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with people in different roles and with different personalities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience coaching, motivating, and managing a highly skilled team.
• Experience with land survey techniques and road design.
• Experience with development and New York City land-use review processes.
• Prior experience maintaining and amending the New York City Map.
• A valid New York State Professional Engineer license is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Establish workflows, procedures, and standards for maintaining and amending the New York City Map, and continually improve team practices and City policies in consultation with agency leadership and external stakeholders.
• Recruit, coach, and manage the day-to-day operations of a team of up to six engineers and city planners.
• Coordinate the City Map Team and Mapping and Spatial Records team with TRD leadership to support operations for both the City Map and Zoning Map.
• Consult on and review work by private surveyors, engineers, and lawyers, enforcing required standards, protocols, and conventions.
• Serve as a City Map expert and provide technical assistance and advice to private applicants, department staff, the City Planning Commission, and other City agencies.
• Liaise with City agencies and utilities that interact with the City Map, including the Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection, Parks and Recreation, and Law.
• Coordinate with TRD, DCP offices, Borough Presidents, and other City agencies to scan and digitize paper City Map materials into a unified citywide digital map.
• Build cohesive teams and integrate new staff into division and team structures.
• Supervise and track staff projects and assignments, ensure staff meet work goals, provide guidance and constructive feedback, complete performance appraisals on time, and ensure compliance with City and agency policies.
• Manage and outline team and staff work programs; oversee stakeholder engagement and outreach; support communications; provide strategic and policy direction; and plan using analytics, research, and analysis.
• Perform related tasks as needed.

Benefits

• Professional development opportunities are supported by DCP.
• The position may be eligible for remote work up to two days per week under the Remote Work Pilot Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager