Community Development & Planning Specialist

Community Affairs, Department of•Atlanta, GA

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is seeking an Atlanta-based Community Development & Planning Specialist for its Community Development Team in the Office of Community Planning, Research, and Geoanalytics. This office implements various programs impacting city and county governments, regional commissions, local authorities, partner organizations, and internal clients. The role involves administering state requirements for local and regional comprehensive planning, service delivery strategies, development impact fees, annexation arbitration, and other programs. The position will manage the office’s educational offerings and outreach functions, including The Community Planning Institute (CPI), the PlanFirst program, and Community Planning Success Stories and Best Practices. The ideal candidate will be an experienced planner with a strong understanding of local government comprehensive planning processes and the needs of local officials. The role requires automobile travel around the state, including occasional overnight stays.

Requirements

Master's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university AND One year of experience required at the lower-level Prgm Consultant 1 (GSP090) OR any other combination of education and professional experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the job.
Direct experience with comprehensive planning, community planning, or local government planning processes, including an understanding of how Georgia local governments develop, adopt, and implement comprehensive plans.
Knowledge of Georgia, its communities, regional commissions, and the State’s processes/regulations related to local government management and operations (community planning, government finance, economic development, regulatory compliance, etc.).
Experience coordinating or managing educational programs, workshops, conferences, or multi-day training meetings involving local government officials and community stakeholders.
Excellent writing and presentation skills, with a high level of comfort speaking in public forums and facilitating training sessions.
Solid interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with local government officials, community stakeholders, and partner organizations.
Knowledge of Microsoft’s suite of office software, including experience with Excel and data analysis to interpret analytics and create actionable reports.
Attention to detail, excellent time management, organizational skills, and the ability to coordinate multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while maintaining strong coordination with team members.
Applicant must have and maintain the legal ability to drive a vehicle in the State of Georgia.
High school diploma/GED and one (1) year of experience required at the lower level Prgm Consultant 1 (GSP090) or any other combination of education and professional experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the job.

Nice To Haves

Degree in City/Urban/Regional Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, or another directly related field (Master's degree in Urban/Regional Planning strongly preferred).
AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification or active eligibility/candidacy, or another relevant professional certification.
Two or more years of direct professional planning experience working within a local government (city/county), regional commission, or consulting company serving these organizations in developing, reviewing, or implementing comprehensive plans.

Responsibilities

Manage the office’s educational offerings and outreach functions.
Oversee program coordination and workshop logistics for the Community Planning Institute.
Administer the State’s requirements related to local and regional comprehensive planning, service delivery strategies, development impact fees, annexation arbitration and filing of municipal annexation actions, Government Management Indicators Survey (GOMI), and several other programs.
Serve as a liaison between program staffers and primary partners (cities, counties, regional commissions, and authorities).