Planner III - Austin Planning - District Planning

City of Austin

9d • $31 - $39 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Austin Planning Department seeks a Planner III to perform professional planning work for the City under general direction, including zoning, urban, transportation, and/or site planning. The department’s mission is to provide equitable, people-centered planning services and shape an Austin where everyone can thrive.

This role focuses on district-scale planning, which connects comprehensive planning with smaller-area planning. As part of a team, the Planner conducts background research and analysis, prepares draft planning reports, updates, and presentations, assesses plan areas, and develops plan updates. The role collaborates with plan partners to align District Plans and associated plans with best practices; creates plan and meeting materials; reviews projects for plan compliance; and develops and implements community engagement and outreach approaches. The Planner also identifies risks and develops responses, and performs other planning activities that support equitable planning in the department.

The position may require evening and weekend meetings. A hybrid schedule is available. The physical work location is 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas. Travel to multiple locations may be required as part of regular duties when the employee meets the City’s Driver Safety Standards; otherwise, the employee is responsible for transportation to those locations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in Planning, Geography, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a planning-related field, plus three years of experience in planning-related work.
• Twelve semester hours of relevant graduate coursework may substitute for six months of required experience, up to a maximum substitution of two years.
• Planning-related work experience may substitute for education, up to a maximum of four years.
• Knowledge of community and urban planning principles, federal and state laws related to planning and urban development, planning techniques, and City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Oral and written communication skills; ability to give public presentations and explain and enforce City policies.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritize, organize, and work under pressure with rigid or short work cycles, frequent interruptions, and changing priorities.
• Computer skills, including the use of computers and related software; ability to apply statistical tools to data and collect, tabulate, and analyze demographic statistics.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, develop and maintain current knowledge of procedures, ordinances, charter provisions, and changes in job practices, and establish and maintain good working relationships with City employees and the public.

Nice To Haves

• Experience and proficiency analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing data using tools such as GIS, Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word, and Excel), Power BI, SketchUp, Adobe Acrobat Pro, InDesign, Illustrator, or similar tools.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively while supporting project planning activities and meeting deadlines.
• Experience collaborating, communicating, and facilitating dialogue with stakeholders from varied backgrounds and areas of interest, including boards and commissions, community organizations, and people whose voices have historically been excluded from planning processes.
• Experience or knowledge of planning at multiple scales, from comprehensive planning to area planning such as corridor, district, neighborhood, and station-area plans, and applying inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility principles in planning work.
• Experience in technical writing for planning, including preparing and reviewing area or comprehensive plans and policy documentation focused on land use and/or community development.

Responsibilities

• Research requested or needed information and analyze data to identify patterns or discrepancies.
• Write information reports and draft legal documents, including contracts, regulations, ordinance amendments, and resolutions.
• Answer citizen questions and provide assistance; represent the City before boards, commissions, public groups, and similar audiences.
• Review plats and site plans for compliance with policies, codes, ordinances, and standards, and review traffic impact analyses.
• Provide technical advice and assistance to citizens, contractors, departments, and management.
• Coordinate meetings among consultants, the public, and City staff, and coordinate activities with other divisions or sections.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce City policies and procedures, building and land-development codes, specifications, and ordinances.
• Conduct field checks, review and evaluate reports and studies, and maintain project files and records.
• Develop short- and long-range plans.
• Seek, evaluate, and recommend purchases of City property; monitor contract expenditures.
• Plan and develop survey instruments and methodologies for their use.
• Use and modify computer models and statistical packages for planning applications.
• Conduct background research and analysis on district-planning approaches and considerations.
• Develop draft planning reports, updates, presentations, and plan and meeting content, including text, illustrations, tables, photographs, charts, and graphs.
• Conduct plan-area assessments and develop resulting plan updates.
• Collaborate with plan partners to align District Plans and associated plans with best practices.
• Review projects for plan compliance.
• Develop and implement community engagement and outreach strategies and techniques for visual, written, virtual, and in-person settings.
• Identify, plan, and develop responses to risks and support other planning activities as needed.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Paid leave time.
• Competitive retirement plan through the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
• Training opportunities and professional development.
• Work-life balance programs.
• Wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
• Access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
• Modern workspaces.

What This Job Offers

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