Planner Principal - Austin Planning - Demographics and Data

City of Austin

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Planner Principal manages the City’s planning activities in regional, urban, and transportation planning. Within Austin Planning’s Demographics & Data Division, the position leads demographic and geospatial analysis; coordinates project and personnel assignments; defines project scopes; manages data; develops standard operating procedures; and ensures projects are accurate, impactful, and timely. The role supports the city demographer and oversees and prepares reports, data visualizations, and presentations for City Council, the Mayor, the City Manager’s Office, City staff, and the public.

The position coordinates planning work across divisions, sections, and departments; develops and evaluates plans and project criteria; reviews statistical reports and analyzes market and economic conditions; and develops short- and long-range plans. It represents the City before boards, commissions, and public groups, participates in committees and task forces, responds to complex citizen questions, and provides technical assistance to citizens, contractors, departments, and management. It also develops policies and procedures, assists with budgets and grant application recommendations, and manages division and section activities. The position has full supervisory responsibilities, including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommending dismissal.

A hybrid schedule is available. The position may require evening and weekend meetings. The physical work location is 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas. Travel to multiple locations may be required as part of regular duties.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Planning, Geography, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a planning-related field.
• Six years of experience in planning-related work, including two years with lead or supervisory responsibilities.
• Twelve semester hours of relevant graduate coursework may substitute for six months of required experience, up to a maximum of two years.
• Knowledge of community and urban planning principles; federal and state laws relating to planning and urban development; City practices, policies, and procedures; supervisory and managerial techniques; and fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Oral and written communication, multitasking, prioritization, computer and related software, data analysis, problem-solving, planning, and organizational skills.
• Ability to make formal presentations, explain and enforce City policies, exercise balanced judgment, maintain confidentiality, work amid frequent interruptions and changing priorities, and establish and maintain good working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in project management, project scoping, milestone monitoring, and quality assurance.
• Experience managing, analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing data, including geospatial data.
• Experience coordinating and facilitating work groups and discussions with varied stakeholders.
• Experience working with data on racial and ethnic disparities in local, state, or national contexts, and engaging stakeholders in challenging discussions about racial identity, implicit bias, systemic racism, and structural inequities.
• Experience with ESRI ArcGIS Pro or equivalent software.
• Experience performing demographic methods and analysis with Census Bureau data.
• Experience with R, Python, SQL, or other programming languages.
• Experience with Microsoft Power Suite, including Power BI and Power Automate.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate division and section activities with other divisions, sections, and departments.
• Develop and evaluate plans, criteria, and other materials for projects and programs.
• Review statistical reports and analyze market and economic conditions.
• Develop short- and long-range plans.
• Serve on committees, task forces, and similar groups.
• Represent the City before boards, commissions, and public groups.
• Answer complex citizen questions and provide assistance.
• Provide technical advice and assistance to citizens, contractors, departments, and management.
• Develop policies, procedures, and operating procedures.
• Assist in developing division and section budgets and recommend grant application approval.
• Manage division and section activities.
• Perform supervisory duties, including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendations for dismissal.
• Lead demographic and geospatial analysis in the Demographics & Data Division.
• Coordinate project and personnel assignments and define project scopes of work.
• Manage data, establish standard operating procedures, and ensure projects are accurate, impactful, and timely.
• Support the city demographer and oversee and prepare demographic reports, data visualizations, and presentations for varied audiences.
• Respond to demographic data requests from City Council and the Mayor, the City Manager’s Office, City staff, and the public.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Paid leave time.
• Competitive retirement plan through the City of Austin Employees’ Retirement System.
• Training opportunities.
• Work-life balance programs.
• Wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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