Planner (Regional Housing Coordination)

Denver Regional Council of Governments•Denver, CO

10d

About The Position

The Planner (Regional Housing Coordination) provides professional-level planning services and researches and analyzes data for long-range regional planning. The position collaborates with regional partners and stakeholders, maintains effective working relationships, makes recommendations on planning and implementation initiatives, and coordinates program activities and related funding. The Planner contributes to updates and implementation of Metro Vision, DRCOG’s long-range plan for regional growth and development, and supports implementation of the Regional Housing Strategy. The role helps local governments and other partners advance local and regional goals, particularly through greater housing and transportation coordination. It also supports a regional community of planning practice that encourages innovation and knowledge sharing, and helps build DRCOG’s role in regional and local housing. The Planner coordinates projects and leads tasks that build the capacity of local governments and other stakeholders, including through direct or consultant technical assistance. The position represents DRCOG on committees and advisory groups, facilitates meetings, prepares materials and reports, develops functional plans, creates maps and data visualizations, and presents findings and recommendations. Specific assignments may vary with the needs of the Division.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning, geography, public administration, or a directly related field, and two to four years of related professional planning experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties.
Knowledge of urban and regional planning principles and practices, program administration and management, qualitative and quantitative research, critical thinking and analysis, and local and regional planning practices and trends.
Knowledge of effective communication techniques, modern budget practices, and computer hardware and software, potentially including Microsoft Office, internet applications, and GIS.
Knowledge of basic stakeholder engagement principles and methods.
Ability to manage projects or programs; gather and analyze data; determine findings and recommendations; and interpret, monitor, and report financial and project-related information.
Ability to prepare original reports, documents, and presentations; interpret and apply laws, regulations, and organizational policies; and provide excellent customer service.
Ability to use computers and relevant software and communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, external stakeholders, and the public.
Ability to contribute to concurrent planning initiatives at different stages of completion and facilitate meetings and workshops.
Creative problem-solving skills to gather information and address vaguely defined practical problems.
Clear, concise verbal and written communication for varied audiences and ability to manage collaborative relationships with partners and project stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Planning practice experience in one or more of these areas: transit-oriented development, housing, health and the built environment, social determinants of health, age-friendly communities, corridor and center/node land use planning, or the transportation/land use connection.
AICP certification is encouraged and directly supported by DRCOG.

Responsibilities

Research and analyze data and information for long-range regional planning and to evaluate, inform, and improve regional planning activities.
Collaborate with regional partners and stakeholders, maintain productive relationships, and communicate regularly with internal and external stakeholders.
Make recommendations on regional planning and implementation initiatives and programs.
Provide professional-level planning services for internal and external planning projects and represent DRCOG on committees and advisory groups.
Coordinate and implement program activities and related funding.
Lead and facilitate meetings with planning partners; prepare and distribute materials; and develop recommendations and reports based on input.
Assist with regional plans and lead development of functional plans; prepare maps, charts, and data visualizations; and present findings and recommendations.
Provide technical assistance to local governments and other regional stakeholders to develop strategies advancing local and regional goals.
Research best practices, trends, and technologies; identify potential funding opportunities; and recommend implementation approaches.
Participate in updating and adapting Metro Vision and help local governments and partners implement it.
Participate in implementation of the Regional Housing Strategy and help partners work toward greater housing and transportation coordination.
Support a planning community that encourages innovation and knowledge sharing among local government officials, staff, and regional planning partners.
Coordinate projects and lead tasks that build local government and stakeholder capacity to implement Metro Vision, including through direct or consultant technical assistance.
Assist with projects and tasks supporting DRCOG’s role in regional and local housing.
Perform other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.