Job Information
Salt Lake City Corporation Senior Planning Strategist, Public Lands in Salt Lake City, Utah
Position Title:
Senior Planning Strategist, Public Lands
Job Description:
Join the Public Lands Department's Planning & Design Division! We are landscape architects and planners working on the design, planning, funding, and capital project implementation of parks, trails, and open spaces in Salt Lake City. With unprecedented funding from two bonds, parks impact fees, and CIP, you will be working on exciting projects that help to fulfill the public’s vision and goals as expressed in “Reimagine Nature”, the Public Lands Master Plan.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
This brand new position helps to plan for the expenditure of capital funding, possibly including impact fees, general funds, and/or other sources; manage and advise on site and master planning projects; update needs assessments; and develop standards and processes for internal teams.
The application period will be open until 11:59 pm on September 18, 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide references, three work samples, and/or a written response before interviews (likely during the week of September 30, 2024) are scheduled.
Please include a detailed resume and cover letter as part of your application package.
POSITION SALARY RANGE
$79,633 - $108,731 Annually based on qualifications and experience.
This position is eligible for city benefits, including but not limited to:
Health Insurance (95% of premium paid by city)
Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
Paid vacation and personal leave
Six weeks of paid parental leave from day one of employment
Retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k)
A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually
Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services
JOB DESCRIPTION
Plans for the expenditure of capital funding, possibly including impact fees, general funds, and/or other sources.
Leads on the strategic matching of funding opportunities to projects needing funds, including considerations of project readiness, equity, land use, access, and input from city leadership and the public. Assists in securing grants and other external funding. Directs the preparation of complex grant applications for local, state, and federal funding sources.
Develops and updates their respective department’s or division’s ten-year aspect of the City’s Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) working collaboratively with other departments and divisions; also considering input from city leadership and the public. Leads the incorporation of department or division input on updates to the Impact Fee Facilities Plan (IFFP). Develops and facilitates their department’s or division’s annual funding requests, including initiating collaboration across other divisions and departments and with external partners, to the Capital Improvement Program and other annual funding sources.
Researches and reviews information on potential or current issues and meets with managers, staff, and others to address and/or resolve the same. May be responsible for ensuring that the City’s approach to project initiation, design, and public engagement is up to date and incorporates best professional practices.
May identify, research, and analyze public policy proposals and legislation related to the work of their respective department or division. Prepares staff reports that review policy implications and identify ties to policy directions/statements previously made by the Mayor and/or the City Council. Prepares cartographic and other graphic data as needed.
Performs planning analysis for complex projects to ensure implementation of Master Plan and other City-wide adopted goals, policies, and ordinance regulations. Assists other team members in the development and implementation of project scopes and designs in keeping with these guiding documents.
Plans for their department’s or division’s capital, property acquisition, and asset management needs, in coordination with various leaders and staff.
Develops new procedures, standards, and processes; gathers, organizes, analyzes, and verifies information; develops oral and written presentations to identify issues and recommend options to internal leaders and local and regional partners; and works with members of the administration and the public.
Performs complex strategic and analytical work in planning for and addressing capital, funding, and asset management needs in a consistent, data-driven, and fiscally responsible way.
Coordinates and/or assists with the equitable development of other planning efforts, such as site plans, planning-level design, needs assessments, vision plans, and others’ planning.
Convenes collaboration with internal and external partners on the department’s or division’s areas of interest. May represent the department or division on regional committees and serves as a liaison for regional and state partners, with particular involvement in regional and state plans.
Provides content and policy recommendations for their department’s or division’s respective advisory boards, in collaboration with directors and staff. Coordinates the process and/or prepares and presents professional staff reports for the Mayor, City Council, Planning Commission, advisory boards and various committees, and the public.
Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of Urban Planning; Public Administration; Political Science; Geography; Environmental Studies; Landscape Architecture; Parks, Recreation & Tourism; Finance; or a closely related field.
Six years of progressively responsible experience in city planning, policy, project management, and/or financial or asset management, with an emphasis on project and/or program management. Related education and experience may be substituted one for the other on a year for year basis; however, must include a minimum of three years of experience in the coordination or management of various planning and/or capital projects.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal government processes, and community organizing/planning. Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with all levels of staff and management in the public and private sectors.
Strong understanding of budgeting, municipal finance, and capital planning.
Strong communication and public presentation skills.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and interdependently with initiative, reliability, and appreciation of others’ contributions.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following qualifications.
A Master’s degree, or higher, in Urban Planning; Public Administration; Political Science; Geography; Environmental Studies; Landscape Architecture; Parks, Recreation & Tourism; Finance; or a closely related field.
Experience organizing and managing diverse teams.
Experience working in municipal or other local government contexts.
Experience planning, designing, and constructing (or managing construction of) public infrastructure project.
Experience working with geographic information systems (GIS), asset management, data analysis/synthesis, and data visualization, or similar mapping, design, and forecasting programs.
Real property, real estate, and/or land use planning expertise and/or experience.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Light to moderate physical effort. Mostly comfortable working positions, handling light weights, intermittent sitting, standing, and walking. Occasional exposure to environmental hazards related to onsite assessments.
Occasional exposure to environmental hazards related to onsite assessments.
Exposure to stressful situations and stress as a result of human behavior and various responsibilities.
Regularly required to work nontraditional hours to attend, conduct, or present planning information or recommendations to citizen or community councils, advisory commissions and committees or the City Council.
Hybrid work schedule, subject to change.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
POSITION TYPE
Full-Time
DEPARTMENT
Public Lands
Full Time/Part Time:
Full time
Scheduled Hours:
40
Need help applying? Please call our Recruitment team at 801-535-6699 or email careers@slc.gov .
BENEFITSFull-Time roles with Salt Lake City Corp are eligible for a generous, robust benefits package including:
Health Insurance (95% of premium paid by city)
HSA or Flex Account (HSA – City contributes $1,000 - $2,000 annually into account, no match required)
Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
City-paid retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k)
A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually
Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services
Wellness clinic for employees and their families
Paid Time Off
12 vacation days to start
12 paid holidays & 1 personal holiday
Up to 80 hours of personal leave annually
6 weeks of paid parental leave to all new parents
Additional time off credit possible for rehires or new hires coming from another public jurisdiction
VETERAN EMPLOYER:
Salt Lake City is proud to be a partner of the Utah Patriot Program, providing employment opportunities for Veterans, Military and spouses. We are also a proud National Service Partner.
ABOUT SALT LAKE CITY CORP
Our Salt Lake City family serves a population of over 200,000. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the City is committed to providing resources, access, and opportunity to all and continue to recruit and retain talented people from all backgrounds. Our employees make a real difference with the work they do every day and are actively shaping our beautiful City's future.
We aspire to shape a better community and workplace, and as such, we are committed to pay equity. We are proud to have achieved gender pay equity as a leader in the Utah community by creating a workplace where there is equal opportunity for all.
The City is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Salt Lake City will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 801-535-7900.
