Planner/Recycling Coordinator (Sustainability)

Sowela; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bucks County seeks a skilled professional to lead sustainability planning initiatives and related environmental reviews. You will prepare written and graphic reports, GIS maps, and municipal plans, coordinating with local officials and the public.

Responsibilities include recycling program coordination, grant reporting, and representing the county on regional environmental matters. A strong background in planning and communication is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Sustainability or Planning.
• 1–5 years of experience in a sustainability planning position preferred.
• AICP licensure preferred but not required.
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas in written and verbal form.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; GIS experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Reports to the Deputy Director and the Executive Director as applicable.
• Prepares environmental planning, sustainability, hazard mitigation or watershed plans and studies.
• Assists planners with ordinances to protect environmental resources.
• Develops plans, tools and data supporting environmental and sustainability planning.
• Prepares environmental components of municipal or multi-municipal plans.
• Participates in regional environmental and watershed group committees.
• Recycling coordination, public education, reporting and outreach.
• Represents the county Recycling Coordinator per DEP requirements.
• Maintains records of recycling activities and DEP grant reports.
• Coordinates grant applications and regional HHW programs.

Skills

Sustainability planning

GIS mapping

Report writing

Stakeholder coordination

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Sustainability/Planning

AICP licensure preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint

Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign/Photoshop/Illustrator)

SketchUp

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Possesses sustainability planning background and experience. Prepares written and graphic reports, reviews, projects, and GIS applications. Conducts and prepares environmental reviews relating to subdivision and land development, and community planning. Responsible for coordinating and meeting all the county requirements for recycling and solid waste activities, as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; arrange for and conduct household hazardous waste and electronics collection events (as applicable) for Bucks County residents; expand recycling and collection events as directed by the County of Bucks.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reports to the Deputy Director and the Executive Director as applicable.
• Prepares or assists in the production of environmental planning, sustainability, hazard mitigation or watershed-based plans and studies.
• Prepares or assists planners with ordinances specific to the protection and preservation of environmental resources.
• Prepares plans, tools, data, and other initiatives supporting environmental and sustainability planning.
• Prepares documents on environmental resource topics for distribution to local officials and the general public.
• Prepares or assists in the production of GIS maps and GIS related projects.
• Assists planners with state-mandated sewage facilities planning module reviews.
• Prepares environmental components of municipal and/or multi-municipal comprehensive plans.
• Participates in regional environmental and watershed group committees.
• Recycling: including public education, reporting and outreach.
• Serves as county Recycling Coordinator per the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
• Prepares and maintains required recordkeeping of the municipal and county recycling activities in the county.
• Coordinates DEP grant applications and reports.
• Develops and implements the Bucks County component of Southeast Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program and serve as the county’s representative to regional HHW committee.
• Manages and administers the Bucks County E-Waste Collection Reimbursement Grant Program (BCERG) as directed by the commissioners.
• Represents the county commissioners at municipal and special interest group meetings to advocate recycling programs.
• Assists in the development of recycling programs at educational institutions.
• Provides information to the public concerning the availability of sites for the recycling of various materials using web based and/or printed media as applicable.
• Assists municipalities during the start-up and maintenance of recycling programs and with DEP grant applications and reports.
• Encourages and supports collection and processing systems for additional recyclables not currently accepted by haulers of recyclable materials and recycling facilities.
• Continues efforts in furthering the development and reporting of commercial and multifamily recycling.
• Supports the development of municipal compost and yard waste collection programs as applicable and feasible.
• Assists municipal, county, multi-county, state, and private sector entities with further development of programs to recycle additional components of the municipal solid waste stream.
• Participates, as appropriate, in contract negotiations for the collection, transportation, processing, and marketing of recyclable materials generated or processed in Bucks County.
• Provides staff assistance to the County of Bucks Solid Waste Advisory Board.
• Solid Waste Management Planning.
• Facilitates and manages the activities and meetings of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC).
• Develops, maintains, reviews, and updates as necessary the Bucks County Solid Waste Management Plan in accordance with DEP requirements.
• Maintains knowledge and understanding and communication with the operators of the solid waste management facilities functioning in Bucks County.
• Reviews and prepares comments for subdivision and land development proposals as applicable.
• Prepares graphic products including detailed sketches, maps, 3D photo simulations and site plans as required.
• Attends public meetings, presents information to the public and assists the public as required.
• Attends meetings with staff, municipal officials and other agencies as required.
• Serves as a liaison between the planning commission and municipal officials.
• Coordinates and collaborates with other staff members in a ‘team approach’ for projects.
• Assists with the identification and coordination of grant applications as required.
• Coordinates with local, regional, state, and federal agencies to address environmental planning issues (as necessary).
• Performs similar or related duties as assigned by the Executive Director or other directors within the department.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Qualification requirements include demonstrated ability to perform all of the Essential Duties and Responsibilities listed above.
• Bachelors or Master’s Degree in Sustainability, Planning, or equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge and skills to perform and meet the essential functions and responsibilities of the position.
• 1 -5 years of experience in a sustainability planning position preferred.
• Possess specific knowledge/experience with the various aspects of sustainability planning (stormwater, sewage and water facilities, sustainability, etc.).
• AICP licensure preferred but not required.
• Ability to effectively and professionally communicate ideas in written and verbal manner, including report preparation and making presentations to the public.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Proficiency with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and SketchUp is a plus.
• Must have access to reliable transportation and be available to attend day and evening off-site meetings as required.