Planning Assistant

Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments; Gallup (NM); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional planning organization in Gallup, New Mexico is seeking a Planning Assistant to provide administrative and technical support within a professional team. Key responsibilities include assisting with research, project management, and inter-agency communications. Ideal candidates will have a background in planning or community development and strong writing and analytical skills. This position offers an opportunity to engage in meaningful community work while developing expertise in planning practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or in progress in planning/community development.
• At least one year of experience in community planning or related areas.
• Proficient in written communication and technical writing.

Responsibilities

• Assist planning staff with administrative and technical functions.
• Conduct research for various organizational programs and projects.
• Manage document and data for the COG's website and social media.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Writing skills

Computer skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or pursuing related degree

Tools

GIS software

Database management software

Word processing software

Job description

Starting your career and looking to return home to help communities in New Mexico and the Four Corners. Or looking for a change and wanting to join a professional planning firm and the best team in Northwest New Mexico. Here's your opportunity!

Employment Details: http://www.nwnmcog.com/employment-opportunites.html

POSITION SUMMARY

The Planning Assistant provides a wide range of administrative and technical support work in service to and on behalf of executive and planning staff, while gaining knowledge, experience and skill in the planning field.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Administrative Support: Assists planning and executive staff with calendaring, communications, document management and other office support functions.
• Technical Support: Assists planning and executive staff with technical functions related to the planning and program work of the COG organization, including but not limited to:
• Research: Conducting research on a variety of topics as required by the organization's programs, projects and services; compiles, interprets and applies statistics; and prepares research reports.
• Document and Data management: Assisting in managing the COG's website, social media, document databases (including file storage) and GIS and graphical media.
• Technical writing: Assisting executive and planning staff in the preparation of technical reports, grant proposals, graphics, mapping products and correspondence for internal and external use; uses standard and specialized software on the computer as primary tools of communication and documentation.
• Meeting facilitation: Assisting COG planning and executive staff in preparing for, facilitating and documenting a variety of meetings and workshops.
• Project management: Providing technical and logistical support to specific projects or events as assigned; may take on primary responsibility in some assigned project areas.
• Inter-agency communications: Assists with inter-agency communications and liaison tasks on behalf of COG planning and executive staff and in support of various client services, projects and events; prepares and assists in delivering written and verbal reports as needed and assigned to governmental and other groups.

QUALIFICATIONS

• College education: Bachelor's degree preferred, or actively pursuing such a degree, preferably including areas of study related to planning and community development. Equivalent knowledge, experience or expertise as applicable to this position may be substituted for academic credentials.
• Related experience: At least one year of experience in professional and/or internship work related to community planning & development, public administration, grantsmanship, project management or related fields. Compatible academic coursework and technical skills may be substituted for past experience; multicultural experience will be positively considered.
• Strong interpersonal skills: Good teamwork and cooperative skills; positive, flexible and constructive attitude; mature approach to conflict resolution.
• High energy: Ability to sustain high levels of performance, enthusiasm, flexibility and productivity, to handle productive stress, and to meet deadlines.
• Professional commitment: Commitment to meet high professional standards; ongoing professional interest in the work of regional and community development.
• Strong writing skills: Ability to independently compose and self-edit correspondence, reports, summaries, and proposals; ability to develop appropriate written products based on general information, direction and intent; ability to represent workshop and meeting results in narrative, tabular and other report formats.
• Good analytical skills: Ability to read, comprehend and evaluate a wide range of professional material; ability to research, interpret and report information across a range of topics and applications.
• Mature self‑direction: Ability to respond effectively to both specific and general direction and supervision; ability to show initiative in solving problems and seeking answers from a variety of sources.
• Sense of organization: Ability to organize various/numerous projects, schedules, activities, materials and information in an efficient and productive manner; good multi‑tasking skills.
• Fluent computer/word processing skills: Ability to efficiently utilize current computer software to compose, edit, format and print presentation‑quality documents; ability to utilize, or to learn and master, telecommunications, database, spreadsheet and statistical programs; strong working familiarity with Windows‑based applications; web page development, social media, and GIS/mapping skills preferred.
• Driver's license: Possession of or ability to obtain a valid New Mexico driver's license.

GENERAL CONDITIONS, EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Residency: Must reside within commuting distance of Council of Governments headquarters in Gallup, New Mexico.
• Comportment: Appropriate professional business attire is required; professionalism is expected in communications with fellow employees, with governmental clients and associates, and with the public.
• Initiative: Initiative, flexibility and focused productivity are expected in the accomplishment of assignments under general and specific professional supervision.
• Travel: Frequent vehicular travel within the region and occasional travel outside the region by commercial carriers will be required.
• Physical requirements: Ability to efficiently operate a passenger vehicle, to independently conduct local, regional, in‑state and out‑of‑state travel, including field visits to office and land sites throughout the region, and to operate standard office equipment is required.
• Limitations: The employee is responsible for informing the employer of any physical, mental or other factors that may substantially affect or limit ability to meet the demands of the position.