Sr. Planning Coordinator

New York City Department of Transportation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Transportation is seeking an Associate Urban Designer to join the Office of Livable Streets. The role focuses on neighborhood planning, design concepts, scenario planning, and the development of clear visual narratives to support street design and Public Realm initiatives.

You will mentor staff, set graphic standards, coordinate with City agencies and communities, and translate complex planning ideas into compelling visuals for public audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture from an accredited college and two years of full-time experience in planning, design, research, investigations and/or studies related to urban design development programs.
• Graduate work leading to an advanced degree in architecture, urban design or city planning may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• A demonstrated ability to map information spatially and to develop neighborhood planning concepts is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead on and collaborate in the development of neighborhood planning and design concepts that result in scenario planning.
• Synthesize quantitative and qualitative analysis and direct the development of planning graphics and visual communications.
• Provide direction, mentorship, and workload management for Strategic Planning staff and ensure consistent, high-quality visual storytelling.

Skills

Urban planning

Public speaking

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft 365

Education

Bachelor's degree in architecture

Tools

GIS

Job description

ASSOCIATE URBAN DESIGNER - 22124

Transportation Planning and Management (TPM) is responsible for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods on the City's streets, supporting the larger goals of economic and social vitality for people living, working, and doing business in New York City. The Division's responsibilities include planning, street design, curb management, technical analysis, signs, transit development, freight mobility and markings, ensuring the safety of motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and cyclists.

The Office of Livable Streets (OLS) is tasked with prioritizing strategic planning, community engagement, research, policy, design, implementation, and long-term management. Their goal is to create streets that are livable, supporting safety, accessibility, inclusion, resiliency, active modes, community cohesion, and economic vitality citywide. Additionally, they aim to enhance New York City's pedestrian, bicycle, and micromobility networks, providing comfortable, connected, green, and reliable transportation options across the five boroughs. They place special emphasis on Priority Investment Areas, mode shift, and reimagining streets. The office also develops innovative new programs, design typologies, project delivery, and analysis tools to meet the demands of a rapidly changing population with evolving needs and technologies.

TPM's Office of Livable Streets (OLS) is seeking to hire a Senior Planning Coordinator on the Strategic Planning (SP) team within the Public Realm Unit (PR), reporting to the Director of Strategic Planning. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading on and collaborating with others in the development of neighborhood planning and design concepts that result in scenario planning, the synthesis of quantitative and qualitative analysis, and directing the development of planning graphics, visual communications, and storytelling that supports neighborhood planning and Public Realm initiatives. The Senior Planning Coordinator will have the opportunity to provide direction to, and be responsible for managing staff on Strategic Planning projects. Working closely with the SP team and other OLS units, the candidate will lead urban design research and analysis and develop planning frameworks and design recommendations that promote walkability, accessibility, pedestrian safety, mode shift, greening opportunities, and climate resilience.

The candidate will oversee the Strategic Planning team's graphic standards, visual communication practices, and planning document production, ensuring consistency, quality, and clarity across maps, diagrams, renderings, presentations, reports, and other planning materials. This role will produce graphics as well as provide guidance to staff responsible for developing these products, providing direction, mentorship, quality assurance, and workload management while establishing procedures and best practices for visual communication throughout the planning process. The successful candidate will ensure that complex planning concepts, technical analysis, and project recommendations are translated into compelling visual narratives that communicate goals, outcomes, and benefits to a public audience.

The Senior Planning Coordinator will work with DOT units closely and with outside agency partners that may include NYC Parks, Economic Development Corporation, City Planning, Department of Environmental Protection, as well as members of the community and local stakeholders to gather input and build support for proposed planning concepts and designs. The Public Realm Senior Planning Coordinator may represent Public Realm at public meetings, conferences, and inter-agency working groups and may provide supplemental design support to members of the Public Realm's Project Development and Delivery team for Street Improvement Projects (SIP) that fall within the scope of Strategic Planning team.

The Department of Transportation's (DOT) mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in the City of New York and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of our primary customers, City residents. DOT is an equal opportunity employer, committed to recruiting and maintaining a diverse workforce in an open and inclusive environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. A baccalaureate degree in architecture from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of full-time experience in planning, design, research, investigations and/or studies related to urban design development programs; or
• 2. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above. However, a baccalaureate degree in architecture is required of all candidates. Graduate work leading to an advanced degree in architecture, urban design or city planning may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Skills

Professional experience in urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture, or urban geography, with a practical understanding of pedestrian and transportation related issues and concepts. Previous experience mapping information spatially in GOS preferred and mastery in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft 365 strongly desired. Excellent written, visual, and verbal communication skills, ability to work independently in a highly collaborative environment, respond to and manage against tight timelines, identify and prioritize among competing needs and opportunities, and manage multiple projects at the same time. Strong communication skills with public speaking experience desired and a demonstrated interest in the public realm.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.