Urban Planner III

Job Description

At the City of Atlanta, we are passionate about building and improving our community.  Our police officers, firefighters and building inspectors keep our citizens safe. Our Public Works staff keeps our City clean and helps maintain, build and improve our City’s infrastructure.  Our City planners help envision and shape future City growth. Our Parks & Recreation professionals enhance our quality of life.

Our engineers help keep our drinking water clean, the largest airport in the world (by passenger volume) operating and our buildings maintained.  Along with the host of Finance, Procurement, and Human Resources professionals whose support is vital, we are the City of Atlanta!   If you are seeking a meaningful role where you can make a real difference improving and growing our City, we welcome you to explore the job opportunities we have to offer.

Posting:  Open Until Filled

Salary:  Commensurate with experience

General Description & Classification Standards

The Public Space Implementation Manager is primarily responsible for ensuring the engagement, construction, operation, and continued maintenance of tactical and permanent public space projects undertaken by the City of Atlanta’s Department of City Planning (DCP) and ensuring that the Department’s high expectations for the finished quality of our designed and built work is met. The scope of projects that would receive oversight from this position range from DCP’s smaller-scale projects associated with our Placemaking Program to larger public realm/streetscape improvements.

Duties at this level include but are not limited to engaging communities on project opportunities; guiding community project teams through awarded projects; collaborating with design and planning professionals from DCP during project design phases; leading the procurement of contractors, vendors, etc to carry out the work; managing all phases of internal and external permitting and construction to ensure the integrity of the original project design; developing and implementing an operations and maintenance plan for completed work; coordinating all construction, operations, and maintenance activities with the appropriate City departments, partnering agencies, stakeholders, and the general public; and leading evaluations and analysis on project impact.

This is an experienced, professional level capable of carrying out most assignments typical of the profession with limited guidance or review. This level would be considered a promotional level and attainable by any incumbents in a work group who demonstrate the necessary knowledge, ability, and performance.

Supervision Received

Direction received is very general, focuses on end results, and is typically collaborative in nature. Candidate should be extremely self-motivated and willing to take initiative.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties shall be performed as assigned.

Related Duties & Responsibilities

Collaborating with design and planning professionals from DCP and partnering departments to ensure that the feasibility, constructability, quality, timeliness, and durability of built work.
Advising during the design process on innovative means, methods, and materials in construction where DCP can provide leadership in techniques not currently/typically used in the City.
Leading the procurement of contractors, fabricators, installers, vendors, etc that can successfully complete the construction scope of projects.
Providing oversight for the implementation and construction of projects including the management of the scope, schedule, and budget.
Creating standard processes and procedures for coordination and communication during construction phases such as RFI/ASI responses, submittal procedures, site visits, field reports, punch lists, etc.
Ensuring exceptional execution and finished quality of completed work.
Developing and implementing plans for the operations and maintenance to ensure that completed projects are routinely cleaned and kept in a consistent state of good repair; ensure that any necessary repairs are completed promptly.
Serving as the Department’s primary liaison in coordinating project feasibility, scheduling, construction, operation, and maintenance activities with relevant City departments, partnering agencies, stakeholders, and the public.
Leading evaluation and data collection and analysis to assess project impact.
Collaborate with other Public Space staff on strategic thinking around DCP’s public space program(s).
Decision Making

Selects from multiple procedures and methods to accomplish tasks. Understands resources available and uses resources wisely.

Leadership Provided

Provides guidance and training as required to lower level staff, interns, temporary employees, etc.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list.

Understanding of urban design and the public realm including architecture, street design, and landscape architecture.
Demonstrated creative ability and eye for quality in the execution of construction projects.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
Strong project management skills with regards to maintaining scope, schedule, and budget.
Community engagement and collaborative capabilities.
Proficient in Microsoft Office including Microsoft Excel. Familiarity with the Adobe Creative Suite, GIS. Familiarity with Airtable a plus.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications for Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, urban design, public administration, architecture, and/or landscape architecture or related field. Three to five (3-5) years of related experience in project management required.

Preferred Qualifications for Education & Experience

Master’s degree in construction management, engineering, urban design, public administration, architecture, and/or landscape architecture or related field. Five to seven (5-7) years of related experience in project management preferred.

Equivalent professional experience may be considered for substitution for the required degree on an exception basis.

Licensures & Certifications

Position would be expected to hold, or currently in pursuit of, licensure or professional certifications appropriate to the position.

Required: Valid Georgia driver’s license

Preferred: Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Professional Engineer (PE), Engineer in Training (EIT), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)

Essential Capabilities & Work Environment

Physical, lifting, and sensory capabilities are requirements to perform the job successfully. Typical environmental conditions associated with job. Candidates must be willing to work flexible schedules – including some nights and weekend days – to support Studio functions.