Supervising Planner – Environmental & Resiliency

Overview

Planning, Policy, and Economic Development 

40 hours per week, Full Time, Exempt 

The Supervising Planner – Environmental & Resilience is a key member of the Office’s staff. They will work closely with municipalities, community-based organizations, and environmental justice communities to advance regional solutions that ensure people and nature will be able to thrive in the face of climate challenges. They report to the Deputy Director and collaborate closely with other Office staff across multiple disciplines. The position provides technical support and expertise on environmental planning, climate change adaptation and resiliency to internal divisions and municipalities. The position accomplishes its goals by conducting research, holding public outreach and consensus building meetings, writing reports, oral presentations and by providing planning assistance to various governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, and the general public.

Essential Functions

Overseeing all environmental planning initiatives undertaken by the County of Somerset including Wastewater planning activities, Brownfields planning and redevelopment efforts, Green Infrastructure implementation projects.
Key leadership role in the formation of a new regional stormwater collaborative for Somerset County communities, identifying shared adaptation priorities, building consensus around regional solutions (including innovative green infrastructure, land use management, and social infrastructure solutions and incentives), and translating those into implementation projects & programs.
Meaningfully engaging residents and business community—especially environmental justice neighborhoods, people of color, and those with limited means—around development of municipal adaptation priorities and strategies that effectively address the needs of climate vulnerable populations.
Working with interdisciplinary partners and consultants to evaluate impacts of flooding, heat, drought and other climate challenges on residents, and natural and human made infrastructure.
Supporting the Environment and Utilities Committee.
Monitoring legislation related to environmental planning, climate change, resiliency, as well as NJDEP’s activities.
Assisting with grant applications and legislative initiatives to support implementation of priority solutions.
Managing implementation projects and associated grant contract reporting, budgets, and compliance.
Planning and organizing project-related public engagement and participation activities, using a variety of interactive approaches both in person and online.
Identifying and building long-term working relationships with partners, including community-based organizations, representatives of environmental justice populations, municipal staff and local officials.
Providing technical support to colleagues on planning, land use regulation and environmental issues.
Supporting communication and development staff to document results through writing, presentations, photography and social media.
This position may require participation in evening meetings and occasional involvement in weekend events.
Essential Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a licensed planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and in the State of NJ and will have a combination of technical, project management, communication, and leadership skills. A master’s degree in regional or urban planning, natural resource management or a related field plus seven (7) to ten (10) years of experience is required. Bilingual English and Spanish proficiency is desirable, but not required. Public agency experience is desirable, but not required.