Job Description

The Associate Planner will coordinate City efforts to develop infrastructure policy and projects that advance racial equity with federal, state, and local funding opportunities including the $1B in investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

** Infrastructure Project Coordination:**

In this work area, the Associate Planner **** will support cross-departmental efforts to align infrastructure projects with opportunities for federal funding. Working with teams from different agencies including Streets, Office of Sustainability, Philadelphia Energy Authority, PWD, PHL Airport, OIT, OCF, Procurement, and Commerce, they will track federal investments in the City’s roads, bridges, water systems, airports, broadband, pollution mitigation, waste treatment, and climate change resilience. The Associate Planner will contribute to project prioritization efforts that center racial equity in planning and project delivery. The Associate Planner will set up and maintain systems for measuring the impact of the BIL in Philadelphia, including GIS mapping.

** Planning and Policy Impact Analysis:**

The Associate Planner will conduct analysis, research, and writing to ensure implementation of the City’s BIL infrastructure strategy is equitable. They will help to track performance on initiatives and new policies aimed to ensure these capital investments are growing generational wealth in Philadelphia. They will support the Director in her work to gather data and reporting from local partners by coordinating closely with internal and external stakeholder members of the Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST) and the Infrastructure Workforce Roundtable.

** Federal Grant Support:**

The Associate Planner will participate in team efforts to prepare competitive federal grant applications for infrastructure systems. They will play a key role researching and synthesizing information to help the team stay current on tracking the interests of federal agencies and elected offices to invest in a range of infrastructure systems and evaluate opportunities for Philadelphia to garner federal investment.

Essential Functions

Specific Tasks within Infrastructure Project Coordination Work Area:

• Track infrastructure projects with federal funding across departments, maintaining up to date information on grant awards, project locations, types of infrastructure, and construction timelines.

• Create and maintain dashboards and workflows for internal tracking a range of infrastructure projects.

• Contribute to the organization and maintenance of a local transportation improvement program involving a multi-year look ahead to infrastructure planning across multiple agencies.

• Assist the Director in her work with internal and external stakeholders to determine opportunities for dig-once strategies involving multiple types of infrastructure.

• Prepare written and visual communication materials for internal and external stakeholders on the City’s federally funded infrastructure program.

• Perform geospatial mapping, demographic analysis, financial analysis to measure equitable implementation of federally funded projects.

• Synthesize data analysis into clear, relevant, and visually appealing materials: including maps, reports, and dashboards.

• Research and stay current on best practices for capital improvement program development and implementation.

• Prepare memos and policy papers describing new pathways for pilot initiatives in infrastructure planning and implementation.

Specific Tasks within Planning and Policy Impact Analysis Work Area:

• Create and maintain dashboards and workflows for measuring the equity impact of infrastructure investments and public works contracting.

• Assist in developing pilot strategies and processes for government procurement, workforce development, and minority business participation.

• Use various reports and partners’ data to identify benchmarks, metrics, and trends for equity impacts stemming from infrastructure investment.

• Keep current on and research best practices in workforce development and equitable procurement for public works.

• Prepare presentations and visual reports on projects funded by BIL and the City’s equitable implementation strategies.

• Collaborate with staff from other departments and agencies including Procurement Dept., Commerce Dept., Streets Dept., DVRPC on studies and policy review.

• Participate in meetings with inter-governmental partners, stakeholders and community groups related to BIL and infrastructure goals.

Specific Tasks within Federal Grant Support Work Area:

• Attend webinars, read grant notices and synthesize information for briefing the Director and other members of the team on opportunities and trends in federal infrastructure investments.
• Assist the Director in coordinating cross-departmental project definition, especially with teams that lack dedicated grant staff.
• In collaboration with the Grant Manager and Grant Coordinator, prepare memos, presentations, and contribute to grant guides to communicate funding opportunities.
• Assist in the preparation of grant proposals and gather information related to possible funding sources.
• Contribute to internal evaluation efforts of infrastructure project scoping and readiness for grant application.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Organized: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, estimate timelines, rework a project approach based on unforeseen challenges, work well under pressure, and set/meet reasonable deadlines.
• Action-oriented: Ability to see opportunities, navigate barriers, be self-directed, and problem-solve solutions that enhance the City’s deliverables, processes, and practices.
• Research Acumen: Focused work style that lends itself to easily ascertaining tasks as assigned, conducting research on multiple topics, and connecting relevant information.
• Excellent communicator: Ability to communicate articulately and convincingly across different formats - written, verbal, visual, etc. and for various audiences and cultivate effective communication among team members.
• Progress-Oriented : Can set practical goals for large programs or initiatives. Ability to independently monitor progress and evaluate outcomes.
• Resilient: Ability to have a sense of humor, learn from mistakes, and return to work after experiencing a setback, delay, or course change.
• Curious: Ability to practice active listening, ask questions to get at the root of a problem, be open to receiving and giving constructive feedback, and have a sincere interest in learning new skills or growing old ones.
• System Thinker: Knowledgeable about how government systems are interrelated and impact the day-to-day lives of Philadelphia residents. ****
• Commitment to equity: Strong commitment to racial equity and demonstrated ability to center the experiences of BIPOC individuals in work environment.

REQUIRED

• Strong Geographic Information Systems (GIS) skills.
• Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and Excel.
• Strong ability to critically analyze information, metrics and statistical data.
• Knowledge of salient federal and state transportation laws and regulations.

Work-Life

Working hours are generally 40 hours per week. Our team is currently hybrid with both virtual and in-office days, however the position can opt to come in the office each day if desired.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience
• Experience managing complex projects or processes in bureaucratic or political environments

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or other post-secondary education in a related field such as, City Planning, Public Policy, Urban Studies, Sustainability, Environmental Science, Law, etc. is preferred.
• Passion for quality, professionalism, integrity, initiative, energy, dedication, innovation, and respect.
• Policy research experience

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $75,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Enjoy a Free Commute on SEPTA - Starting September 1, 2023 , eligible City employees will no longer have to worry about paying for SEPTA public transportation. Whether you're a full-time, part-time, or provisional employee, you can seize the opportunity to sign up for the SEPTA Key Advantage Program and receive free Key cards for free rides on SEPTA buses, trains, trolleys, and regional rails.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

_ *The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire_

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx