Office Title: Director – Economic Development

Civil Service Title: Administrative City Planner

Salary Range: $110,000 – $130,000

Division / Work Unit: Housing and Economic Development

Hours / Shift: Mon – Fri (9am – 5pm)

Position Status: Full-Time / Permanent

Application Deadline: Until Filled

 

THE AGENCY:

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide and sharing its perspectives on growth and community needs with sister agencies in collaboration with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DCP’s six strategic objectives include: (a) catalyze long-term neighborhood improvement through integrated planning and targeted accompanying public investments; (b) encourage housing production, affordability, and quality; (c) promote economic development and job growth; (d) enhance resiliency and sustainability of neighborhoods; (e) ensure integrity, timeliness and responsiveness in land use reviews; and, (f) supply objective data and expertise to a broad range of planning functions and stakeholders.

Central to its mission, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications. The Department also works closely with OMB in developing the Ten-Year Capital Strategy, and helping administer the Neighborhood Development Fund, geared toward ensuring that growing neighborhoods undergoing rezoning have accompanying infrastructure investments.

The New York City Department of City Planning is a great place to work – cultivating intellectual inspiration, professional development, and creativity. Visit our website at www.nyc.gov/planning to access the full listing of job opportunities and to learn more about our great agency.

THE DIVISION:

In order to enable the dedication of greater staff time and focus to issues of housing and economic development, the Department plans to reorganize its Housing and Economic Development Division into an Economic Development Division and a Housing Division, each of which retains its team of data and policy analysts responsible for subject matter in their respective areas. In close coordination and collaboration

with the other Strategic Planning divisions at DCP, the Economic Development Division will advise the Executive Office and City Planning Commission on a wide range of issues related to economic development and the application of policy to individual land use review applications, conduct planning studies and initiatives of citywide scope for the agency, and compile routine data and analysis to guide the activities of borough planning offices and other divisions at DCP. In conjunction with other agency divisions, the Division maintains and provides routine analysis of data related to economic development, including the tracking of employment, business activity, and workforce development. The Division also coordinates directly with the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Department of Small Business Services (SBS), and other City and State agencies on the administration of business and development assistance programs, data analysis, and policy development.

THE ROLE

Under direction and general guidance of the Deputy Executive Director for Strategic Planning, with significant latitude for independent initiative and judgment, the Director will perform difficult and responsible work in city planning such as the following:

• Provide data and policy analysis on issues related to the economy and economic development, and their intersection with land use and other planning issues, to support a wide range of agency activities
• Make recommendations to the Director, Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director for Strategic Planning, and the City Planning Commission regarding agency policy, City initiatives, and land use applications
• Provide policy guidance and collaborate on policy development with the borough planning offices, Strategic Planning divisions, and other agency divisions
• Represent the Department on economic development-related issues in interactions with other City and public agencies, the Office of the Mayor, elected officials, and external entities, including in public forums
• Formulate specific work programs for division projects, and contribute to the formulation of the department’s work program
• Lead studies and implementation actions related to economic development
• Expedite the identification, negotiation, and resolution of issues affecting the success of interdivisional and interagency studies and projects
• Work directly with other City agencies to share data and expertise, and to formulate interagency strategies on economic development-related issues
• Manage a small team of planners and analysts to provide sound and timely information and sustain high standards of data and policy analysis
• Establish work assignments for division staff, evaluate staff performance, provide guidance, instruction, training and mentoring to staff, and recruit new employees to the Division
• Lead and coach division staff, using performance evaluations and professional development resources.

 

PREFFERED SKILLS

• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience managing intra-agency, inter-agency and other teams on large, complex projects, demonstrating strong collaborative tendencies
• Thorough knowledge of the City’s planning and economic development issues, and a working knowledge of the Zoning Resolution, City and State tax incentive and business assistance programs, workforce development resources, and Department land use review procedures
• Proven ability to apply independent judgment and innovative problem-solving when addressing complex policy matters
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve sensitive and complex issues with other senior staff within and outside the Department
• Proven history of developing and implementing process and workflow management improvements, as well as ability to drive change
• Outstanding organizational and management skills including proven leadership and team building
• Excellent written, editorial and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrated quantitative and qualitative analytical skills
• Ability to influence without direct authority, including driving results through others
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with others to settle differences and negotiate agreements.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position. NYC Department of City Planning does not provide sponsorship for international employees. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all minimum qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four (4) years of full-time experience in city planning, at least eighteen (18) months of which must have been in a managerial capacity; or
2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” above. However, a baccalaureate degree and eighteen (18) months of managerial experience in city planning is required of all candidates. Graduate work leading to an advance degree in city planning or related field may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the non-managerial experience on a year-for-year basis. Graduation from an accredited United States Law School may be substituted for two (2) years of non-managerial

experience.”

TO APPLY: All applications must be submitted through the NYC Careers / ESS Website City Employees

1. Log in to ESS.
2. Search for job ID number: 507591
3. Click on the job business title: Director – Economic Development
4. Click on “Apply Now” at the bottom of the posting

 

Non-City Employees –Visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/jobs/ and follow the steps below:

1. Search for job ID number: 507591
2. Click on the job business title: Director – Economic Development
3. Click on “Apply Now” at the bottom of the posting

 

Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. Appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.

As of August 2, 2021, all new hires must be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for religion or disability. If you are offered city employment, this requirement must be met by your date of hire, unless a reasonable accommodation for exemption is received and approved by the hiring agency.

PLEASE NOTE: 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 a Human Capital representative.

THE DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND A COPY OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS IS AVAILABLE IN THE HUMAN CAPITAL DIVISION. THE DEPARTMENT MAKES AVAILABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISABLED APPLICANTS.