Listing Summary

Salary: $90,304.27

General Description and Classification Standards

The City of Atlanta Department of City Planning (DCP) is committed to implementing Atlanta City Design and transforming Atlanta into the best possible version of itself. Adopted into the city charter in December 2017, Atlanta City Design articulates an aspiration for the future city that Atlantans can fall in love with, knowing that if people love their city, they will make better decisions about it.

The Office of Design of the Department of City Planning provides leadership for the physical design of the city. It accomplishes this through the design of physical plans for the logical organization of our future city, creation of vibrant public spaces that cultivate public life, and architectural guidance, including historic preservation, of high-quality buildings that contribute to a cohesive public realm. This work is framed by Atlanta City Design and driven by the desire to design a city for everyone in the most inclusive way possible.

The Urban Planner II is responsible for: 

• Supporting the Public Art Project Manager III position in the Office of Design with conceptualizing, structuring, and implementing physical public art installation and work through-out the City of Atlanta, with a particular focus areas established as a priority by City of Atlanta and Department of City Planning leadership;
• Assisting with bridging the “planning”, “design”, “art”, “history” and “development” activities within the Office of Design and the Department of City Planning; and
• Supporting the programs and events of the Office of Design, including increasing the Department-wide and external partner programming of the Atlanta City Studio.

This is an experienced, professional level position capable of independently carrying out most assignments typical of the profession.  This level would be attainable by multiple incumbents in a work group (not necessarily by all) but would not be an "automatic" promotional level.

Supervision Received

The Urban Planner II reports to the Director of the Office of Design within the Department of City Planning.  The direction received is very general, focuses on end results and is typically collaborative in nature.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities                          

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.  May perform other duties as assigned.

• Add cultural programming to the Planning Studio’s Community Involvement Plan (CIP), Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), and small area planning work to enhance its reach and welcome in non-typical participants through unique and “soft” engagement techniques;
• Use the research, information, and conclusions generated from the Historic Preservation Studio’s programs (including but not limited to the African American Heritage Initiative, The Atlanta Cemetery Network, Speaking of Atlanta an Oral History Project, and Preserving Pride) to create programming that would highlight or display that work in approachable and memorial ways tailored to the target audience; 
• Expand the public art component / aspect of the next generation of the Love Our Places program managed by the Public Space Studio and otherwise support the expansion of the program both in geography and project type;
• Partner with the Office of Housing and Community Development’s Main Street, small business, and other programs to include public art as tool in the community development “tool kit”; and
• Facilitate and be the point of contact for re-establishing high-level and meaningful public and cultural programming at the Atlanta City Studio, whether generated from the City of Atlanta or external partners.
• Working with internal and external partners coordinating the use our space as a resource for other programming and outreach with like minded goals to educate the public         

Decision Making

Applies organizational policies. Establishes work methods, timetables, performance standards, etc. Selects from multiple procedures and methods to accomplish tasks.

Leadership Provided

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

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

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

• Current/progressive concepts of urban design, community development, community outreach and engagement, event planning and promotion, and public art; 
• Local government administrative, urban design, public art, and planning  procedures; 
• Preparation of graphics, reports, spreadsheets, databases and software to help visualize and present design projects; 
• Community development, public art, and urban planning research skills, including field inspections, computer and electronic searches, and archive and file searches; 
• Oral communication and interpersonal relationships to explain and promote projects, programs, and events clearly to the public; creative problem-solving to gather relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems; and management of community, public art, urban design, historic preservation and planning projects.
• Read and interpret city regulations, procedures, master plans, technical and operational documents, reports, research material, and maps; and apply relevant regulatory ordinances and codes; 
• Prepare and present oral, written and graphic reports, documents, brochures and pamphlets, and related general planning and development documentation; and
• Operate standard office equipment including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties; communicate effectively; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, customers, citizen groups and other employees.

Minimum Qualifications for Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, historic preservation, architectural history, urban design, architecture, public administration, arts administration, community development, communications, marketing, or related field.  Three (3) years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications for Education & Experience

Master’s degree in urban planning, historic preservation, architectural history, urban design, architecture, public administration, arts administration, community development, or related field.  Three-five (3-5) years of related experience, some in a local government or similar organization capacity. 

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: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification