Listing Summary

Job Description:

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency that focuses on issues critical to the region’s success, including growth and development, transportation, water resources, services for older adults, climate change, and workforce solutions. ARC is dedicated to unifying the region’s collective resources to prepare the metropolitan area for a prosperous future. This is performed through professional planning initiatives, the provision of objective information, and the involvement of the community in collaborative partnerships.
 
The Planning Administrator of the Natural Resources Department will serve as the Manager of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (the District), a Board-led and State-established planning body that collaborates with 96 cities and 15 counties in the Atlanta metro region to conserve and protect our region’s vital yet limited water resources. 
 
The Planning Administrator will be responsible for managing the planning and implementation activities for the District; leading, mentoring, and managing a team of water resource planners and analysts; developing and coordinating the work plan for the District; preparing regional plans, policies and projects; managing the budget, developing RFPs and managing external contracts. In addition, the Manager will be the lead for externally facing District collaboration efforts which include regular interactions with District Board members, local government elected officials and staff, and other agencies and/or organizations.
 
For more information about the District and its critical work can be found at northgeorgiawater.org.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages activities of the District including communications with the District Governing Board, Technical Coordinating Committee, annual budget development, consideration and processing of amendments to the Water Resources Management Plan, overseeing the technical assistance program for the 111 jurisdictions within the District, and coordination with a current staff of five full-time and other part-time staff to execute on these actions;
• Supervises staff including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, discipline and termination procedures; 
• Serves as project manager for the development of the 5-year Water Resources Management Plan that provides the vision and strategies to proactively address future challenges such as population growth, climate change, and aging infrastructure. This includes development of the request for proposals, selection process, negotiation of scope of work, and oversight of outside consultants; 
• Provides technical, policy, and programmatic advice to the District Governing Board, committees, local governments, planning partners, and other agencies and/or organizations;
• Oversees the development of publications including the annual report;
• Represents the District in various local, state, and national forums; 
• Makes presentations to the District Governing Board, committees, local governments, planning partners, and other agencies and/or organizations;
• Works closely with ARC’s Natural Resources Department Managing Director to establish and accomplish key performance metrics and objectives;
• Performs other duties as assigned to support agency goals and objectives.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in urban or regional planning, economics, architecture, landscape architecture, or related field;
• Four (4) years of professional planning experience; 
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in environmental planning, resources management, environmental science, environmental engineering, or related field;
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible related experience in natural resources planning and management;
• At least five (5) years of project management experience;
• Successful experience leading multi-disciplinary and dynamic teams, and mentoring staff;
• Professional Certification(s) such as Professional Engineer, American Institute of Certified Planners, or Project Management Professional.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Knowledge of regional water planning, water conservation, and the integration and implementation of water resource management best practices;
• In-depth understanding of water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, both natural and built;
• Knowledge of practices and policies in water resources and conservation, especially related to drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities and infrastructure;
• Knowledge of trends, practices, current thinking, and emerging issues in natural resources management and the ability to integrate related areas within water resources management and planning;
• Knowledge of regional planning and implementation, as well as knowledge of local government structure, processes and operations and familiarity with legislative and regulatory processes of state and federal government agencies;
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to effectively present complex water management concepts to diverse audiences, including the District’s Governing Board, government officials, and other stakeholders;
• Ability to interact and collaborate effectively within the Natural Resources Department and across other departments within the Atlanta Regional Commission. 

Additional Information

About ARC:

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency that focuses on issues critical to the region’s success, including growth and development, transportation, water resources, services for older adults and workforce solutions. ARC is dedicated to unifying the region’s collective resources to prepare the metropolitan area for a prosperous future. This is done through professional planning initiatives, the provision of objective information and the involvement of the community in collaborative partnerships. 

ARC Strategic Framework

Vision — ONE great REGION

Mission Statement

The Atlanta Regional Commission fosters thriving communities for all within the Atlanta region through collaborative, data-informed planning and investments.

Our Goals

1. Healthy, safe, livable communities in the Atlanta metro area.
2. Strategic investments in people, infrastructure, mobility, and preserving natural resources.
3. Regional services delivered with operational excellence and efficiency.
4. Diverse stakeholders engage and take a regional approach to solve local issues.
5. A competitive economy that is inclusive, innovative, and resilient.

Our Core Values

Excellence | A commitment to doing our best and going above and beyond in every facet of our work allowing for innovative practices and actions to be created while ensuring our agency’s and our colleague’s success.

Equity | We represent a belief that there are some things which people should have, that there are basic needs that should be fulfilled, that burdens and rewards should not be spread too divergently across the community, and that policy should be directed with impartiality, fairness and justice towards these ends.

Integrity | In our conduct, communication, and collaboration with each other and the region’s residents, we will act with consistency, honesty, transparency, fairness and accountability within and across each of our responsibilities and functions.

Application Process:

The Atlanta Regional Commission is looking for individuals who enjoy working in a public service environment where the mission is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the Atlanta region. ARC serves as a forum where leaders come together to discuss and act on issues of regionwide consequence, so it is important that our staff share the public entrepreneurial spirit that defines ARC.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, ARC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, sex, religion or disability.

For questions about recruitment, or to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, interview, or testing process, please contact ARC at 404-463-3100 or Human Resources via email at hr@atlantaregional.org.