Environmental Planner

Environmental Planner

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is the nation's oldest and largest public housing authority with more than 177,000 apartments, and responsibility for administering a citywide Section 8 leased housing program that serves over 150,000 additional tenants. NYCHA's mission is to provide quality housing for New Yorkers that is sustainable, inclusive, and safe, while fostering opportunities for economic mobility. NYCHA's Asset & Capital Management (A&CM) Division leads the Authority's capital, sustainability and resiliency programs that comprise a $6 billion capital projects portfolio - one of the largest in NY State - as well as a range of activities related to property modernization and strategic asset management. A&CM aims to preserve and modernize NYCHA buildings and apartments through strategic portfolio planning, comprehensive design standards, innovative financing and project delivery models, strong partnership with NYCHA residents and other stakeholders, and effective program and project management of capital investments. The Division also positions NYCHA's housing portfolio for the future by piloting and scaling-up sustainable and resilient technologies and practices, improving residents' quality of life while enhancing building performance. The work culture of the Division is strongly customer service oriented, collaborative and delivery-focused. The A&CM Division's Sustainability Department develops and implements a comprehensive sustainability agenda to reduce NYCHA's energy and resource consumption and carbon footprint, improve resident health and well-being, and create environmentally friendly developments for NYCHA's residents and the surrounding communities. Building on a 20-year track record of successful energy efficiency initiatives, the teams support and champion a comprehensive and strategic approach to all areas of sustainability, including energy efficiency and management, water efficiency and management, waste reduction and management, and healthy and comfortable indoor environments. The teams not only serve as a resource to the departments within A&CM, but also help to connect A&CM to Operations and Community Programs for a holistic approach. The A&CM Division's Sustainability Department is divided into three units: - Sustainability - Energy - Environmental Planning Under general supervision or direction, with opportunity for independent judgment in coordination with supervisor, difficulty and responsibility, performs and/or supervises research and analysis activities in the field of city planning. The Environmental Planner will use technical and regulatory expertise to ensure the completion of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) environmental reviews for all projects requiring review under the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR), the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Environmental Planner will focus on environmental reviews for transactions for all NYCHA departments. The Environmental Planner will organize and/or perform research and analysis activities; develop and analyze data on city planning issues; support NYCHA-wide projects, programs, and initiatives. Selected candidate will work within the Sustainability Department - Environmental Planning Unit to oversee and directly provide consultation services and technical support to ensure clearance of environmental review for Sustainability, Capital Rehabilitation, air-rights leased Housing, the Public Housing Preservation Trust, Comprehensive Modernization, Operations, and real estate development projects. The Environmental Planning Unit works in the Sustainability Department amongst the Energy Programs and Sustainability Programs teams and works closely with various NYCHA departments and City, State, and Federal agencies. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: - Manage and participate in the preparation of Type II, EAS, EAF, EIS, and similar environmental review documentation for multiple portfolios. - Administer the CEQR, SEQRA, and NEPA processes. - Assist with onboarding of other environmental professional services as needed. - Consult and coordinate with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. - Serve as the NYCHA liaison for inter-agency environmental collaborations. - Support the Agency's environmental response activities as required. - Establish project timelines and ensure projects are completed on schedule. - Draft and review requests for proposals. - Present analyses to the Deputy Director of Environmental Planning, NYCHA Executive Team, inter-agency partners, elected officials, residents, stakeholders, and colleagues. - Work closely with colleagues from NYCHA and NYC, NY State, and Federal agencies involved in the development of affordable housing. - Ensure project consistency with the current environmental review requirements, NYCHA Sustainability Agenda and Annual Plan.

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and two years of satisfactory full-time experience in city planning; or 2. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to "1" above. Graduate education in city planning, urban planning, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, transportation engineering, public administration, economic development or related fields may be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 graduate semester credits from an accredited college for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree. Special Qualification Requirements Assignment Level III To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level III, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, one additional year of professional experience as described in "2" above. Assignment Level IV To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level IV, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, two additional years of professional experience as described in "2" above.

Preferred Skills

- Skilled in NEPA, CEQR, and SEQRA reviews. - Proficiency with the 2020 CEQR Technical Manual. - Experience with capital projects. - Experience and knowledge of affordable housing development. - Knowledge of NYCHA properties. - Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects promptly. - Strong computer and database skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Excel and PowerPoint.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at

Residency Requirement

NYCHA has no residency requirements.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.