City Planner

City Planner

*** ALL CANDIDATES MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE OF CITY PLANNER ***

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enriches the environment and protects public health for all New Yorkers by providing 1.1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. DEP's water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system's 2,000 square-mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the City. The Bureau seeks a highly skilled professional to lead complex technical, analytical, and planning initiatives that advance operational efficiency, support modernization efforts, and strengthen cross unit coordination. The position requires strong project management capabilities, analytical depth, and the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, applicants, partner agencies, and community stakeholders.

Under direction and with wide latitude for independent judgment, this position serves as a project manager for the development and implementation of new technical systems that support Bureau functions. Responsibilities include identifying stakeholder needs, defining scopes of work, evaluating potential technical solutions, and guiding projects from planning through execution. The role requires developing and managing project schedules, resolving technical and planning issues, and ensuring that objectives are met efficiently. The position also performs high-level analytical work to assess Bureau operations, conduct organizational and workflow studies, and identify process gaps. This includes preparing complex research products, evaluating operational performance, and developing recommendations to improve efficiency and overall program effectiveness. As part of Bureau-wide modernization and policy efforts, the role implements new procedures, drafts operational guidance, conducts trainings, troubleshoots issues, and monitors outcomes of new initiatives. The position regularly meets with applicants, consultants, community groups, and agency partners to present objectives, explain analytical findings, gather feedback, and resolve planning or technical issues. Communications must be clear, objective, and technically accurate across all stakeholder interactions. The role includes reviewing and processing records requests, ensuring accuracy and completeness of submitted documents, troubleshooting discrepancies, and maintaining detailed records of request activity. The planner will also coordinate with engineering, technical teams, and external agencies to resolve complex, multi-step requests, such as those requiring MOUs, signature verification, or data validation, and represent in meetings to communicate processes, resolve issues, and ensure consistent application of policies. The planner will perform complex analytical work to evaluate Bureau operations, implement new policies and procedures, and support interagency coordination. Work includes maintaining organized datasets, preparing applicant-facing resources, and aligning recommendations with Streamlining Procedures To Expedite Equitable Development Initiative (SPEED) and broader agency objectives.

Preferred Skills

• Strong project-management skills, including experience defining scopes of work, developing schedules, and guiding technical or operational projects from planning through implementation.
• Demonstrated analytical ability, including experience conducting research, evaluating workflows, identifying process gaps, and developing evidence-based recommendations.
• Proficiency with the ESRI ArcGIS application suite, including ArcMap and/or ArcGIS Pro, to support the delivery of complex records requests that rely on spatial data.
• Ability to communicate complex technical or analytical findings clearly in written, verbal, and visual formats to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong judgment, initiative, and decisiveness when resolving planning or technical challenges and coordinating across multiple units or agencies.
• Ability to maintain organized datasets, track project progress, and prepare high-quality planning or project documentation that supports informed decision-making.
• Experience conducting research and data analysis to support planning standards, operational recommendations, and process improvements.
• Skill in building constructive working relationships and serving as a liaison between internal teams, external partners, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to present information in a clear, objective, and professional manner and to capture stakeholder needs accurately.
• Familiarity with technical systems such as databases, mobile applications, collaboration platforms, or permitting systems, and interest in system modernization and digital workflow improvements.
• Comfort managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, while maintaining attention to detail and producing high-quality work.

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.

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

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 the agency representative at the time of interview.

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.