COMMUNITY PLANNER

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

COMPANY BACKGROUND?  

Clinton Housing Development Company (CHDC)?is a not-for-profit community-based organization founded in 1973, dedicated to building community by preserving and creating high quality, permanently affordable housing in Clinton/Hell's Kitchen. We integrate community, cultural, and green spaces into developments and provide consulting services for larger community initiatives. Since its founding in 1973, CHDC has directly developed 1,031 units of affordable housing and 55 commercial spaces in 79 buildings in the Clinton/Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea communities. Further, CHDC has cultivated courtyard and roof gardens throughout our buildings, and 7 community gardens throughout the neighborhood.  

Nature of Work

The Community Planner works closely with the Executive Director and Director of Community Development to coordinate predevelopment project activity for CHDC developments. The Planner also works closely with the Executive Director to provide technical assistance and staffing to the local Community Board and community organizations and coalitions for broader community planning needs and initiatives in the Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan. In that capacity, the Planner works with elected officials, the local Community Board, not-for-profit institutions, community organizations, and block associations to develop plans, maps, studies, and reports for community-based planning initiative and assists the Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen community in responding to plans, rezonings, and developments proposed by the private sector, with analyses and studies to support the positions of the community.

Responsibilities  

CHDC Developments

· Coordinate all aspects urban planning in the predevelopment phase of CHDC development projects

· Prepare relevant planning applications for the public review process, including ULURP (New York City’s public review process), variance applications and zoning overrides

· Coordinate and prepare for eh public review process for all such applications

· Coordinate and engage consultants to complete predevelopment studies, including site surveys, geotechnical surveys and building existing conditions, Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, environmental investigations including site remediation plans, if required

· Plan, prepare and coordinate community briefings and public presentations

Community-Based Planning Initiatives

· Provide technical support to Manhattan Community Board 4in the areas of Land Use, Housing, Health, Human Services, and Landmarks 

· Prepare, update, and review maps and planning analyses to support studies, applications, and inventory documentation

· Prepare reports, presentations and planning studies regarding land use, affordable housing, and zoning (with an emphasis on Special Zoning Districts) to support community positions in areas including ULURP applications, tenant/landlord issues, rezonings, or developments proposed by the private sector

· Prepare short-term, one-off requests for research and analysis from the Executive Director or external partners. Requests include, but are not limited to, legislative policy briefs and research on the New York City Zoning Resolution

· Attend Community Board Land Use and Housing Committee meetings as needed

· Attend developer and City Agency briefings, as needed, for proposed developments and zoning initiatives

· Attend Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Coalition meetings, and provide logistics support to that group as needed

Communications

· Cultivate stakeholder relationships with local organizations, block associations, elected officials, and city agencies 

· Update and maintain planning and development aspects of CHDC website as a community information resource

  Education and Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as city planning, urban studies, public policy, or community development 

· Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

· Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail

· Ability to work independently on deadline-driven tasks

· Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external parties 

· Strong research and analysis skills

· Ability to concurrently manage a full portfolio of projects 

· Ability to manage competing and time-sensitive priorities

· Exceptional written and visual presentation skills

· Extensive technology literacy including:

•  MS Office, with strong Word, PowerPoint, and Excel proficiency

• Task/Project Management software - Monday.com or other

• Design tools – Adobe Illustrator, Rhinoceros 3D, or equivalent

• Map-making tools – ArcGIS or similar