Planner II

Position Title: Planner II

Department: Real Estate Planning and Development

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Planning and Development

Salary grade : P

Salary Range: 83,000-103,800

Position Summary:

Working within the Atlanta Housing Real Estate Group, Planner II supports development project activities related to master planning and predevelopment including feasibility assessments, land and building development analysis, public infrastructure design and management, project entitlements, and community engagement consistent with Atlanta Housing's mission and federal, state, and local requirements. The Planner II also participates in community economic development initiatives to identify opportunities for neighborhood revitalization and quality of life investments to link civic, transportation, economic, recreation, education, and social amenities to real estate development projects. The Planner II collaborates closely across the Atlanta Housing team to coordinate master planning and project development, manage infrastructure planning and execution, supports the environmental review process, and identify and organize catalytic investments in adjacent areas to support Atlanta Housing objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for key aspects of real estate and community development planning for the Atlanta Housing real estate portfolio, leading cross-functional teams to undertake project due diligence, analyzing site capacity and regulatory processes, coordinating planning activities and community engagement, and managing infrastructure design to produce healthy, affordable, and sustainable communities.
• Manage planning work for new development that includes but is not limited to site analysis, feasibility analysis, due diligence, site concept and master planning, building massing plans, and entitlement approvals consistent with federal, state and local requirements.
• Manage planning work related to neighborhood context that includes assessment of neighborhoods, asset mapping, Geographic Information System ("GIS") analysis / parcel identification, neighborhood revitalization plans, and tracking neighborhood changes over time.
• Produce high quality graphic presentations using design software. Estimate development budgets utilizing industry standard software and methods.
• Evaluate and organize planning processes related to public and private investment in community- and neighborhood-level economic development and job creation projects, including assessing the depth and health of essential support infrastructure such as schools, job training facilities, transportation, lending institutions, aligned businesses, and other elements tied to a well-functioning local economy.
• Evaluate neighborhood-level economic opportunities and constraints on a portfolio-wide basis, providing analysis and project recommendations to create synergies between Atlanta Housing sites and align with citywide investment priorities and plans.
• Working with Atlanta Housing's cross-functional project teams and third-party vendors, lead daily tasks to implement best practice project management to ensure real estate and community development planning activities are documented and services are delivered on time and within budget.
• Prepare vendor scopes of work, cost estimates and budgets, work plan schedules and milestones, task order agreements, invoice approvals, and other contract administration tasks.
• Develop and facilitate community outreach strategies and meeting or workshop materials to support the planning activities described above, including utilizing online engagement platforms and applications.
• Serve as a liaison to City of Atlanta agencies related to Atlanta Housing's planning, entitlements, and community economic development efforts.
• Responsible for coordinating Atlanta Housing's project needs with City of Atlanta budgets, grant opportunities and land use policy.
• Monitor industry trends, products and services with real estate and community development industry groups, and provide recommendations to senior leadership to implement innovative, sustainable development solutions, improve internal processes, and utilize new and innovative tools and techniques.
• Identify grant and funding opportunities for development-related projects or community investment initiatives; and where appropriate secure funding and manage resources.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Requires technical expertise in planning, real estate, and community development with general knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to real estate and affordable housing development.
• Must be able to perform complex analysis, both quantitative and qualitative, with accuracy, attention to detail and follow-through. Must have demonstrable knowledge of COA planning and zoning requirements, as well as policies and procedures related to housing and neighborhood redevelopment.
• Ability to read and interpret master plans, regulatory codes and zoning requirements, maps and other technical documents is essential, as is the ability to understand and synthesize the physical impacts of planning and policy decisions on land development and building design and prepare conceptual master plans for Atlanta Housing development sites.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse populations and a broad range of audiences, engaging community residents, partners, senior management, Atlanta Housing staff, government officials, business, and industry partners.
• Must demonstrate leadership, judgment, tact and diplomacy in dealing with internal and external customers.
• Ability to provide team leadership for project activities in cross-functional environment.
• Requires high energy level and strong organizational skills with ability to multi-task on problems of complex scope in an environment of shifting priorities.
• Rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish assigned tasks and goals; uses a broad range of creativity.
• Initiative is extremely valuable.
• Work requires excellent professional-level verbal and written communication skills, capacity for advanced problem solving, and ability to present complex information and data clearly.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, Planning or related field.
• Master's or multiple degrees desirable.
• Membership in related professional organizations preferred, such as designation as a Certified Planner (AICP).
• Requires at least five years of professional planning or community development experience, as well as experience engaging community residents and stakeholders in the planning process.
• Demonstrated proficiency of current office technology and software application(s) including Microsoft Office, ESRI ArcGIS, and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop). Knowledge of AutoCAD or 3d modeling a plus. Demonstrated group facilitation skills for community visioning, outreach and workshops.
• Experience with projects or planning in the City of Atlanta a plus.

Working Conditions:

Works in a hybrid office / remote environment. May also include site visits and fieldwork on undeveloped sites or vacant buildings. Must have a valid State of Georgia driver's license and be fully insurable for the purpose of obtaining clearance on company "Authorized Drivers List". Work requires ability to attend limited evening and weekend meetings depending on project needs.