POSITION SUMMARY:

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 performed through professional planning initiatives, the provision of objective information, and the involvement of the community in collaborative partnerships.

ARC has an established track record of moving the region forward in the face of significant challenges such as water planning and management. The agency is influential with local governments that collectively stand to significantly impact the region's climate resiliency. In this way, ARC is uniquely positioned to offer a powerful combination of knowledge and resources to make a difference.

The Planning Administrator (Climate Lead) will be responsible for supporting strategy development and managing the execution of ARC’s approach to climate change, resilience, and adaptation planning for the Atlanta region. The Planning Administrator will work cross-collaboratively with ARC leadership and various departments across the agency. The Planning Administrator will work with local governments and stakeholder groups to share knowledge and opportunities for incorporating strategies on a local and regional scale.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee and coordinate climate change, resilience, and adaptation planning and programming with the multi-discipline leadership team and planning initiatives of ARC including transportation, clean energy, water resources, land development, mobility, aging, security, workforce, and other related initiatives;
• Supervises staff including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, discipline and termination procedures; or coordinates highly technical, enterprise-wide functions, as assigned and/or provides lead direction as assigned;
• Identify opportunities to mitigate climate change and mitigate climate risks on a regional and local scale;
• Work with a multi-disciplinary team at ARC to develop climate change targets/goals for the region;
• Develop external climate change partnerships, connecting with leaders, organizations, and their resources to advance regional climate change efforts;
• Ensure that local governments are offered technical assistance as new programs are developed;
• Spearhead new regional outreach initiatives based on research and needs of stakeholders;
• Maintain an understanding of current and proposed regulatory requirements and grant opportunities;
• Perform other duties as assigned to support agency goals and objectives.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Supervisory principles, practices, and techniques;
• Practices and methods of coaching and leading the work of others;
• Knowledge of federal, state, regional, and local climate change, resilience, and adaptation planning rules and guidance;
• Knowledge of climate science and best practices for resilience and adaptation planning;
• Ability to independently manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders;
• Ability to effectively manage budgets and schedules;
• Ability to independently think through assignments comprehensively and creatively;
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and precisely through a combination of verbal, written and graphic means;
• Ability to present to a variety of audiences, from small groups of internal technical staff to larger groups of external public and private stakeholders;
• Skill in oral and written communications as well as public speaking; 
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
• Possess strong interpersonal skills, communication skills and conflict resolution skills.

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 work 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 QUALIFICATONS:

• Master’s degree in engineering, environmental science, climate science, sustainability, public administration, or other related fields;
• Ten (10) years’ experience overall including at least six (6) years’ experience in climate change, resilience, and adaptation project or program management, or similar related experience;
• Previous experience working with local governments;

ARC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability in employment or the provision of services.