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.

The Principal Planner will be responsible for leading the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District’s (the District) wastewater planning and policy efforts including facilitating stakeholder groups of water resource professionals within the District, understanding current and proposed changes to regulatory requirements, providing technical support to regional communities, participating in regional stakeholder initiatives and performing project management of multi-jurisdictional studies. This position will work with other staff as well as local government technical staff while developing programs and materials in support of regional and local educational needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides policy recommendations related to wastewater management by coordinating with affected stakeholders. These include The District’s Technical Coordinating Committee and Basin Advisory Council, the District Governing Board, non-governmental organizations, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division as well as internal stakeholders in ARC’s Community Development and Transportation Departments;
• Provides planning and policy input on water resources issues affecting the metro Atlanta region such as nutrient loading, asset management, reduction of sewer spills, ridgeline transfers, biosolids, potable and non-potable reuse, integrated master planning, septic management, sustainability, and adaptation and resilience to climate change and extreme weather events;
• Provides lead direction to assigned staff, assigning work and monitoring work completion and/or supervises completion and/or supervises contract and/or temporary staff;
• Provides support to the District’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) as the subject matter expert on wastewater management to support implementation of the District’s Water Resources Management Plan. Develop workshops and other capacity building offerings either internally or with external partners. Work with TAP to further develop its menu of offerings by offering training to appropriate stakeholders;
• Working with watershed management staff, provide high-level assistance and an integrated approach to drive point and non-point source pollution reduction to address nutrient issues across the region and state;
• Supports ongoing efforts to restore the Upper Flint River using an integrated water management approach (the “Finding the Flint” project);
• Provides support on the District’s Septic System Impacts to Water Quality Study and incorporate study outcomes into District plans and policies as needed;
• Conducts and/or attends trainings and educational workshops on topics related to wastewater management, this includes developing curriculum and materials as needed;
• Attend various meetings throughout the region, as well as periodic presentations delivered at ARC or partner agency committees and board meetings (some work-related commitments will occur outside of normal business hours);
• Coordinates and facilitates wastewater stakeholder groups as needed (e.g. Lake Lanier Stakeholders);
• Coordinates with ARC’s climate resilience planning team to support the execution of ARC’s approach to climate change, resilience, and adaptation planning for the Atlanta region; and
• Performs other duties as assigned to support agency goals and objectives.

REQUIRED  KNOWLEDGE,  SKILLS,  ABILITIES  AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of wastewater rules and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels;
• Knowledge and understanding of wastewater infrastructure and asset management;
• Experience with the principles of Integrated Water Management;
• Ability to independently manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders;
• 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;
• Proficient in standard office equipment, Microsoft Office, and related software applications;
• 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
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible related experience in water resources management planning and/or engineering

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and 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 QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in environmental engineering, environmental planning, natural resources management, environmental science, or related field
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible related experience in water resources management planning and/or engineering