Job Opportunities

Job Code:	CPS-1122
Job Title:	Regional Planner II/III
Job Type:	Full-time job
Department:	Community Planning and Services
Salary:	Grade 6: $48,364 - $68,532 or Grade 7: $53,163 - $75,385
Normal Work Schedule:	Monday thru Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Date Posted:	4/8/2013
Description:	Established in 1957, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is an independent nonprofit association comprised of elected officials from 22 local governments, members of the Maryland and Virginia state legislatures, and members of the U.S. Congress. As the regional planning organization for the metropolitan Washington area, COG works on a wide spectrum of issues that affect the region’s quality of life, growth, and development, including planning, transportation, environment, health, and public safety. COG’s signature initiative is Region Forward, a vision plan for a more livable, accessible, sustainable, and prosperous region.   POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:   The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments seeks a Regional Planner for its Department of Community Planning & Services. The Planner will expand the capacity of the Economy Forward Initiative and the goals of Region Forward by providing research, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and technical planning on a variety of topics related to growth management, land use, economic development, and housing. The ideal candidate will have excellent analytical and research skills, strong writing abilities, and a demonstrated ability to use data to tell compelling stories.   The Regional Planner will be the primary researcher and data analyst for the department, serving a leading role in producing several regional research products. Specific research projects will include preparation of: ·         The annual Commercial Construction report from private or public data sources ·         Annual Economic Trends report using  a variety of public and private data sources ·         Demographic, housing, and commuting research usingDecennial Census & American Community Survey (ACS) data ·         Cooperative Forecasts of population, households and employment ·         Labor market and workforce analysis ·         Expansion and management of a subsidized and market-rate housing database, utilizing federal datasets, jurisdiction-reported data, and commercial datasets ·         Developing revised targets for Region Forward and the update to the Region Forward Baseline Report ·         Providing data and research for opportunity mapping and health impact assessments (HIAs)   In addition to these main projects, the Regional Planner will also provide research and data support for other departmental efforts. Duties and activities will include: ·         Staff support and related activities for the Cooperative Forecasting Subcommittee ·         Development of related research reports, memos, website content, maps, and PowerPoint presentations ·         Delivering presentations, briefing officials, committees, and other professional groups ·         Coordinating with data managers and researchers at member agencies and other organizations to secure data and leverage existing research ·         Coordinating with other departments within COG, including the Departments of Transportation Planning, the Department of Human Services and Public Safety and the Department of Environmental Programs   REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:   ·         Background and work experience in planning or policy. Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in urban planning, public policy, geography, or a closely related field preferred. ·         Familiarity with how land use planning, economic development, affordable housing development, and transportation planning are carried out at the local and regional levels. ·         Excellent statistical analysis and related quantitative analysis skills, including a desire to devote a significant portion of work time to data mining, analysis, and presentation of results. Demonstrated experience with MS Excel is essential, experience with MS Access and SAS is highly desired ·         Strong GIS skills. ·         Familiarity with database design and management a plus.     EEO EMPLOYER To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter, salary history, and resume to: The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments/ Human Resources 777 North Capitol Street, NE  Suite 300 Washington, DC  20002-4239 Visit our website at:  www.mwcog.org  or  Fax:  202-962-3715

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