Comprehensive Plan Implementation Coordinator, Louisiana

Comprehensive Plan Implementation Coordinator

The City of Shreveport, Louisiana and Caddo Parish (County) have recently adopted the
most comprehensive update to their master plan since its original completion in 1957. As
part of the implementation of that plan, and to prepare for a future shift in resources
toward strategic planning, the Shreveport Metropolitan PC of Caddo Parish is seeking a
qualified candidate whose primary initial role shall include the duties described herein.
Experienced planners, including an AICP member will be available to provide support
and assistance. However, the successful candidate shall possess the necessary
qualifications, leadership and communication skills to perform independently and
exercise proper judgment without the burden of incessant supervision.

Typical Duties
• Communicate, educate, collaborate and coordinate activities of government
departments, elected leaders, appointed boards and private or nonprofit groups as it
relates to the content or policies of the recently adopted comprehensive plan.
• Serve as the primary PC staff support to the Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) in their
continuing role as advocates for implementation of the comprehensive plan.
• Monitor or otherwise help identify grant opportunities and assist local teams in
preparing applications for funding assistance to implement the comprehensive plan.
• Provide input relative to the content or policies in the comprehensive plan to other
PC staff regarding development applications.
• Provide input relative to the content or policies in the comprehensive plan to local
elected officials and government departments regarding legislative agenda items.
• Provide input relative to the content or policies in the comprehensive plan to local
elected officials and government departments, in order to actively participate in the
development of department work plans and budgets (including annual capital
improvement budgets).
• Provide advocacy and assistance to various entities, including neighborhood or
citizen groups, in moving toward framework or neighborhood plans in the Planning
Districts or Sub-districts identified in the comprehensive plan.
• Organize, conduct and thereafter report on periodic public meetings in which the
status, including implementation progress, of the comprehensive plan is thoroughly
discussed and reviewed.
• Participate in the development of any new components or proposed updates to the
comprehensive plan including a minimum five-year program of exhaustive review.
Required Skills / Beneficial Strengths

A strong interest in the comprehensive planning process and implementation strategies
is essential to successful performance. Much of the comprehensive plan deals with the
need to reverse the trend and remedy the impact of significant sprawl without
appreciable growth. As such, familiarity and interest in the types of fiscal analysis
routinely generated relative to the cost of development to municipal government would
be beneficial. Similarly, a candidate should be extremely familiar with the complete
range of tools that are used to incentivise inner city development or redevelopment.
Significant related strategies include integrating a connected, multi-purpose open space
(“green”) network into the development pattern.

Perhaps the most important skills are those that result in effective and appropriate
written or verbal communication. A rigid sense of ethics and propriety will assist in
making sure that this communication is consistently and objectively based on the
principles and policies contained in the comprehensive plan. Moreover, the process of
developing the plan was transformational in its use of transparent, public-based forums
and decision-making. It is essential that such methods be maintained during
implementation and any process going forward.

Minimum Qualifications
The position requires a graduate degree in planning or a highly relevant related field.
Relevant undergraduate fields of study or degrees are highly desirable. As entry-level
candidates are encouraged to apply, AICP certification is not mandatory. However, it is
expected that the successful candidate will ultimately meet all eligibility requirements in
due course and maintain AICP membership. The successful candidate will receive a
very competitive compensation package, commensurate with their qualifications and
experience. Applicants are encouraged to take note of the relatively low cost of quality
housing in the Shreveport MSA, and perform additional research regarding the local
culture and healthy economy. The comprehensive plan itself can be reviewed at
http://www.shreveportcaddomasterplan.com. Resumes, including professional and/or
academic references, along with a letter of interest will be accepted by e-mail or through
the postal service until the close of business on August 19, 2011 as follows:

Attention: Roy W. Jambor, AICP / PA
Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission of Caddo Parish
505 Travis Street, Suite 440
Shreveport, LA 71101
roy.jambor@shreveportla.gov
After a thorough review process, a number of candidates will be contacted regarding
travel arrangements to schedule personal interviews with a search committee