Public Participation Planner
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
Professional Area:
Participation and Empowerment
Experience:
3-5 years
Contact person:
Beth Wichser
Phone:
215-592-1800
Fax:
215-592-9125
Email:
resumes@dvrpc.org
Location:
Philadelphia, PA
DVRPC is seeking a professional who is enthusiastic about regional planning and transportation, has experience in public participation, government affairs, or communications, and has demonstrated an ability to translate complex issues into cohesive visions, processes, or reports. This person will join a strong team of planning and communications professionals, manage DVRPC’s Title VI Compliance Program, assist with public noticing, respond to or facilitate the response to public comments, and develop project-specific, as well as agency-wide public outreach campaigns.
DVRPC’s Office of Communications and Engagement oversees the Commission’s communications strategy and messaging; develops public participation, outreach and engagement activities; and maintains and builds new relationships with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders. The Office is engaged in a wide variety of activities across the Commission, broadly grouped into four overlapping categories: Communications, Engagement, Equity, and Special Initiatives.
This position will be supervised by the Manager of the Office of Communications and Engagement, and will assist the Commission’s Communications Manager. Work is performed with considerable independence at the full level of professional competence but is reviewed by a supervisor during progress and upon completion. This position’s work is to be performed in accordance with broadly-defined objectives and professional standards.
Responsibilities
- Work on DVRPC’s Title VI and Environmental Justice compliance program, tracking agency-wide projects, refining public outreach/involvement techniques, and compile data, and in particular demographic data.
- Refine and revise DVRPC’s Public Participation Plan and Title VI Compliance Plan as needed.
- Assist in managing DVRPC’s Public Participation Task Force and Environmental Justice Working Group.
- Work in project teams on various planning and research projects, create or lead public outreach activities, and prepare reports summarizing findings and recommendations.
- Present findings and conclusions or solicit input and feedback from a steering committee, technical advisory committee, and the general public, as appropriate.
- Plan and execute special events for specific planning programs/projects and for the Commission as a whole.
- Represent the Office at internal meetings, and represent the Commission at external meetings.
- Perform related planning, communications, and administrative work as required.
Qualifications
- Expertise with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to use word processing, database and desktop publishing software.
- Experience in public participation, public outreach, facilitation, and/or communications.
- Experience and interest in issues of equity and environmental justice.
- Experience managing projects, and especially projects that include public participation and/or public commenting.
- Experience in, or demonstrated interest in learning, effective public relations techniques, effective use of social media platforms constituent relationship management software, and earned/paid media and web analytics.
- Knowledge of the principles, practices, and objectives of planning, and understanding of MPO roles and processes.
- Knowledge of research methods and planning techniques, including background or training in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
- Ability to focus on details and possess strong organizational skills.
- Ability to present effectively in oral and written forms.
- Ability to work with and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of stakeholders.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and the general public.
Minimum Experience & Training
THREE YEARS of professional experience in transportation planning, city/regional planning, public outreach, and/or public policy, and such training as may have been gained through graduation from a four year college/university, with major course work in a planning-related discipline. An equivalent combination of education and professional experience in planning, engineering/design, social science research, journalism, public outreach, public administration, or public policy will be considered. A Master’s degree may be substituted for one year of professional experience.