Environmental Planner / Senior Planner

Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board (STC) is growing and seeking an Environmental Planner / Senior Planner to work on a diverse portfolio of regional planning and environmental initiatives across a three-county region. This position offers flexibility to hire at either the Planner or Senior Planner level, depending on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and demonstrated leadership capacity.

This is a unique opportunity to work at a regional planning board providing hands-on technical assistance, training, and professional planning support to local governments and partner organizations. The position includes a strong focus on environmental and water-related planning, including flood mitigation, watershed protection, development review, and grant-funded programs.

This is a full-time civil service position. Planner-level positions are approved under New York State's HELPs program (no civil service exam required at this time). Regular attendance at evening meetings is required (average of two per month).

Expected Salary Range: $55,000 to $80,000

About the Role

STC seeks a motivated planning professional with an interest in environmental and community planning. Depending on level, the position may involve leading projects independently, mentoring junior staff, helping set work priorities, and providing technical expertise in environmental planning, flood mitigation, and development review.

STC anticipates hiring multiple planners and is particularly interested in candidates with experience or interest in:

• Environmental and Water Resource Planning
• Flood Mitigation and Watershed Management
• Grant Writing and Grant Administration
• Development and Land Use Review

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a flood mitigation and water resource planning specialist
• Prepare, lead, and/or contribute to comprehensive plans
• Draft and revise zoning laws and land-use regulations
• Conduct professional reviews of development proposals
• Provide training and technical assistance to municipal officials and boards
• Participate in meetings, seminars, conferences, and interagency coordination at the local, state, and federal levels
• Prepare reports and technical deliverables associated with grant-funded projects
• Conduct planning and environmental studies for municipalities and regional initiatives
• Assist with or lead grant writing, administration, and compliance
• Collect, analyze, and interpret planning, environmental, and spatial data
• Prepare and deliver presentations to committees, boards, and local legislatures
• For Senior Planner level: provide guidance, mentoring, and leadership to junior planning staff and assist with project prioritization and coordination

Qualifications

A bachelor's or master's degree in planning, environmental studies, geography, public administration, engineering, or a related field, along with relevant professional experience of one or more years.

The ideal candidate will have experience and knowledge in floodplain management, hazard mitigation planning, watershed planning, climate resiliency planning; grant writing, administration, and reporting; development and land use review; and working knowledge of New York State procedures, planning board best practices, and zoning law review.

Preferred Certifications & Technical Skills:

• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) and/or association with ASFM
• AICP Certification
• GIS / ArcGIS experience

Work Environment

STC is a small friendly team of professionals who work closely together to meet the needs of the region. The collaborative office environment provides a flexible 35-hour work week and extensive benefits including NYS Retirement System, 457 plans, and platinum-level health insurance. Policies allowing for a 4-day work week exist and an accommodating family-friendly flexible schedule is allowed.

How to Apply

Please apply by submitting a resume, relevant work samples, and a cover letter to Chelsea Robertson, Executive Director, at crobertson@stcplanning.org.