Federal Planning Activities Lead

Job Description

* IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION CANDIDATE MUST BE SERVING PERMANENTLY IN THE TITLE, OR BE REACHABLE ON THE LIST.*

NYC DOT is seeking a Federal Planning Activities Lead to oversee the development and management of the agency's federally funded planning portfolio. Working at the intersection of planning, fiscal management, data, and agency strategy, this role directs the administration of the agency’s Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), ensuring that federal planning resources are deployed efficiently and strategically to advance mayoral and agency priorities.

Working to support DOT’s goal of ensuring the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods across NYC, the incumbent will report to the Deputy Director for Planning Coordination on the Regional & Long-Term Planning team (R<P). That team provides internal policy guidance on metropolitan planning; leads innovative programs and data initiatives; engages regional partners on megaprojects and in metropolitan planning fora; strategically manages the agency’s federal planning funds; and supports coordination at the City’s periphery.

Under general supervision, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, the incumbent will supervise one staff member and serve as a key technical resource to DOT project managers, senior leadership, and regional partner organizations. The position requires deft people skills, including the ability to build effective working relationships, to coordinate across organizational boundaries, to explain complex requirements clearly, and to exercise sound judgment in working with diverse stakeholders. The incumbent will develop and maintain expertise in metropolitan planning processes and federal planning requirements, with a focus on continuously improving the systems, workflows, and tools used to manage the agency's UPWP.

The position offers broad exposure to the planning and policy functions of one of the nation's largest transportation agencies. It is well suited to an analytical, systems-oriented professional who combines strong communication and interpersonal skills with a focus on ensuring seamless and efficient operational workflows and precise and timely grant management. The general duties of the role will combine program management, fiscal administration, and process improvement across the agency's federal planning portfolio, with the following specific responsibilities:

(1) Lead the development and administration of the agency’s annual Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). Coordinate with DOT billing units and senior leadership to identify core and discretionary planning studies, develop program budgets, and manage grant amendments and program modifications.

(2) Supervise staff performing analytical and administrative grant activities. Ensure accuracy and accountability across the federal planning activities portfolio while developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and improving grant related workflows. Track grant-funded headcount.

(3) Manage quarterly fiscal and claims processes. Develop and review workbooks incorporating personnel and contract-related data; use NYC's Financial Management System (FMS) to develop baseline budget modifications and coordinate with agency fiscal teams on annual reconciliation; and automate routine fiscal processes, including quarterly journaling between federal and City budget codes. Maintain internal tracking systems, file structures, and performance metrics.

(4) Interface with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC). Coordinate the timely submission of biannual reports, activity deliverables, and quarterly claim packages, and serve as a principal point of contact for related program administration. Lead the agency’s participation in regular emissions conformity cycles.

(5) Provide technical guidance and reporting to DOT program areas and leadership. Advise work units, project managers, and DOT's Program, Finance, and Administration Committee (PFAC) representative to NYMTC; work collaboratively with stakeholders to resolve issues and communicate program requirements; and translate grant, budget, and program data into high-impact presentations, briefing materials, and other decision-support products for senior leadership and external agencies, including but not limited to the NYC Office of Management & Budget.

CITY PLANNER - 22122

Qualifications

1. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in city planning, urban planning, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, transportation engineering, public administration, economic development or a related field; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and one year of satisfactory full-time experience in city planning such as in the review and
development of housing, transportation, environmental, and city-owned land planning projects; or

3. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to "1" above. Graduate education in city planning, urban planning, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, transportation engineering, public administration, economic development or related fields may be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 graduate semester credits from an accredited college or university for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree.

4. To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level III, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, two additional years of professional experience as described in "2" above.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.