Join the team of an active planning department in Ulster County the heart of the Hudson Valley. A great place to live, work, play, and grow.   

With over 100 miles of bike trails and thousands of acres in state parks, Ulster County is offers many advantages to those with active lifestyles. Just a short drive from New York City, the County enjoys a vibrant tourist economy that offers locals access to a sophisticated art and music scene, restaurants, brewpubs, and a myriad of festivals.  The County and its communities are leaders in environmental protection and community development.

The County Planning Department is a dynamic partner in advancing the County’s key initiatives of a green new deal, tackling the opioid crisis, grow and diversify our economy, ensure justice for all residents, and create a more responsive and responsible county government.   The Department engages in a broad array of activities including housing affordability and production, environmental protection, land use, agriculture, and economic development.  The Department is responsible for planning and implementing special projects as exemplified by the recently completed award-winning 11.8 mile Ashokan Rail Trail that stretches along a terminal reservoir supplying water to New York City.  Two additional rail-trails under the Department’s purview will go to construction in 2021.  The Department is also the host agency to the Ulster County Transportation Council that serves as a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for transportation planning within the region.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are central to our mission both from what we do and our approach to each other; gaining value from our differences and respect from our accomplishments.

Add your skills to help us to grow the excellence and innovation of a county with a strong commitment to a better future for all.

OVERALL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
To lead priority assignments of the Department as directed such as trail projects, housing action activities, major planning studies, and to coordinate activities of others within in the Department, conduct public and stakeholder outreach, and provide assistance to other departments, and communities.  Assist in policy development and implementation including open space and community development opportunities/needs. 

 REQUIREMENTS:
Master’s degree in Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Administration or closely related field and four (4) years of work experience in the planning of a municipality or region with at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity or Bachelor’s degree in the areas noted prior and five (5) years of work experience, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrates excellent capabilities of project management and team building. Knowledge and understanding of Ulster County, including its geography, planning policies, local governments, trends, and challenges. Familiarity with zoning codes, environmental regulations, and planning processes. General knowledge of a wide range of state and federal agencies rules, programs and processes as they relate to planning and development. General knowledge of design principles and technical skills in reading plans and specifications.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
The successful candidate will possess the following competencies:

 •             Outcome Orientation – Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external goals and faces problems with solutions

•              Acts with stakeholders and public in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with involved parties and ability to create effective working groups and gains the trust and respect for those in contact with.

•              Effective Communication: Can thoughtfully explain complex issues, Comfortable, confident, and skilled in making presentations to large groups, with an ability to work to achieve consensus and build coalitions.

•              Perseverance – Pursues everything with energy, drive, doesn’t give up in the face of resistance

•              Time Management – Uses time effectively and efficiently; values time; concentrates efforts on the more important priorities; can independently prioritize tasks; can attend to a broad range of activities; makes 
               decisions in a timely fashion. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

•              Teamwork / Working Independently – Is comfortable working in teams as well as independently with little supervision.

•              Innovation/Learning – Picks up concepts quickly, comfortable learning new information and processes. Is comfortable both asking questions of others and being asked. 

•              Organizing – Confident in learning the processes necessary to complete tasks; knows how to organize tasks and people to get things done.

•              Patience – Is tolerant and sensitive with people and processes.

ULSTER COUNTY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, disabled veteran status, or status as a member of any other protected group or activity.