The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enriches the environment and protects public health for all New Yorkers by providing 1.1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. DEP's water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system’s 2,000 square mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the city.

The Bureau of Water Supply seeks to hire a City Planner IV for a position with the City Land Stewardship Section, Watershed Lands and Community Planning Division within in the Source Water Protection Directorate, located in Valhalla, New York. The City Land Stewardship Section is responsible for the perpetual management, stewardship and administration of New York City owned watershed and water supply lands.

Under general direction, of the City Land Stewardship Section Chief, the City Planner IV will serve as Deputy Chief and will serve as Permit and License Program Supervisor and will coordinate, oversee and implement a variety of property management functions on City owned watershed and water supply lands. They will coordinate the issuance and renewal of revocable Land Use Permits and agricultural licenses, administer and manage real property interests benefitting or burdening City-owned lands, conduct research related to property management and real property dispositions and the manage community-driven projects requiring use of City owned lands. Specific duties include:

- Supervising and overseeing a staff of four land management professionals.

- Planning and coordinating near-term and long-term activities related to the timely issuance and efficient management of Land Use Permits and agricultural licenses for use and occupancy of City-owned lands, consistent with applicable City rules and regulations.

- Developing an annual work plan, ensuring its completion, responding to changing goals and directing and prioritizing staff workload as needed.

- Performing human resource functions for assigned staff such as conducting annual performance evaluations, supporting employee development with mentoring and coaching, timekeeping, and ensuring compliance with applicable equal employment opportunity and health and safety policies.

- Developing and overseeing procurement budget in support of Land Use Permits and licenses, ensuring procurement bid specifications are accurate and submitted on time, ensuring that City funds are spent effectively.

- Administering and overseeing the processing of $2.5 million in annual revenues generated from Land Use Permits and agricultural licenses in accordance with the City Land Stewardship Financial Management Policy and other agency or City directives, staying abreast of bureau, agency and City procurement rules and processes.

- Supporting the coordination of property disposition actions as needed or requested, managing real property inquires related to property interests affecting City owned lands, including analysis of Rights of Way.

- Developing intergovernmental agreements and other property instruments for use of City lands.

- Coordinating with other internal work units and external partners, state and local agencies, permittees and licensees to ensure effective planning and implementation of activities occurring on City lands.

- Serving as liaison to Department of Environmental Protection’s Land Acquisition Program and other Department of Environmental Protection programs that involve City lands.

- Serving as the project manager on important and high-profile projects that involve use of City lands.

- Ensuring the Watershed Land Information System (WaLIS), an internal proprietary database, is accurately tracking Land Use Permits, licenses and related land management activities, developing workflow and generating reports as needed for City Land Stewardship Section Chief and other bureau and agency staff.

- Developing and implementing policies for the issuance, management and financial administration of Land Use Permits and licenses, including those related to rights-of-way over City lands, recommending changes for promulgation of new Land Use Permits rules and spearheads efforts to updates these rules in coordination with other work units including the Bureau of Legal Affairs.

- Being responsible for developing natural resource and property management plans as needed or requested.

- Ensuring records are developed and archived for City-owned lands as needed or requested.


(This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)



Preferred Skills:

- Driver’s license valid in the State of New York.

- Knowledge and proficient use of all Microsoft Office programs.

- Database management skills.

- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) knowledge and experience.

- Ability to learn and use Watershed Land Information System (WaLIS) on a daily basis.

- Knowledge of public sector accounting practices and principles.

- Familiarity with Quick Books accounting software.

- Experience working on land and property management-related projects.

- Knowledge of real property management issues, laws and policies.

- Experience in reading and understanding deeds or other property management documents.

- Knowledge of takings and condemnation procedures, instruments, and history.

- Experience working with partners and stakeholders and leading interdisciplinary teams.

- Ability to plan projects and see them through implementation until completion.

- Knowledge of water supply protection and watershed management.

- Ability to understand, interpret drawings, surveys, and maps.

- Ability to understand and able to communicate DEP policies and regulations.

- Ability to work well with others, and to function independently while leading a team of professional staff.

- Ability to work independently but knows when to engage supervisor for guidance and direction.

- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

- Ability to perform advance planning and manage multiple projects efficiently from start to completion.

- Excellent communication skills, both in writing, speaking, and public presentations.

- Ability to work cooperatively with others including DEP staff, partner organizations and watershed stakeholders.

- Ability to juggle multiple complex projects while supervising several staff.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and two years of satisfactory full-time experience in city planning; or

2. 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 for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree.

Special Qualification Requirements

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

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

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City residency is not required for this position.

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.

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Permit and License Program Supervisor