Job Listing
🔗Urban Planner II – Historic Preservation Studio
Website City of Atlanta, Department of City Planning, Office of Design
The Urban Planner II is responsible for supporting the successful implementation of: Atlanta City Design, the City of Atlanta’s historic preservation program regulations, and policies, the responsibilities of the Atlanta Urban Design Commission, the Future Places Project, and the initiatives of the Office of Design. Duties at this level include, but are not limited to: providing quality customer service to the stakeholders of Atlanta; ensuring that project applications, project design reviews, staff reports, enforcement actions, research projects, and open record requests are processed efficiently and in a timely manner; and performing administrative, analytical and technical functions in support of the development, implementation and monitoring of the City’s historic preservation and urban design programs, regulations, and policies.
This work is done in close collaboration with the Office of Design’s other functional units – the Public Space Studio and the Planning Studio – as well as other offices of the Department of City Planning, other City agencies, community members, and private sector partners.
This would be accomplished with very general supervision from the Preservation Studio Assistant Director.
General Description & Classification Standards
The City of Atlanta Department of City Planning (DCP) is committed to implementing Atlanta City Design and transforming Atlanta into the best possible version of itself. Adopted into the city charter in December 2017, Atlanta City Design articulates an aspiration for the future city that Atlantans can fall in love with, knowing that if people love their city, they will make better decisions about it.
The Office of Design of the Department of City Planning provides leadership for the physical design of the city. It accomplishes this through the design of physical plans for the logical organization of our future city, creation of vibrant public spaces that cultivate public life, and architectural guidance, including preservation, of high-quality buildings that contribute to a cohesive public realm. This work is framed by Atlanta City Design and driven by the desire to design a city for everyone in the most inclusive way possible.
The Historic Preservation Studio of the Office of Design is responsible for the implementation of all the City of Atlanta’s historic preservation programs and activities at all scales – from the entire city, to districts, neighborhoods, blocks, streets and buildings. These programs and activities include architectural review using historic preservation design regulations within a public-facing process; wide-ranging technical assistance to individual property and business owners, City residents, community groups, outside researchers, other City agencies and other government entities; supporting the enforcement of the City’s historic preservation regulations; creating and managing programs and policies that advance the goals of the City’s historic preservation program; and incorporating the City’s historic places and spaces into its future. These actions will guide the physical and economic development of our rapidly growing city. The programs and activities must thoughtfully and creatively consider how best to leverage the value of the City’s historic places and spaces to achieve desired patterns and densities of development, support new types and levels for diverse affordable housing options, and create opportunities for parks and other public spaces that reinforce the City’s physical identity while also addressing existing community needs.
This is an experienced, professional level capable of carrying out most assignments typical of the profession with limited guidance or review. This level would be considered a promotional level and attainable by any incumbents in a work group who demonstrate the necessary knowledge, ability, and performance.
Supervision Received
Direction received is very general, focuses on end results, and is typically collaborative in nature. Candidate should be extremely self-motivated and willing to take initiative.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties shall be performed as assigned.
Design Review Processes and Atlanta Urban Design Commission Activities.
Act as the lead Staff person for the Atlanta Urban Design Commission and serve as the Commission’s Secretary under the supervision of the Assistant Director. Coordinates the creation of the Commission’s Agenda, minutes, and other documents required by City Code. Manage the design review process including the assignment and distribution of applications for review by other Staff. Using the City’s historic preservation regulations, process and fully analyze design review applications for private sector residential, commercial, institutional, and mixed-use designs including neighborhood-focused single-family and commercial, as well as high-profile, multi-phase developments. Complete Staff-level design reviews for renovations, maintenance work, and site work on all property types. Provide design commentary for substantial City of Atlanta and Atlanta Public School capital projects. Review proposed subdivisions for compliance with the City’s historic neighborhood design criteria in the Subdivision Ordinance. Provide design and regulatory analysis to the Zoning Review Board, Board of Zoning Adjustment, and SAP processes. Evaluate City public art installations and installations of public art on private property. Manage public engagement processes. Resolve community, applicant, and inter-agency concerns, including enforcement of the historic preservation regulations.
Compliance with Federal Section 106 Regulations
Complete Section 106 design reviews for housing rehabilitation, commercial revitalization and demolition actions. Advise City agencies on compliance with housing and community development projects. Review a wide variety of project types / construction documents for NRHP eligibility and compliance with Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. Implement programmatic/mitigation agreements on large scale individual projects and multi-year federal programs. Respond, as needed, to official information requests on behalf of the City.
Preservation Planning, Design, & Technical Assistance Programs
Support the designation of new Historic / Landmark districts and properties, including interaction with property owners, communities, and public officials. Revise historic preservation/design regulations. Provide strategic and technical assistance to the City’s historic and potentially historic neighborhoods and commercial areas. Advise other City agencies and outside consultant teams on a full range of preservation issues. Contribute to the success of the City’s Atlanta City Design, Historic Revitalization Strategy, Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and Capital Improvements Program (CIP) processes. Participate in regional historic preservation activities. Support National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nominations. Present the City’s historic preservation programs and initiatives to a wide variety of audiences, including elected officials and reviews boards.
General Office of Design / Departmental Programs
Assist with the process of establishing new zoning regulations for the City. Attend public meetings as required such as the Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU), community association meetings, and meetings required for historic preservation and urban design initiatives. Accept and intake applications and questions from internal and external customers for Historic Preservation related inquiries. Participate in planning studies and reports in support of new and updated plans, programs and regulations. Act as liaison between community groups, government agencies, developers and elected officials related to the City’s planning, development review, and historic preservation functions. Provide information to the public regarding development regulations. Assist in resolving citizen and customer issues. Conduct field evaluations and assessments. Maintain planning documents, codes and related regulations for research, documentation and public access. Use GIS to prepare maps, graphics, reports and related documents. Coordinate with the City Attorney, building officials, Zoning Review Board, Board of Zoning Adjustment and other public officials in matters relating to historic preservation, urban design, general zoning and development in the City.
Decision Making
Applies organizational policies. Establishes work methods, timetables, performance standards, etc. Selects from multiple procedures and methods to accomplish tasks.
Leadership Provided
Serves as a technical resource and mentor to other employees. May lead or instruct less experienced workers in high level or technical tasks.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list.
Nationally accepted historic preservation principles and concepts; historic preservation design guidelines and regulations; federal historic preservation law and review procedures; the National Register of Historic Places and its criteria; the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
Current/progressive concepts of historic preservation and urban design; local government design review, zoning, and planning procedures.
GIS and how to prepare maps, graphics and reports; spreadsheets, databases and software to help visualize and present design projects.
Planning and zoning, economic development and related principles, methodologies, processes and practices.
Historic preservation and urban planning research methodology, including field inspections, computer and electronic searches, and archive and file searches.
Principles and practices of developmental design and engineering, including historic preservation, architecture, landscape architecture, site design and development, and land use compatibility.
Oral communication and interpersonal relationships to explain rules, procedures and programs clearly to the public; creative problem-solving to gather relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems; and management of historic preservation planning and program analysis projects.
Read and interpret architectural and civil engineering plans, city regulations, procedures, master plans, regulatory codes, technical and operational documents, reports, research material and information, and maps; analyze applications and apply relevant regulatory ordinances and codes; operate and maintain a GIS computer system.
Prepare and present oral, written and graphic reports, documents, brochures and pamphlets, maps, and related historic preservation, general planning and development documentation.
Operate standard office equipment including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties; communicate effectively; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, customers, citizen groups and other employees.
Benefits
All NCPE interns received an hourly stipend, the rate is listed at each position description. Additionally, interns receive paid time off (PTO), paid Federal holidays if working full-time, and access to NCPE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for career and personal counseling, coaching, and referrals. Project sites may also offer a housing allowance and/or commuting stipend; this information is also listed in the description or offered during the interview.
Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate. To be eligible to earn a PLC certificate, an intern must be 30 years old or younger (or 35 if a veteran). Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Successful completion of a NCPE internship does not guarantee Federal employment. Contact manager@preservenet.org for more details.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be
*at least 18 years old;
*no older than 30 years of age (or 35 years if a Veteran) when beginning the internship; applicants who are 31 or older (or 36 or older if a Veteran) are not eligible;
*currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program at the college level (or recently graduated within the past 12 months)
*be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.
Interns are not allowed to work more than 1200 hours total in the program; previous interns must stay within this overall limit. The length of an internship can vary from 10 to 30 weeks if full-time (40 hours per week) or longer if on a part-time schedule. If selected, the exact starting date will be determined by you and the NPS supervisor. The stipend rate is $17.00 per hour unless otherwise listed.
The successful candidate is responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location; some exceptions apply. The supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodation.
The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Please be advised that you may also be required to wear a mask, depending on the protocols adopted by your work site. Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if you are selected for a position. This will include providing information about recent housing and employment history. The position supervisor will have more information about these requirements and procedures at the time of hiring. You may direct any questions to NCPE's Internship Program Director, Julee Johnson, at manager@preservenet.org.
Please note that interns are not NCPE or NPS employees. Stipends are academic awards and taxes are not withheld, nor are social security contributions made on your behalf. These funds may be taxable, however, so consult a tax preparation professional if you have questions.
How to Apply
You may review NCPE's internship opportunities anytime without registering. Use the search function to find listings by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Once you identify one or more positions of interest, there is a 3-step application process.
Step 1: Click on the Apply for Job button, then select Universal Application. Click on Register to create a User Account, which requires a username and email. A link will be sent to you from manager@preservenet.org to create a password. We suggest that you add this email to your safe senders list so you don't miss receiving this important link. You will be instructed to Log In to Preservenet using your username or email and password, which will take you back to the Universal Application.
Step 2: The Universal Application is required to apply for all NCPE internships. You fill out this form only once. In addition to contact information, educational status, work history, and experience, it requires two attachments: (1) the 2 most recent years of academic transcripts. These may be unofficial transcripts if official versions are unavailable. A PDF is preferred, labeled Your Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages are preferred. A PDF is preferred but jpg, png, doc, or docx file types are accepted. Label Your Last Name_Your First Name_Resume. This form may be saved as a draft and completed later. Use the link provided to return to the form.
Step 3: Once you submit the Universal Application, you may browse and apply for NCPE internships using the link provided. Complete the application process by clicking on the Apply for job button found at each internship listing and upload the required Essay. Use the essay to explain why you are applying for an internship, including how your interest areas will benefit the National Park Service (NPS) and how the internship will further your studies and career goals. Be as specific as possible; there is a 400-word maximum length. Submit the essay to finish the application for that position. You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during an application round; there is no limit at other times of the year. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
Once the deadline for submission has passed, NPS supervisors will review the applications and may contact candidates for a phone interview. Candidates who are not selected will be notified. Please allow about 4 weeks after the deadline before inquiring about the status of your application.
Logging in with a Registered User Account and completing the Universal Application is required to apply for NCPE Internships. Please visit the Universal Application page to register for an account and complete the form. After logging in and completing the form, refreshing this listing will display the Job Application to apply online.