SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER
The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) is seeking a qualified individual to serve as a Senior Environmental Planner. The senior planner will lead the development of Priority and Comprehensive Climate Action Plans through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Grant Program. All planning efforts will be carried out in collaboration with local/state/federal officials, community stakeholders, community-based organizations, and the public.
ABOUT US
MARC, the association of local governments and metropolitan planning organization for the bistate Kansas City region, promotes and supports cooperation on regional issues, including the environment, transportation, our workforce and economy, aging services, community development, quality early learning, public safety communications and emergency services. MARC has a collaborative work environment with a culture based on integrity, innovation, diversity and inclusion, excellence in performance and service leadership.
MARC prepares a variety of regional plans, including a Metropolitan Transportation Plan, Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, Clean Air Action Plan, MetroGreen, and a Green Infrastructure Framework. With Climate Action KC, MARC adopted a Regional Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2021, framing a collaborative, integrated, systems-based, equity-focused agenda linking environment, transportation, food, public health, solid waste, energy efficiency, and other sectors.
The senior planner will work within a new climate planning team within MARC’s Transportation and Environment department. S/he will lead the update of the CAP as part of broader efforts to refine, prioritize and implement associated plans, policies, programs, and projects. The planner will help lead and facilitate community-engagement efforts linked to the plan update and provide support for various MARC committees including the Climate and Environment Council, assist in the development of the regional greenhouse gas inventory update, a climate-focused performance measurement framework, an environmental justice benefits assessment, and a regional climate communications plan, among others.
ABOUT THIS POSITION
The senior planner will assist in the support of one or more regional committees or subcommittees that provide oversight to regional climate planning efforts. The senior planner will work with other MARC departments, including the agency’s research department to develop relevant data and analytics, the transportation staff on resilience/transportation issues, and with the public affairs staff to develop information to support a comprehensive community education and engagement process involving local officials, other stakeholders, and the public. The senior planner will be responsible for collecting and analyzing information about climate strategies; meeting with local officials and other stakeholders to discuss plans and policies; and identifying potential approaches to enhance the region’s resilience through supportive policies, programs, and practices. And, the senior planner will be responsible for organizing and co-facilitating regional community and equity-focused engagement efforts including regional workshops, local government and community-based climate action planning, and coordination of an Environmental Justice Coordination Committee.
What you’ll do
• Lead a process to update the Regional Climate Action Plan in service of building climate resilience.
• Support activities of the Climate & Environment Council and its subcommittees.
• Facilitate climate planning services for local governments and environmental justice-focused community-based organizations.
• Refine the Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment.
• Support development of environmental benchmarks/performance measures and targets.
• Support updated greenhouse gas inventory and related modeling applications.
• Facilitate intradepartmental and interagency collaboration on climate resilience planning and implementation.
• Provide support towards grant writing for various climate resilience opportunities.
• Administer a federal EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Grant.
ABOUT YOU
Skills you’ll need
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of climate resilience, urban and regional planning, environmental planning, and community planning and/or other related disciplines.
• Strong project management and group facilitation skills.
• The ability to be effective in working with diverse constituencies, including local government officials, state and federal agencies, internal and external boards and committees and the public.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interact with internal staff; effectively communicates with the general public, media, and outside organizations to successfully present information, respond to questions and consult with others.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to handle multiple demands simultaneously, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral, written communication and public speaking skills, strong group facilitations skills, and experience with communicating regional climate resilience, land use, and transportation planning concepts.
• Skills in operating computer programs using spreadsheet, database, word processing, geographic information systems, and other similar programs.
• Skills in interpreting complex graphic and/or computer output related to urban and regional planning processes.
• Knowledge of the principles of research, standard statistical procedures, sources of planning information, and techniques used in the preparation of materials for presentation.
• Skill in developing grant proposals and managing grant implementation.
Basic requirements
• The position requires a minimum of five years of experience and a master’s degree in regional, environmental or transportation planning, environmental studies, geography, public administration, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience using data and data tools to drive decisions in innovative directions.
• All positions require successful and progressively responsible and related work experience, and project management experience.
Additional qualifications
Your resume will stand out if you have:
• Certification from American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Starting salary for a senior planner is from $60,000 to $75,000 per year, depending upon qualifications. MARC offers an attractive team-oriented work environment along with a competitive fringe benefit package. MARC offers employees the flexibility to work remotely for up to two days per work week.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, complete our online application form and attach your cover letter and resume. For more information, visit marc.org/jobs.
MARC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. MARC may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
Link to Job Posting: Click Here
Link to Apply for Job: Click Here
