*** In order to be considered for this position, candidate must be either serving permanently in the City Planner Title, be reachable on the Civil Service List, or eligible through the 55a Program ***

The Division of Transportation Planning and Management (TPM) is responsible for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods on the City's streets, supporting the larger goals of economic and social vitality for people living, working, and doing business in New York City. The Division’s responsibilities include planning, street design, technical analysis, signs, transit development, freight mobility and markings, ensuring the safety of motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and cyclists. The multidisciplinary Pedestrian and Public Space Unit is responsible for engaging New Yorkers to reimagine and utilize their city streets as public space and oversees the development of programs, policies, projects, and management tools to elevate the public realm experience for its primary user – the pedestrian. Through initiatives and programs ranging from the Pedestrian Mobility Plan, Public Space Programming, the Public Space Equity Program, Open Streets, Super Sidewalks, Street Seats, Complex Intersections, Shared Streets and Plazas, the Pedestrian and Public Space Unit creates vibrant and inclusive spaces that improve safety, accessibility, and walkability while enhancing commerce, community, and culture throughout New York City.

DOT is seeking an experienced and motivated Director of Strategic Initiatives for its Pedestrian and Public Space Unit in the Office of Street Improvement Programs (OSIP) within the Division of TPM. Reporting to the Unit’s senior leadership, the candidate will be responsible for overseeing a dynamic, complex, and fast paced set of public realm initiatives ranging from high profile visioning efforts to large scale planning and design initiatives, to supporting communications, policy, analysis, and advocacy across the Pedestrian and Public Space Unit, OSIP, and other DOT units. This role includes supervision over full time staff and may include college aides. The successful candidate will work collaboratively across internal DOT teams as well as with City Hall, other City agencies, State Authorities, and external partner organizations. This position will support and work collaboratively with the Senior Director in establishing objectives and workplan for the large portfolio of rapid response and capital projects in the unit. The candidate is expected to have knowledge of national and global precedents for strategic planning, analysis, street, landscape, infrastructure, and public design. Other chief responsibilities include, but are not limited to, working closely with public space partners to guide design decisions based on management, political, and local considerations, provide support for public engagement and communications, performance metrics and analysis, and planning priorities related to the portfolio of work. The candidate will collaborate with OSIP's Administration Team to identify staff training and development opportunities. Moreover, they will closely partner with OSIP's Admin team to secure funding for the Pedestrian and Public Space team. The candidate will be familiar with transportation engineering principles and policies and have knowledge about standards and specifications for pedestrian facilities, including AASHTO, MUTCD, and NACTO guidelines.

The Department of Transportation s (DOT) mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in the City of New York and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of our primary customers, City residents. DOT is an equal opportunity employer, committed to recruiting and maintaining a diverse workforce in an open and inclusive environment. Transportation Planning and Management (TPM) is responsible for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods on the City's streets, supporting the larger goals of economic and social vitality for people living, working, and doing business in New York City. The Division’s responsibilities include planning, street design, technical analysis, signs, transit development, freight mobility and markings, ensuring the safety of motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and cyclists.

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.

Minimum 5-10 years’ experience managing intra-agency, inter-agency, and other teams on large, complex projects, demonstrating strong collaborative tendencies. Thorough knowledge of the City’s pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and furnishing issues. Through knowledge of NYCDOT’s review and installation procedures. Experience with CAD, Adobe Suite and/or graphic design software desirable. Candidates should also have experience in budgeting, grants management, managing staff, and working to advance projects in a complex regulatory environment. Excellent written, editorial, and verbal communication and presentation skills

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 generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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.