Delaware County’s Planning Department is looking for several qualified applicants to join its professional planning team.

There are six openings available to Delaware County residents or those willing to relocate to the county within three months of starting their position.

Delaware County is made up of a complex group of 49 municipalities home to a demographically and economically diverse population of more than 550,000.

The following positions are available:

Community Engagement Specialist

This community engagement professional will encourage community conversations that will lead to better planning, decision-making and creation of a premier countywide green space and park system connected by safe places to walk and bicycle.

This creative thinker has excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills used to solve issues in the county, local communities and within a growing network of public and private partnerships.

They will work on a range of diverse projects in planning, conservation, stewardship, parks, trails, transportation, environment, historic preservation, community and regional planning and sustainability.  

That includes creating a strategic community engagement plan in collaboration with county officials, planners and related departments.

They will facilitate meetings with the public, partners, stakeholders and client groups, write and analyze engagement reports, provide input, information and materials to support internal and external communication efforts.

They will write or assist with proposals and business development activities, newsletters, flyers, emails and other digital communication, including a website and social media.

Required skills include strong analytical writing and oral communication skills, the ability to navigate challenging conversations among diverse groups and build consensus, develop training sessions, proficient use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and social media, working knowledge of GIS, and planning knowledge or background.

A related university degree is required along with a minimum of five years of job-related experience and a strong familiarity with community engagement.

Find out more about this position and how to apply.

Director of Planning

Delaware County needs an energetic and experienced planning professional to act as a key member of the county’s Executive Team, providing leadership for long-range planning and day-to-day management of the Planning Department.

The Director reports to the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO).

This director will work toward a vision of creating a sustainable, green and connected county of choice for residents, businesses and visitors.

The new director will have notable demonstrated success in economic development, business enterprises, green space, trails, historic preservation, and project implementation and delivery.

The Director of Planning works with County Council, the CSO, the Delaware County Planning Commission, the public and staff.  They will prepare and manage the Planning Department’s annual work program and budget.

They will build effective and positive communication with elected officials, planning commissions, state and regional agencies, developers, civic groups and the public.

They will recruit, hire, and evaluate staff and contract personnel, as well as supervise professional staff, and develop an annual staff review process.

 The director must Interpret and understand applicable ordinances and regulations with knowledge of federal, municipal, regional and community planning.

They will also conduct ongoing reviews of grant opportunities, proposals and applications.

A Master’s degree in urban and regional planning, public administration, or related field is required. Education in both Planning and Landscape Architecture is highly preferred.

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible planning experience is required. Five years of experience must be in a supervisory capacity.

 AICP certification is required and dual licensing as a PLA or RLA is highly preferred.

Knowledge of computer programs such as Microsoft Office and Excel, Adobe Suite, State and Federal applications, econometric or transportation modeling, database management, GIS, online meeting platforms is required.

Find out more about this position and how to apply.

Environmental Planner

The Environmental Planner carries out tasks including research, report preparation, and outreach for activities as set forth in the Department Work Program.

They work under the Environmental Manager, serving as a project planner on assigned projects.

The Environmental Planner prepares natural resources, coastal zone, sewage facilities, hazard mitigation, and other environmental plans as requested

 They perform state-mandated sewage facilities planning module reviews as well as environmental components of municipal and/or multi-municipal comprehensive plans.

 They will participate in regional environmental and watershed group committees and develop grant applications, as well as offer technical assistance to municipalities concerning environmental issues and programs.

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field.

The applicant must have the ability to work in a team environment on a wide range of public and private projects.

A familiarity with the local planning process is required and one or two years of experience is preferred. Working knowledge of AGOL is a plus.

Find out more about this position and how to apply.

Environmental Manager

The manager directs, schedules and monitors workflow, and coordinates activities and personnel of the Environmental Planning Section.

They oversee preparation of PA State-mandated plans pertaining to stormwater management.

They oversee preparation of plans and studies for coastal zone management and other environmental issues and coordinate with PA Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program activities.

The environmental manager participates in rivers conservation activities, natural heritage protection, floodplain and wetlands protection, and stormwater projects.

They oversee preparation of state-mandated reviews, including sewage facilities planning modules, the environmental component of subdivision and land development plans.

They prepare environmental components of municipal and/or multi-municipal comprehensive plans as well as represent the county on regional committees and organizations.

Required is a Master’s degree in planning, public administration, or related field plus six (6) years of progressively responsible experience is required; or a bachelor’s degree in planning, public administration, or related field plus (8) years of progressively responsible experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, including at least two (2) years in the applicable activity area.

One-year supervisory experience and AICP certification is desirable.

Find out more about this position and how to apply.

Open Space and Trails Planner

The Open Space and Trails Planner assists with park and trail planning and development projects, including feasibility studies, trail design, land acquisition and trail construction.

Assisting the OST Manager, they research and write planning reports and studies and take a project management role in select projects.

 They work to update countywide open space, parks, and trails data, working with municipalities and other staff to keep trail network status data updated.

They assist with convening meetings of the Delaware County Green Space Task Force and County Trails Alliance and prepare open space and trails grant proposals to federal, state, local and private funders.

The Planner will give public and meeting presentations on project work.

They review subdivision and land development proposals for trail and open space opportunities.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field.

 One or two years of experience is preferred.

 Working knowledge of AGOL is a plus.

Find out more about this position and how to apply.

Senior Transportation Planner

The Transportation Planner prepares transportation studies and plans and coordinates with DVRPC (regional MPO), SEPTA and PennDOT staff on regional transportation projects, including research into transportation funding, design standards and multimodal transportation concepts.

The Senior Transportation Planner works under the Manager of Transportation. They represent the county on a variety of transportation project coordination meetings and with county, municipal staff, public agencies and boards.

They research and advise on transportation policy issues and projects; participate in the review of land development plans; and analyze demographic, development and transportation data

A Master’s degree in Urban Studies, Community Development, Planning, or related field plus 2 years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree with 4 years of relevant experience is required.

They should be extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite

Find out more about this positions and how to apply.