THE AGENCY
The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide and sharing its perspectives on growth and community needs with sister agencies in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
DCP is a great place to work – cultivating intellectual inspiration, professional development, and creativity. Visit our website at www.nyc.gov/planning to access the full listing of job opportunities and to learn more about our great agency.
THE DIVISION
Queens is home to more than 2.4 million residents, a historic peak population. Queens’ extensive ethnic diversity leads the city and the country. Its growth has been fueled in large measure by an influx of persons arriving from abroad with nearly half the population foreign born, and its residents speak over 160 languages. Some of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in New York City are located in Queens, with the past decade seeing significant housing growth in areas such as Long Island City and Flushing. The borough fosters the most diverse economy in the region, as a center for industry, manufacturing, freight and distribution, primarily centered around Western Queens and the airports.
A DCP Borough Office is a dynamic work environment responsible for a wide range of planning and design activities, including developing borough-wide and local plans with a focus on affordable housing, resiliency, expanded economic opportunity, and transit-oriented development; reviewing and processing land use applications; leading community outreach; planning for resiliency and climate change; and providing technical and policy guidance and direction on all land use and zoning related matters to the City Planning Commission, local Community Boards, elected officials, and the public at large. The borough’s recent growth is occurring within distinct neighborhood contexts, which vary widely across the borough. Currently, its efforts are focused on directing a range of new housing, economic recovery and equitable planning opportunities in to enliven and support the growth and vitality of Queens neighborhoods.
THE ROLE
The agency is seeking to fill the position of Director of the Queens Borough Office. As a key member of the agency’s executive management, the Director of the Queens Office, along with the other borough directors, reports to the Executive Director, and works closely with the Chair of the City Planning Commission/Director of the Department. The director is responsible for administration and management of the office in carrying out the agency’s work plans.
Under executive direction, with the greatest latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and decision making, the Director manages the office to fulfill the department’s missions in Queens: land use planning and review, housing and economic development, community and citywide plan and policy formulation, environmental impact and information dissemination. In addition, the Director identifies key issues and opportunities affecting borough development and formulates plans, programs and policies to address them. Specifically, the Director will:

• Advise the Chair, City Planning Commission and City Hall on all land use policies and issues affecting Staten Island;
• Develop and implement the Borough Office work program, including recommending and formulating planning studies, establish priorities and deadlines, and manage work assignments to ensure that strategic planning goals are met;
• Interview, select, train, coach, motivate, supervise and evaluate the work of the office professionals and administrative staff and support on-going staff development efforts;
• Manage Department initiatives, and oversee major Queens projects through the land use and environmental review process;
• Contribute to borough and agency planning and urban design studies, and coordinate this work with other divisions of the Department, other city agencies, community boards, elected officials and the public;
• Oversee the technical review of all special zoning district non-ULURP applications; ensure their timely review and maintain consistent standards; coordinate across agency divisions to respond to concerns of applicants, DOB, Industry representatives, and elected officials; and support efforts to streamline the agency’s operations;
• Negotiate sensitive technical and land use policy issues with other agencies, developers, community groups, industry groups and elected officials. Use independent judgment in highly complex technical and policy matters;
• Represent the Department and Chair at meetings with elected officials, civic, business and community groups, community boards and public agencies to communicate City Policy and maintain working relationships;
• Represent the Department and Chair at public forums to communicate city policies; and
• Perform other related tasks.