Please note, this posting will remain open until December 19, 2022, with the first application review taking place on November 21, 2022. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply prior to that date. We anticipate interviews for this position will be held in eight weeks.

Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is seeking a seasoned planner with a combination of “big picture” vision, on the ground implementation experience and strong leadership skills to serve as the Manager of the Sustainable and Resilient Development Department. This position will lead the development of new and advance existing regional growth management, resource conservation, and environmental mitigation policies as part of the development of the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), called Connect SoCal.  The Department Manager’s leadership role includes oversight for the technical analysis that informs policy development, including the demographic and economic analysis for the quadrennial regional and county-level growth forecasts and the plan’s forecasted regional development pattern. The Manager will also lead the development and implementation of programs that support regional and local partners in delivering upon the growth vision of the Connect SoCal plan and mitigate its environmental impacts.

The Sustainable and Resilient Development (SRD) Department is one of three departments within SCAG’s Land Use Subdivision, which includes the SRD, Housing and Economic Empowerment, and a temporary, grant-funded Department for Inclusive Economic Growth. The Manager reports to the Deputy Director of Planning for Land Use and works under general direction of the Director of Planning. They will lead a Department consisting of eight full-time planning staff as well as up to four interns and/or fellows on a regular basis. The Manager assumes responsibility for the overall direction, coordination, and implementation of Department programs and projects, while ensuring alignment with the Agency’s mission, vision, goals, and regulatory requirements.  The Manager directly oversees the Resilience and Resource Conservation Business Unit and the Regional Demographics and Growth Vision work program.

The Resilience and Resource Conservation team takes the lead on developing, refining and implementing Connect SoCal’s resilience, conservation, and climate adaptation related objectives
when realizing the forecasted regional development pattern. The team is also focused on the preservation of natural and working lands and supports the development and implementation of mitigation measures included in Connect SoCal. The current work program includes development of a Regional Resilience Framework, a Regional Advanced Mitigation Program (RAMP) initiative, the SoCal Greenprint tool and prioritizing agricultural lands.

The Demographics and Growth Vision program develops region and county-level forecasts of employment, population, and households for the regional plan horizon, including policy and technical documentation and integration.  This includes supporting the forecast with ongoing socioeconomic and trend research, analysis, university collaboration, and presentation including the annual Demographic Workshop, Economic Summit, and similar events, as well as developing economic growth analyses and economic impacts of the RTP/SCS.  These forecasts are developed through extensive engagement with local jurisdictions and form a foundational input to land use and transportation models.  Additionally, and working with other planning departments, this group is integral in the coordination and integration of regional land use strategies into an SCS growth vision and forecasted regional development pattern.

Over the next two years, the Manager will work closely with the broader Land Use Subdivision to develop the content and recommended strategies for land use and sustainable and resilient growth within the 2024 RTP/SCS, as well as implement ongoing programs for each business unit and program. The Manager will lead in shaping the longer-term policy areas and regional strategies offered through the RTP/SCS and the related Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and mitigation measures.  This, in turn drives the implementation work plan, both for work directly led by SCAG as well as supported by SCAG through technical assistance and other funding sources offered to SCAG’s 197 jurisdictions.

The Manager will support the Director of Planning with programming for SCAG’s monthly Energy and Environment Policy Committee, and support programming for other regular SCAG committees and special meetings, and will have the opportunity to participate in special internal and external committees. The Manager will work with the Deputy Director of Planning, Director of Planning, Executive Team, and SCAG’s Regional Council to develop and support SCAG’s climate and resilience-related legislative agenda and will likely regularly speak at events, meetings and with stakeholders on topics related to the work of the Department.

This position requires someone who possesses knowledge of a range of planning issues, with an emphasis on sustainable development, resilience planning, hazard mitigation, and its intersection within the broader land use spectrum. The Manager must also be comfortable managing the demographic forecasting unit and leading how that research will drive the development of the quadrennial RTP/SCS. The successful candidate will also have experience implementing programs at the local level and bring that experience to the development and implementation of regional programs. It is crucial that the Manager of Sustainable and Resilient Development possess good judgment and decision-making skills, excellent communication skills, and is an expert in the field.

As a mission-driven organization, SCAG is committed to attracting and retaining talent who embody SCAG’s values. SCAG’s workforce is passionate and committed to innovation that improves the quality of life for all Southern Californians. When you join SCAG, you can expect a culture where collaboration and teamwork is fostered.

SCAG operates as a hybrid organization because we recognize that work can be successfully performed in various locations. Designing a work environment and culture where SCAG’s mission, effectiveness, and collaboration can be more flexibly served demonstrates our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) by supporting work-life balance for our employees, retaining our existing dedicated staff, and increasing access to new talent pools.

As part of our [email protected] hybrid approach, employees’ eligibility in the three work models (office, hybrid, remote) will depend on the department, position, responsibilities, and duties. All work models require employees to work from a location based within the SCAG region.

SCAG’s COVID-19 Prevention Program, which includes our vaccination policy, can be found here.

OUR LOCATION
SCAG headquarters is located in the hub of busy downtown Los Angeles, at Figueroa and 7th streets. SCAG has recently relocated to the 900 Wilshire Building, a new, multi-use hotel and office complex that features state of the art architecture and technology. The downtown area has expanded with LA Live, new restaurants, music, sports, shopping, libraries, museums and theaters. SCAG is in a culturally diverse area near Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Olvera Street and Grand Central Market. Southern California boasts near-perfect weather and close proximity to mountains, beaches and deserts, which encourages physical fitness and year-round activities.

For ease of commuting, the LA office is located across the street from the Metro Red Line 7th St. station and is easily accessible by commuter trains and buses serving surrounding areas. Metro’s light rail and subway connect downtown LA to Hollywood, Universal City, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Azusa, Long Beach and many vibrant and up-and-coming neighborhoods.

WHO WE ARE
Founded in 1965, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is a Joint Powers Authority under California state law, established as an association of local governments and agencies that voluntarily convene as a forum to address regional issues. Under federal law, The SCAG region encompasses six counties (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura) and 191 cities in an area covering more than 38,000 square miles. The agency develops long-range regional transportation plans including sustainable communities’ strategy and growth forecast components, regional transportation improvement programs, regional housing needs allocations and a portion of the South Coast Air Quality management plans. Currently, the Regional Council consists of 86 members.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

MISSION
To foster innovative regional solutions that improve the lives of Southern Californians through inclusive collaboration, visionary planning, regional advocacy, information sharing, and promoting best practices.

VISION
Southern California’s Catalyst for a Brighter Future.

SCAG CORE VALUES

• Be Open: Be accessible, candid, collaborative and transparent in the work we do.
• Lead by Example: Commit to integrity and equity in working to meet the diverse needs of all people and communities in our region.
• Make an Impact: In all endeavors, effect positive and sustained outcomes that make our region thrive.
• Be Courageous: Have confidence that taking deliberate, bold and purposeful risks can yield new and valuable benefits.

• Plan, direct, coordinate and review the work plan of the Sustainable and Resilient Development Department which includes two business units; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems, assign work activities and review and evaluate work products; manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommend appropriate service and staffing levels; recommend and administer policies and procedures; oversee professional development opportunities
• Manage and coordinate with other divisions and departments the development of the quadrennial RTP/SCS, with a focus on land use growth alternatives and forecasted regional development pattern, quantifying economic impacts of various programs for use the RTP/SCS, managing and coordinating climate change issues as related to the implementation of AB 32 in the region.
• Serve as a technical and policy liaison with the Regional Council, other SCAG Policy Committees, and outside agencies including pertinent environmental groups, government/regulatory agencies; develops and maintains working relationships with sub regions, local jurisdictions, environmental groups, businesses, and other key stakeholders.
• Participate and/or assign staff to participate on a variety of committees and task forces and stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of demographics, sustainability, resilience and conservation in particular in how it relates to growth and land use.
• Lead the department in the delivery of the work set forth in SCAG Regional Council’s adopted Climate Action Resolution (Jan 2021), Water Resolution (October 2022) as well as the quadrennial growth forecast, economic summit and other agency wide priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in transportation planning, urban planning, environmental planning, public policy, public administration, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE: Eight years of professional planning experience, including four years of management and/or supervisory experience.

You will hit the ground running in this role if you also have:

• Proven relationship-building ability that fosters positive partnerships with elected officials, management, and staff, and the ability to build consensus on relevant planning and policy issues and programs.
• Expertise in sustainable growth and resiliency planning.
• Knowledge of principles of land use with an emphasis on sustainable growth and resiliency planning, as well as principles of environmental planning and CEQA/NEPA regulations.
• General understanding of growth forecasting and its role in the delivery of the RTP/SCS.
• Experience and comfort with principles around equity and civic engagement.
• Experience developing and implementing programs and policies at the local level.
• Engaging and effective communication skills and is comfortable making formal and informal presentations to a wide variety of audiences.
• A strategic mind-set  with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Organizational and motivational skills  to help staff refine and further develop their skills to achieve shared goals and objectives, and a customer advocate who will strive to make SCAG staff successful in their work.
• The ability to translate technical information to all levels of staff and stakeholders as required.
• A Master’s degree in a related area is preferred.