Planner

Kathy M. Sheehan Tatiana Diaz Albany City Hall
Human Resources Director 24 Eagle Street, Rm 301

Mayor (p) 518-434-5049

(f) 518-434-5269

Notice of Job Opening

Position: Planner

Applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the enclosed job

description.

• Please Note: This position is in the competitive class and will be filled

on a provisional basis pending the outcome of the civil service

examination.

Department: Planning & Development

Number of Vacancies
1

to be filled:

Rate of Pay: $57,200-$85,800 annually

Schedule: 37.5 hours/week

Application Deadline: Until Filled

All applicants must submit an application online via jobs.albanyny.gov

to be considered for the job opening.

Residency Requirement: YES

Per City Code § 62-1, all individuals hired by the City of Albany

municipal government must be or become residents of the City of

Albany within 180 days of hire. Failure to move into the City shall be

deemed a voluntary resignation.

The City of Albany is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer.

Posted on Friday, December 29, 2023

City of Albany Municipal Civil Service Commission

Classification: Competitive

Revised: 9/25/2023

PLANNER

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THIS CLASS: This is an entry level position for

college graduates who have specialized in historic preservation, planning, architecture,

architectural history, urban geography, urban studies, environmental science or public

administration. In addition, appointments to this title may be made of trainees who have

completed a one-year training period. The work consists of basic professional assignments in

keeping with the job level as well as the limited experience required of incumbents. In addition,

the incumbent performs general professional preservation planning duties in the office and in the

field. Within the job concept, however, assignments may increase in complexity and

responsibility as employees increase in professional competence. Work is performed

independently with other planners both as support and lead staff. Occasional supervision may be

exercised over consultants, interns and student assistants.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative Only) 

Participates in the administration of zoning and other local land use controls; 

Assist in the administration of the work plan for the city’s historic preservation program,

including regulatory, planning, educational and training functions; 

Provides technical assistance and administrative support to the Historic Resource

Commission (HRC) including designation and staff review as set forth in Section 375-

206(1): Historic Resources-Overlay of the City of Albany’s Unified Sustainable

Development Ordinance as well as other applicable sections of local, state and federal

standards; 

Prepares written opinions and decisions; 

Reviews and evaluates plans, projects and building permits requiring a Certificate of

Appropriateness for compliance using the local historic preservation review standards; 

Provides advice and technical assistance to owners of historic and architecturally significant

properties and their representatives including architects, engineers, contractors, and attorneys

about appropriate historic restoration and renovation techniques and methods; 

Provides technical assistance to the Department of Planning and Development, Albany

Community Development Agency, Capitalize Albany and other City departments with

required state and federal project reviews, state and local environmental reviews and the

treatment of historic and architecturally significant City facilities; 

Reviews architectural project drawings and building permits and recommends improvements

that align with section 375-206(1): Historic Resources-Overlay of the Unified Sustainable

Development Ordinance; 

Participates in the staff review of physical development proposals, adequacy of their design,

potential neighborhood and environmental impacts, and consistency with local land use

controls; 

Assists in the collection, tabulation and analysis of data regarding development activity, land

use and other urban issues; 

Assists in studies relating to parking, traffic, housing, land use control and other urban issues;

SEE REVERSE SIDE

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Meets with community and neighborhood groups to discuss development and land use issues

and to inform citizens of pending development and historic preservation proposals; 

Meets with county, regional and state officials to coordinate development activity, planning

issues and public improvements; 

Performs miscellaneous office work and maintains records of planning department activities; 

Enters and retrieves information in an automated information system; 

Performs related work as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL

CHARACTERISTICS: 

Ability to read and understand architectural plans, perspective renderings, elevations,

building sections, site plans, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, surveys, and construction plans; 

Working knowledge of the purposes, principles, terminology and practices employed in

historic preservation, municipal and community planning, and practices of architectural

design, including the ability to differentiate architectural styles; 

Ability to research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare

for hearings and to determine conclusions; 

Working knowledge of local land use controls and zoning administration; 

Working knowledge of the principles and practices of drafting, mapping and graphic visual

methods as applied to community planning and development review; 

Good knowledge of research methods and techniques; 

Ability to understand complex oral and written directions; 

Ability to get along well with others; 

Ability to communicate and deal effectively with others; 

Initiative and resourcefulness; 

Good judgment; 

Good knowledge of personal computers and office equipment; 

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

PROMOTION:

One (1) year as a Planner Trainee.

OPEN-COMPETITIVE:

A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university

or one accredited by the NYS Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s Degree in

historic preservation, planning, architecture, architectural history, urban geography, urban

studies, environmental science or public administration; OR

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B. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university

or one accredited by the NYS Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s Degree

and one (1) year paid fulltime experience in historic preservation, municipal, community or

regional planning, or related work.

Revised: 2/19/86
9/16/87

8/29/01

2/20/02
9/25/23

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