Chief Regional Planning Officer

As Central Ohio’s regional council, MORPC is an association of cities, villages, townships, counties and regional organizations and serves rural, suburban, and urban areas. We take pride in bringing communities of all sizes and interests together to collaborate on best practices and plan for the future of our growing region. We do this through a variety of programs, services, projects and initiatives – all with the goal of improving the lives of our residents and making Central Ohio stand out on the world stage.
 
One of Central Ohio’s greatest strengths is the diversity of our communities, and to best serve our region, MORPC assertively values diversity and inclusion and strives to reflect those values in our team, our work, and our positive impact for the region. Our work progresses when our team can draw on a wide range of personal experiences and backgrounds, and when each member is open to learning from the experiences of others, both internally and externally. As an equal opportunity employer, we fully support all applicable state and federal laws and regulations and do not discriminate against applicants for employment or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical conditions,  age, disability or other handicap, genetic information, marital/familial status, veteran status, military status, or income or status with regard to public assistance in any aspects of our personnel policies, working conditions, or hiring and recruitment. 
 
To create and nourish a workforce as diverse as the Central Ohio region, MORPC encourages members of groups traditionally underrepresented in local government and professional positions to apply for our open career opportunities.   
 
MORPC recognizes the value of a healthy work/life balance for our team members and as such, we provide a variety of benefits to promote that balance. Eligible employees receive a free system-wide transit pass and discounted access to other alternative transportation modes to provide options for commuting to work. MORPC encourages opportunities for career advancement through generous tuition and professional development incentives, leadership programs, and participation in local and national organizations. For eligible permanent positions, MORPC also offers flexible schedules and remote work options as well as paid time off and holidays. MORPC employees may also be eligible for excellent health, vision and dental insurance, employee assistance programs, employer paid short-term & long-term disability coverage, employer paid life insurance in the amount of $50,000 coverage, participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, plus two Deferred Compensation Plans that employees can opt into for additional retirement funding. More info can be found in the benefits link within the online posting.

Under administrative direction, the Chief Regional Planning Officer (CRPO) is responsible for overseeing and managing the Planning Department as its Senior Director, which includes Data & Mapping, Community Development, and Sustainability teams and programs to provide planning and technical assistance to local communities. The CRPO serves as the lead official for regional and strategic initiatives. The CRPO identifies new strategic partnership opportunities and collaborates closely with the Chief Mobility & Infrastructure Officer on developing a capital plan to move the initiatives forward. The CRPO helps connect and integrate large regional initiatives towards a comprehensive vision focused around equity, access, and sustainability. The CRPO provides guidance on employee support and performs all administrative duties related to the department in collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer and members of the Executive Team. The CRPO reports directly to the Executive Director. 

• Oversees and manages the Data & Mapping, Community Development, and Sustainability sections. This includes developing, monitoring, and reviewing staff performance as well as managing and balancing the budget in coordination with the Department of Programming.
• Serves as the lead official for regional and strategic planning initiatives and ensures they are coordinated and aligned with regional priorities and MORPC’s vision. 
• Connects and integrates regional initiatives towards a holistic vision focused around equity, access, and sustainability.
• Identifies and fosters strategic partnerships across the region to find barriers and opportunities for existing and new programs and projects.  
• Builds close relationships with members to capture buy-in through storytelling, workshop facilitation, and best practices and to provide planning and technical assistance. 
• Works closely with their data director to analyze market dynamics and identify key performance indicators. 
• Collaborates closely with the Chief Mobility & Infrastructure Officer on developing a capital plan for implementing existing initiatives and bringing new initiatives on board. 
• Establishes and maintains close communication and effective working relationships with MORPC’s entire leadership team.
• Attends Commission and committee meetings as appropriate and provides report-outs as needed.
• Represents Executive Director before governmental bodies and other public meetings, in the media, and on boards and other appointed roles related to regional planning subject matter and assists with administrative duties, such as budgeting, reporting, or preparing presentations.
• Participates in professional associations, conferences, and other professional development opportunities to maintain technical and subject matter expertise and to keep MORPC as a leader in planning.
• Actively supports MORPC's Affirmative Action Plan, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Diversity program, Code of Ethics and other MORPC policies.
• Actively supports MORPC’s Strategic Framework and Core Values. 
• These duties are illustrative only and the Chief Regional Planning Officer may perform some or all of these duties or other job-related duties as assigned.

Thorough knowledge of the principles and best practices of department leadership, employee mentorship, large-scale planning and research, and consensus building. Strong understanding of MORPC’s work, including transportation, data and GIS, land use, sustainability, housing, and greenways. Demonstrated experience navigating political landscapes, working with both private and public sectors, and visionary thinking. Ability to communicate effectively and lead a team of technical and administrative staff in program planning, development, and delivery of services. Comfortable in dynamic and flexible work environments while fostering a strong and positive team culture. Essential functions include the ability to use telephone, computer, and participate in meetings outside the office.

A Bachelor’s Degree and eight years (8) experience in geography, planning, public policy, or related fields. Or ten years (10) in planning where five (5) of those years have involved supervision over other professional technicians or planners. A Master's Degree or other advanced degree is preferred and may be substituted for two (2) years of the required non-supervisory experience.   
 
Professional certification (e.g. AICP, LEED, or similar) is preferred. 
 
Experience in leading large-scale planning initiatives and managing technical staff in completing projects is strongly preferred.  MORPC is an EOE/AAP employer. Please apply online at http://www.morpc.org/careers/ or you may mail a resume to: MORPC Attn: PL-4-24 111 Liberty St., Suite 100 Columbus, OH 43215