Urban Planning and Policy Manager

Inspire * Transform * Build * Sustain

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has been a visionary not-for-profit organization in the Greater Philadelphia Region since its founding in 1827. PHS organizes the annual Philadelphia International Flower Show, the world's largest and longest-running indoor flower show, which brings 270,000 visitors and creates a $61 million economic impact to the city. PHS helps transform lives through revolutionary programs like City Harvest, which has grown and donated 180,000 lbs of fresh produce in 4 years---helping to feed 1,000 families each week of the growing season. PHS will also help lead the new Plant One Million program, an ambitious program to plant one million trees in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Mission: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture.

Position Overview:

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) is seeking a nimble and entrepreneurial urban planning and policy manager to advance its urban greening programs and its planning and policy work at the local, state and federal levels. PHS seeks to conduct strategic planning studies and neighborhood assessments to identify future capital improvement opportunities; establish partnerships to advance the planning and implementation of high-quality open space and vacant land reclamation projects; develop policy and practice recommendations that advance long-term sustainability; and promote its greening work to national constituencies.

The manager will lead research projects to advance urban greening programs, craft materials that facilitate replication of PHS programs in other cities, develop neighborhood greening strategies, write case statements and conduct grant research, develop civic engagement strategies, and interface with a variety of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based projects.

Successful candidates will need the skills and aptitude to produce visually attractive graphic work products that effectively explain their work and summarize information. They should have a degree or relevant experience in public policy, public administration, design, urban planning, or related field(s). Successful candidates will also have documented work experience related to policy and planning matters, legislative processes, and/or public administration. Serious writing chops are crucial, as is the ability to express yourself clearly and concisely. In addition, basic GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office competency is required. Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated career interest in urban and parks/green space related issues.

Responsibilities:

• Support the urban planning work and urban planning needs of PHS
• Complete frequent reviews of the relevant federal, state and local policy landscape with an eye toward the implications and opportunities it presents to PHS
• Efficiently and effectively document these implications and opportunities through contemporary technology and "dashboard"-style methods and metrics
• Engage in planning studies to evaluate how to strategically select sites for vacant land reclamation
• Develop and execute new and innovative ways to measure and document the effectiveness of landmark PHS programs
• Develop new ways to promote and spread landmark PHS programs on a national stage
• Assist in building relationships with national partners and constituents to spread PHS's greening work
• Assist in distributing relevant information about the policy and planning landscapes to PHS management and staff
• Assist in the day-to-day operations of PHS's neighborhood gardens land trust
• Assist in collecting relevant information from PHS staff for policy and planning-related needs
• Perform GIS projects related to urban planning and work
• Perform PHS project-supporting GIS work as needed
• Undertake field-based research and use GIS skills to incorporate field work into analytical products and summaries
• Author grants, project summaries, project budgets and other types of written documents as needed
• Bring new ideas and new technologies to PHS to drive innovation
• Maintain a good-natured can-do attitude
• Possess an aptitude for working with both technology and people as well as an appetite for fast-paced work assignments
• Support grant writing efforts and participate in other fundraising activities
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Degree or relevant experience in planning, policy, public administration, design or related field(s)
• Documented work experience related to policy and planning matters, legislative processes, and/or public administration
• Strong people and superior writing skills
• Career interest in urban and parks/open space related issues
• Basic GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, and Office experience required
• Experience with GIS handheld Trimble devices and comfort with contemporary methods of outreach are a plus

To Apply:

All applicants must complete the questionnaire found online. Please send a cover letter, resume and completed questionnaire by email, fax or mail.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
c/o Human Resources
100 N 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Applications submitted without a completed questionnaire will not be considered.

Please no telephone or walk-in inquires. EOE. Only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.