CITY OF ALBANY
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 Tuesday, October 24, 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
Page 1 of 3
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
Page 2 of 3
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
Page 3 of 3
To apply for this job please visit jobs.albanyny.gov.