Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) seeks qualified applicants for the role of Zoning and Planning Aide for her City Council office.
Introduction
Councilmember Jamie R. Gauthier has represented Philadelphia’s 3rd Councilmanic District since January 6, 2020. Since then, Councilmember Gauthier and her team have worked hard to build a 3rd District Council office that prioritizes direct engagement with residents, transparency, accountability, responsiveness, shared decision-making with our constituents, the centering of the most vulnerable among us, passion for our work, and fun. Internally, we have strived to foster an environment of empowerment, where each team member provides ideas and input, enabling us to make decisions with our constituents’ best interests in mind. We now invite interested individuals to apply for the integral role of our team’s Zoning and Planning Aide.
The Zoning and Planning Aide reports to the Director of Equitable Development. This role supports the Director in working with city departments, community development corporations, for-profit and non-profit developers, businesses, civic organizations, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders in crafting and implementing an equitable development agenda for the 3rd District.
Equitable development is achieved when quality of life outcomes, such as affordable housing, quality education, living wage employment, healthy environments, and transportation are equitably experienced by the people currently living and working in a neighborhood, as well as for new people moving in. It also promotes public and private investments, programs, and policies in neighborhoods that meet the needs of residents and reduce racial disparities, taking into account past history and current conditions. Under the guidance of the Councilmember and the Director of Equitable Development, the Zoning and Planning Aide will work towards the above-stated goals for the benefit of residents and communities in the 3rd District.
The salary range for this position is $50,000-$60,000, depending on experience.
Duties and responsibilities
- Manage constituent inquiries regarding topics including but not limited to property research, code enforcement, public infrastructure, vacant land acquisition, zoning permits and hearings, City land disposition, and other questions related to land use and planning. The Zoning and Planning Aide will be responsible for comprehensive and compassionate one-on-one communication with constituents, prompt follow up and responsiveness, and thorough tracking of steps taken to close each inquiry to help the office learn how to better serve.
- Enter and track data on all constituent cases assigned to the Equitable Development team.
- Represent the office at community meetings, particularly those related to zoning matters in the District, and organize and conduct outreach for public meetings of our own in partnership with relevant City departments.
- Observe and testify at relevant public boards and commissions, including but not limited to Zoning Board of Adjustment, Civic Design Review, Land Bank, and Historical Commission.
- Act as community liaison by developing and implementing strategies to solicit community input on zoning and development issues, educate the community on their rights and our office’s services, developing and maintaining relationships with key community leaders, and attending important community forums and events.
- Assist with research and policy development on topics related to housing, zoning and development. These topics include but are not limited to zoning best practices, the preservation and creation of affordable housing, community land sovereignty, equitable tax policy and protecting residents against displacement. Recent legislative examples include mandatory inclusionary zoning, the Public Land for Public Benefit bill, the People’s Preservation Package, and the Defying Displacement campaign. Create maps, databases, memos, and other tools needed to make strategic and informed decisions on policy, City land disposition, zoning re-mappings, and budgeting priorities.
- Work with Constituent Services team to draft clear and visually compelling instructional materials to assist West and Southwest Philadelphians on topics such as zoning advocacy, code enforcement, and land acquisition.
- Lead meetings and nurture professional working relationships with City agencies, local nonprofits, Registered Community Organizations, civic associations, property owners, and other interested groups around development and public infrastructure in the 3rd
- Work with the Director of Legislation and Policy to implement the goals of all committees Councilmember Gauthier chairs. As of January 2024, she chairs the Committee on the Environment and the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless.
- Assist Director of Equitable Development with general administrative tasks.
- Assist the 3rd Councilmanic team with shared tasks, which includes answering the phone, participating and staffing legislative hearings.
- Participate in a weeknight and weekend staffing rotation. Expected time commitment varies from a minimum of one evening meeting per week/ one weekend meeting per month to multiple evening/ weekend events.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in urban planning or a closely related field strongly preferred
- 1-3 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- Considerable knowledge of community and economic development; knowledge of business development a strong plus.
- Knowledge of municipal zoning and infrastructure, and planning programs and processes.
- Demonstrated commitment, through work or volunteer experience, to social justice.
- Cultural competency and proven ability to work in a culturally diverse environment.
- Significant experience working with diverse constituencies, from public officials and executives, to grassroots organizations and community members.
- Ability to communicate effectively to groups and individuals, engineers, architects, contractors, developers, businesses, supervisors, employees, and the general public.
- Ability to establish working relationships with other organizations and economic development practitioners.
- Ability to regularly attend night and weekend events.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent judgement and analytical skills.
- Knowledge of Philadelphia and communities of the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Interested in this role? Please send a resume, cover letter and any work sample (i.e. writing sample, project or portfolio) to [email protected] by March 15, 2024.
