Job Summary. The Sustainability Principal supervises and participates in advanced professional planning activities. The Sustainability Principal manages and oversees environmental, sustainability, energy, and land use plans, programs, and research initiatives within R1's planning department.

Illustrative Essential Job Functions. The duties listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work of this position. The list is not exhaustive or restrictive, and other duties may be assigned.

Primary Duties

• Manage planning projects related to the environment, sustainability, and land use.
• Lead in the research, creation, and curation of sustainability and land use planning documents.
• Oversee and delegate tasks to staff; evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities.
• Conduct robust technical writing reviews and ensure writing standards are met.
• Ensure appropriate training is provided to staff; provide professional development and support.
• Lead public involvement, meeting facilitation, and presentations for planning staff, community groups, as well as local appointed and elected bodies.
• Research technical material and effectively communicate information internally and to the general public.
• Strategically pursue clients, projects, and grant opportunities.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, and external agencies.
• Prepare and communicate agreements; draft agreements that include scope, proposals, schedules, and fees.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; monitor and control expenditures.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws; research local codes, ordinances, plans, and statutory requirements.
• Advise the Planning Director on all sustainability planning-related matters.

Board and Committee Responsibilities

• Advise various advisory committees, forums, councils, boards, commissions and elected officials in planning-related issues.
• Attend and participate in meetings with intergovernmental committees.
• Attend evening and weekend meetings as needed.
• Support staff liaison to the Community Advisory Council.

Supervision Received. Work is performed under the supervision of the assigned Director.

Supervisory Responsibilities. Directly supervises employees and provides leadership, mentoring, work assignments, evaluation, training recommendations, and guidance to others.

Success Factors. To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behaviors:

• Exercise initiative to problem-solve, develop plans, and follow-through projects to conclusion;
• Possess a strong technical writing and editing skillset;
• Prioritize responsibilities and meet deadlines;
• Possess the technical knowledge, or ability to learn and understand, strategies which address energy use and conservation, air quality and emissions reduction, water quality and conservation, recycling and waste reduction, transportation choices, building design, and environmental sustainability education.
• Work collaboratively with others to ensure the success and achievement of team members in the fulfillment of R1 priorities;
• Possess the technical knowledge, or ability to learn and understand, complex federal, state, and local regulatory and ordinance languages;
• Adapt as the organization develops and evolves;
• Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance;
• Maintain a professional office setting through cleanliness, organization, and demeanor;
• Meet productivity standards; and
• Complete work in timely manner.

Education, Training, & Expertise. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field. Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience related to specific area of assignment such as transportation planning, environmental planning, or urban planning. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years. Three to four years of supervisory experience is preferred.

Licenses & Certifications.

• Annual completion of Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act training; and
• Valid driver's license, or ability to obtain, with insured personal vehicle for business use.

Job Specific Skills.

• Adobe software products (Acrobat, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, etc.);
• Ability to prepare and present reports and presentations;
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills; and
• Skill in the use and care of a personal computer, including knowledge of MS Office Suite and other software and technologies as adopted.

Working Conditions and Special Demands. Work is performed primarily in an office setting which may vary in location. Work activities require attending meetings or field inspections that involve travel throughout the area. Occasional field visits and data collection work is required.

Necessary Special Requirements.

• Drug screening and background check.