Assistant Director, Strategic Planning

Assistant Director, Strategic Planning

Salary

See Position Description

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Type

CS Exempt, Full Time

Job Number

26-ACDP-01

Department

City Planning

Opening Date

09/22/2026

Closing Date

10/13/2026 4:00 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

01

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

POSITION SUMMARY

Works closely with the Department Director and assumes a strategic role in the management of the Department of City Planning. Manages the Strategic Planning division within the Department of City Planning, leading the division and its staff on comprehensive planning, neighborhood planning, and planning initiatives around equity, housing, environment and open space, and persons with disabilities. Works with other Departments, Authorities, Community Partners, and others on bringing plans to implementation.

Department: City Planning

Posting Type: Announcement

Salary: $114,046 per year.

Union: None. This is a non-union position.

Civil Service Classification: Exempt.

REQUIREMENTS

General Application Requirements:

You must submit or show proof of all the following at the time of application (unless otherwise indicated below), or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.

• Applicants must submit a complete application, including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable), and completed supplemental questions.

• Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.

• Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

• A current, valid Pennsylvania Class C Drivers License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Written requests for accommodation based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered by the Department of Human Resources & Civil Service on an individual basis.

NOTE: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, criminal background, drivers license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration based on the results of their background investigation, as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered.

NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire.

Qualifying Requirements:

• WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show five (5) years of full-time experience in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy Management or a related field. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
• EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a Masters Degree from a fully accredited institution in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy Management, or a related field. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).
• EQUIVALENCY: Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted on a year for year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position (based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above). The Total Qualifying Requirement is eleven (11) years. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will receive a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates receiving job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) before the date of hire.

• Written: None required for this position.
• Performance: None required for this position.
• Medical: None required for this position.

POSITION DUTIES

• Plays a role in the strategic direction and management of the Department and aligns operations with the City's goals and objectives.
• Manages and supervises a division with a wide variety of responsibilities but focused on long-range planning initiatives.
• Directs the development and implementation of Forging PGH, the City's Comprehensive Plan and its related initiatives that set the vision for land use in Pittsburgh and connect the Comprehensive Plan to long-range thinking, budgets, and capital investments made by the City and others.
• Directs the development and implementation of the City's Neighborhood Planning Program.
• Directs public engagement activities around long-range planning, development review, and strategic policy and code amendments.
• Oversees the coordination, management, and implementation of several long-range planning programs and initiatives around issues of land use, urban design, equity, housing, environment and open space, and planning for persons with disabilities.
• Leads the integration of long-range plans into development through the development and expansion of new zoning code or other code and policy ordinances, guidelines, or guides.
• Attends, participates in, and conducts high-level meetings - both internal and external to the organization. Represents the city with outside organizations and boards.
• Leads and consults with planning management team to review assigned projects, resolve issues, and monitor performance.
• Interacts with City Council regarding City issues, programs, and special projects.
• Guides, reviews, and approves work provided by staff, contracted services, and internal and external stakeholders; monitors service quality and compliance with applicable regulations, codes, policies, and/or business requirements.
• Oversees and participates in the analysis, development, and administration of assigned budget; monitors and approves expenditures and budget compliance; and recommends adjustments.
• Informs and advises the Director on all significant planning, policy, and performance matters.
• Serves as the Planning Director in the Director's absence.
• Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned or required.

Click here to view the full job description, including knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions for this position. Locate and click on the position title to view the complete job description.

Full-time City employees receive a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Pension
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation
• Personal Days

(Benefits may be modified based on collective bargaining unit terms.)

01

Did you remember to attach your complete resume with this application?

• Yes
• No

02

Please select the one answer most closely describing your minimum professional work experience/education:

• I possess Masters Degree from a fully accredited institution in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public AND five (5) years of full-time experience in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy Management or a related field.
• I possess a Bachelors Degree from a fully accredited institution in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy Management or a related field AND seven (7) years of full-time experience in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy Management or a related field.
• I possess an Associates Degree from a fully accredited institution in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy Management or a related field AND nine (9) years of full-time experience in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy Management or a related field.
• I possess eleven (11) years of full-time experience in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy Management or a related field.
• I do not possess any of the minimum amounts of education/and or work experience listed above.

03

The City of Pittsburgh welcomes all applicants, including those who would need to relocate to satisfy the Residency Requirement prior to starting this position. Please elaborate on your plans to relocate to Pittsburgh if you do not already live within the City of Pittsburgh municipality. If you already reside within the City of Pittsburgh, please write N/A.

04

Do you have a current, valid Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operators License (Class C - regular) or a current valid drivers license from another state or the U.S. Armed Forces? If you do not possess a current, valid PA Class C Drivers License: Are you able to obtain one prior to appointment if you are selected to fill this position?

• N/A- I already possess the required drivers license.
• YES, I AM able to obtain a PA Class C Drivers License prior to appointment if I am selected to fill this position.
• NO, I am NOT able to obtain a PA Class C Drivers License prior to appointment if I am selected to fill this position.

Required Question

Employer City of Pittsburgh

Address 414 Grant Street

Room 431

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219

Phone 412-255-2710

Website http://www.pghjobs.net