Planning and GIS Program Administrator - Planning and Development Services (Civil Service)

City of Dallas•Dallas, TX

1d•$103,542 - $129,418

About The Position

The Planning and GIS Program Administrator - PDV provides strategic leadership, organization, and program management of urban design, long-range planning, neighborhood area planning, geographic information systems (GIS), and data and Research, a total of five specialized functions and teams within the Planning and Development Department. This position reports to the Assistant Director and provides leadership in the research, development, and implementation of spatial data, visualization, and analytical frameworks that support and advance departmental and citywide zoning and planning workflows, goals, and objectives. The role advances urban design excellence and planning initiatives that promote livability, mobility, environmental sustainability, and economic competitiveness. The position supervises professional staff, manages cross-departmental coordination, establishes standards and workflows, and serves as a key liaison among Planning and Development, Information Technology Services (ITS), Data Analytics and Business Intelligence, and other City departments.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of GIS technologies, spatial databases, and planning analytics tools, including Esri platforms.
Strong understanding of urban planning, urban design principles, zoning, land use policy, and development processes.
Knowledge of public administration, local government operations, and interdepartmental coordination.
Ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary programs with multiple stakeholders.
Ability to analyze data, develop visualizations, and translate technical information into clear, actionable insights.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of reports and presentations for diverse audiences.
Ability to supervise staff, manage performance, and foster a collaborative team environment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City leadership, staff, consultants, and the public.
Ability to work independently with broad objectives and minimal supervision.
Bachelor’s degree in City/Urban Planning, Urban Design, GIS, or Architecture.
Eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in GIS, urban planning, or design field AND Three (3) years of supervisory, program management, or project leadership experience (This experience may be included in the required experience listed above.)
High school diploma or GED plus twelve (12) years of the required experience, including three (3) years supervisory, program management, or project leadership experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
Associate degree in any field plus ten (10) years of the required experience, including three (3) years supervisory, program management, or project leadership experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
Bachelor's degree (or higher) in a non-specified field plus ten (10) years of the required experience, including three (3) years supervisory, program management, or project leadership experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
Master's degree (or higher) in a specified field plus six (6) years of the required experience, including three (3) years supervisory, program management, or project leadership experience will meet the education and experience requirements.

Nice To Haves

GISP (Geographic Information Systems Professional), AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners), AIA (American Institute of Architects), or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is preferred.
Master’s degree in City/Urban Planning, Urban Design, GIS or Architecture preferred.

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, and directs the Planning and GIS program to support urban design, area planning, zoning, policy analysis, and long-range planning initiatives.
Develops short-, mid-, and long-term goals, priorities, and performance metrics for GIS and planning analytics functions aligned with departmental and City objectives.
Oversees daily operations, assigns work, evaluates performance, and provides coaching and professional development for assigned staff.
Develops and implements administrative policies, procedures, and standards to improve efficiency, data quality, and service delivery.
Assists in preparing and managing the Department’s budget. Monitor program budgets, track expenditures, and ensure efficient use of resources.
Manages the planning, implementation, and maintenance of enterprise GIS and planning data platforms used by Planning and Development and partner departments.
Establishes GIS, data, and visualization standards to ensure consistency, interoperability, and compliance with City and ITS requirements.
Coordinates closely with ITS, database administrators, and security teams to ensure reliable, secure, and scalable GIS infrastructure.
Promotes innovative uses of GIS, spatial analysis, and data visualization to inform planning decisions, urban design review, and policy evaluation.
Supports urban design initiatives and work programs by leading analytical, mapping, and visualization efforts for major public and private development projects, corridor studies, neighborhood area plan design standards, and City-owned properties and rights-of-way. The position collaborates closely with other City departments, external partners, and public agencies to ensure alignment with City planning and design objectives.
Provides leadership and oversight for long-range planning initiatives and authorized hearing cases, including are plans, policy amendments, and zoning changes ensuring work products are technically sound, legally defensible and aligned with adopted policy and community goals.
Provides technical support for area plans, special purpose districts, policy development, TOD planning, complete streets, and other design-forward initiatives.
Collaborates with internal departments, external design professionals, community stakeholders, public agency partners, and development teams to integrate best practices in urban design, placemaking, mobility, sustainability, and public realm design into development outcomes.
Oversees development of scenario planning tools, dashboards, and public-facing exhibits to support design review and community engagement.
Manages and supports the functions of the Urban Design Peer Review Panel program by coordinating, managing, and facilitating design review of qualifying public and private development projects to elevate the quality of urban design citywide.
Serves as a liaison between Planning and Development, ITS, other City departments, regional agencies, consultants, and external partners.
Supports representation of department divisions under his/her supervision at meetings, workshops, hearings, and interdepartmental working groups.
Prepares reports, briefings, and responses for City Council, boards and commissions, and executive leadership.
Supports transparency and public access by advancing user-friendly data products and mapping tools for staff, residents, and stakeholders.
Plans and manages GIS and planning analytics training programs for staff and internal users.
Encourages adoption of best practices in GIS, urban analytics, and data-driven planning.
Evaluates emerging technologies and methodologies to improve urban design review, planning analysis, and operational efficiency.
Performs other related duties as assigned.