Director of Planning and Design
Philadelphia Housing Authority
planning design
transportation planning
design review
budget management
field inspections
graphics design
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The position will be responsible for all of PHA’S planning and design including; land assessments to develop plan that plot out the best use of land and geographic resources in the Philadelphia area in the Planning and Development Division of the Philadelphia Housing Authority. This will role will be responsible to oversee all PHA design and Planning from concept to final construction documents and management of the design process through construction. Ultimately, you will ensure the design team promotes our brand through delivering high quality pieces on tight deadlines.
Develops transportation plans, studies and analyses on regional basis
Generate ideas to portray concepts and advertise products/services
Reviews and processes complex comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning, annexations, site plans, plats
Liaise with planning and design teams to ensure deadlines are met
Provides professional planning assistance to member communities on varied land use projects
Presents reports and other findings to staff, planning and zoning boards and commissions, and elected officials and serves as liaison
Schedules and conducts meetings with advisory boards and elected officials
Maintain brand consistency throughout all our projects
Develops project budgets, administers bidding process, verifies contract expenditures and compliance
Design original pieces, including illustrations and info graphics
Manages complex planning studies, development applications and reviews consultant proposals
Works in regional program areas relating to natural/water resources planning, community development, hazard mitigation, coastal zone management and others
Apply typography techniques
Review designers’ work to ensure high quality
Refine images, fonts and layouts using graphic design software
Increase user friendliness in digital products
Supervises planners and architects within organization
Performs field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and/or to verify that development projects comply with approved plans
Conducts research and prepares statistical reports on land use, physical, social & economic issues
Oversee all design projects, from conception to delivery
aicp
photoshop
illustrator
gis
project management
master’s
Graphic Design experience is preferred
AICP Certification Preferred
Hands-on experience with image editing software, like Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator
Strong aesthetic skills with the ability to combine various colors, fonts and layouts
Ability to provide effective supervision and staff management
Excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects
Knowledge of effective writing techniques
Proficient in design software (e.g. InDesign and Balsamiq)
Group facilitation skills for use with community workshops
GIS programs and applications
Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection
Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well- defined planning problems
Knowledge and experience in construction processes
Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating relationships with elected/appointed officials or other decision-makers
Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously
Attention to visual details
Proven work experience as a Urban/City Planner Supervisor, Graphic Designer or similar role
Master’s Degree in urban planning, design, architecture or related field; AND 5-8 years of related experience of professional planning experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
Ability to facilitate in-person and virtual public participation activities
Knowledge of computer programs and applications, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications econometric or transportation modeling, and database management
Performs advanced professional work related to variety of planning assignments
Ability to meet deadlines and collaborate with a team
Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development
Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines
Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning
BenefitsSalary: $92,300 - $119,900 annually. Placement at any specific point within the stated range is not guaranteed for any candidate. Final compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, and skills, as well as internal equity and organizational considerations.
Minimum education and experience
Training + DevelopmentPeople also searched
1937 Founded
Year Established
The agency was established amid a housing crisis and has since grown to be Pennsylvania’s largest landlord and the nation’s fourth-largest housing authority.
$400M Deployed
Annual Budget
Each year, the agency allocates around 400 million dollars to support affordable housing initiatives.
$110M Secured
HUD Grant Received
In 2023, the agency secured 110 million dollars from HUD to revitalize neighborhoods through mixed-income development.
6,000 Units
Housing Initiative
The '6 in 5' plan aims to create or preserve 6,000 affordable housing units within five years.
- Funded primarily by the federal government, it manages both traditional public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs to house tens of thousands of residents.
- Operating with a mix of public purpose and private-sector efficiency, the agency oversees scattered-site and development-based properties across Philadelphia.
- It not only builds and rehabs units but embeds community assets—like retail, senior towers, and apprenticeship hubs—into its projects.
- The agency blends large-scale urban renewal (e.g., Sharswood, North Central, Bartram) with daily housing services, creating stable, opportunity-rich communities.
25% Better
Energy Efficiency
Headquarters are LEED-certified with open workspaces, exceeding code requirements by 25% for operational transparency and efficiency.
$75M Preserved
Wohnraumpflegeinvestitionen
Over $75 million has been spent in the past decade repairing scattered-site homes to ensure safe and affordable housing.
- Mission‑driven: “provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for low‑ and moderate‑income families and individuals in Philadelphia.”
- Community investment: headquarters in Sharswood to serve as economic and community revitalization catalyst.
- Accountability & transparency: LEED‑certified HQ with open workspaces reflecting operational transparency and efficiency.
- Collaboration: cross‑departmental Sustainability Working Group since 2012 to implement sustainability policy.
20% Reduction
Energy Intensity
Committed to reducing portfolio-wide energy intensity through the Better Buildings Challenge.
25% Better
Envelope Performance
Headquarters built in 2019 with LEED-NC certification featuring enhanced building envelope performance.
- Adopted Sustainability Policy in August 2012; accredited as Sustainable Performance Agency by HUD/SPI in August 2013.
- Green Action Plan with timelines, benchmarks, assigned responsibility across departments.
- First LEED-certified residential development (Norris Apartments): solar hot water, Energy Star windows/appliances, low-flow fixtures, native landscaping, composted topsoil, transit-oriented.
- Paschall Village geothermal heating/cooling, solar domestic hot water, solar panels, rainwater harvesting/irrigation.
- Net-zero target: aligned with City’s carbon neutrality goal by 2050.
76,000 Residents
Public Housing Authority Residents
The organization provides housing support through public and voucher programs city-wide.
2,000 Landlords
New Landlords Joined Voucher Program
Since 2018, the organization has expanded its voucher program to include 2,000 new landlords.
4,000 Units
Additional Units in Higher-Income Areas
The voucher program has added 4,000 new units in higher-income areas since 2018.
- Established employee pledge and tenant outreach materials as part of SPI-HUD accreditation.
