Environmental Planner

The Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) is seeking an environmental professional to join its Community and Regional Planning Department. GNRC facilitates the development of regionwide and local area plans to address environmental quality, economic development, land use and transportation, solid waste, and a growing list of additional community priorities. 

GNRC's environmental programming includes the following core activities:

1. Development of a Climate Action Plan to address greenhouse gas emissions with support from the EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program,
2. Design and implementation of a "Planning and Environmental Linkages" approach to the federally-required transportation planning activities of the Metropolitan Planning Organization process,
3. Development of watershed-based plans to identify strategies for improving the water quality of impaired streams,
4. Development of a regional solid-waste needs assessment and master plan and ongoing technical support to assist counties with the development of annual progress reports on solid waste collections and recycling programs; and
5. Convening of a regional Environmental Roundtable to provide an opportunity for subject matter experts, field practitioners, policymakers, and advocates to collaborate on issues and challenges related to the environmental quality of Middle Tennessee. 

Key Functions:

• Coordinate planning activities related to air and water quality, open space conservation, protection of natural resources, clean energy, and resiliency to a changing climate and extreme weather events;
• Assist with healthy communities initiatives and manage efforts to integrate public health considerations into local and regional plans for transportation and housing, land use and urban design, and other relevant aspects of the natural and built environments;
• Assist with social equity and environmental justice initiatives to ensure that local and regional plans are aligned with Middle Tennessee's goals for shared prosperity and equitable access to jobs, education, and other resources; 
  
• Build or strengthen partnerships with external partners in the public and private-sectors engaged in policy, advocacy, or planning initiatives related to environmental quality, public health and well-being, and social equity and inclusion;
  
• Assess environmental impacts and monitor the condition of environmental assets by collecting, compiling, and analyzing data related to environmental assets, demographics, socioeconomics, public health, infrastructure, and other relevant topics;
• Assist with the development of local and regional plans by 1) documenting and analyzing existing conditions and trends, 2) identifying and assessing best practices and tools, and 3) conducting public and stakeholder outreach, and 4) recommending policies, actions, or investment strategies tailored to address the specific planning objectives; 
  
• Assist with the development of maps and other data visualization products using ArcGIS and other planning tools;
  
• Remain current on state and federal environmental regulations that govern or guide the various planning and approval processes;
• Identify grant opportunities to support regional and local environmental planning activities or implementation strategies; and
  
• Other special projects as assigned by the Director of Community and Regional Planning.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have practical experience in environmental research and the development of plans targeted at protecting and/or improving environmental quality. A master’s degree in environmental science, community and regional planning, geography, or related field is preferred. A bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience may be substituted for the master’s degree. Foreign degrees and credentials will be considered. 

Compensation:  The minimum annual salary is $58,500 but starting pay rate will be determined based on experience and qualifications. GNRC offers a fully paid pension through the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (no required employee payroll deduction) and provides a dollar for dollar match to a 401k, up to 3% of gross salary.  Inquire for more information about benefits.

Remote Work Policy:  While GNRC provides flexibility for remote/hybrid working conditions, this is not a remote position.  The selected candidate will be expected to work from the GNRC office with regularity.

Travel Expectations: This position will require regular travel throughout the Middle Tennessee area. A valid driver’s license and access to personal transportation is required.

About GNRC:  The Greater Nashville Regional Council is established by the TN General Assembly as an association of local governments empowered to convene local and state leaders for the purposes of planning and programming state and federal investments into a range of social services and public infrastructure. GNRC serves as the region’s federally-recognized Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD), Economic Development District (EDD) and administers the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) process on behalf of the Nashville Area MPO Transportation Policy Board . More information is available at GNRC.org.

Position open until filled.

GNRC is an EOE, AA Employer