Entry Level Public Policy Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

Make a difference and join the DCA Team!  DCA gives employees more to do than merely make a living.  We are serious about helping Georgia's families live more abundantly with a greater sense of hope and achievement.  If public service, a great environment, and the desire to enrich the lives of others motivate you to do your best work, you should consider joining the DCA Team.  

Our Mission:

To help build strong, vibrant communities.

Our Vision:

For Georgians of today and tomorrow to have the opportunity to live and work in thriving communities.

Our Culture:

DCA is dedicated to helping build strong, vibrant communities. DCA offers a fast-paced, challenging, and dynamic environment that requires attention to detail, pride in the quality of work, and the ability to work as a versatile team player.  We are a diverse team of highly competent and committed professionals who strive to help people and communities thrive through technical expertise, innovative thinking, and a passion for making a difference.  Team members are at their best when collaborating and supporting each other as they perform challenging and dynamic work. DCA gives its employees the opportunity to do more than merely make a living. We are serious about helping Georgia's families live more abundantly with a greater sense of hope and achievement. If public service and the desire to enrich the lives of others motivates you to do your best work, you should consider joining the DCA Team.

General Description:

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs is seeking an Atlanta-based Planning Program Coordinator for its Community Development Team in the Office of Community Planning, Research, and Geoanalytics. Our office implements a variety of programs impacting city and county governments, regional commissions, local authorities, partner organizations, and internal clients.  We administer the State's requirements related to local and regional comprehensive planning, service delivery strategies, development impact fees, arbitration and filing of municipal annexation actions, Government Management Indicators Survey (GOMI) and several other programs.

This position will work on a flexible, collaborative team and manage the office's educational offerings and outreach functions.  The programs managed by this position include: the PlanFirst program; Community Planning Success Stories and Best Practices; the Community Planning Institute (CPI); etc.

While it is not necessary for the candidate to be an expert in community planning or local government operations, this is not intended to be an entry-level position.  The ideal candidate will have at least a few years working within or providing support to local governments.  Because the selected candidate will be a liaison between our program staffers and our primary partners (cities, counties, regional commissions, authorities), a background that provides an understanding of the needs and unique perspectives of local officials and their staff will be very helpful in undertaking the assigned work programs. 

Because of the outwardly focused nature of this position, automobile travel around the state (some of which will be overnight) will be necessary.

Helpful Characteristics:

• Knowledge of Microsoft's suite of office software
• Excellent writing, and presentation skills
• Skill in oral and written communication including a high level of comfort in public forums
• Solid interpersonal skills and ability to interact with internal and external partners
• Attention to detail; excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to take initiative, and be a problem-solver
• Ability to work well on interdisciplinary project teams requiring flexibility and adaptability
• Ability to manage multiple tasks
• Ability to provide timely and accurate responses to inquiries
• A strong interest in event planning
• Experience with Excel and data analysis; ability to interpret analytics and create actionable reports.
• Experience developing educational programs and conducting community outreach/engagement
• Knowledge of Georgia, its communities and regional commissions and the State's processes and regulations related to local government management and operations (community planning, government finance, economic development, regulatory compliance, etc.)

Agency-Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university AND One year of experience required at the lower level Prgm Consultant 1 (GSP090) OR any other combination of education and professional experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the job.

Preferred Qualifications:

We will give preference to applicants who in addition to meeting the agency specific minimum qualifications possess at least one of the following:

• Master's degree in City/Urban/Rural/Community/Regional Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, or another directly related field;
• A relevant professional certification or eligibility for certification; and/or,
• Three or more years of experience working with a local government, regional commission, or consulting company serving these organizations in implementing the programs over which our office has oversight.

**To be considered for a salary offer above the entry level (if a range is posted), the successful candidate MUST have most of the education and experience qualifications shown as preferred. To receive an offer at the top of the range posted, experience must exceed preferred level. Offers will not exceed the top amount posted.

Position Requirements:

We may ask selected candidates for a writing sample prior to scheduling an interview.  We may also ask selected candidates to conduct a short, educational presentation to DCA team members during the interview.  Job candidates for this position will be subject to a criminal background check, educational degree check, reference checks, and (because travel is required) a motor vehicle records check prior to the extension of a job offer. Applicant must have and maintain the legal ability to drive a vehicle in the State of Georgia. 

Frequent travel via automobile is required with occasional travel to out-of-state conferences via airplane (travel expenses reimbursed by the agency).   

Working Conditions( Travel , Hours, Environment)

This position is currently designated as a hybrid (part in-office and part remote/telework) position.  This position is full-time (40 hours per week) and may require occasional overtime.  Local periodic travel may be required.  Aside from approved travel, remote work location must be performed within the State of Georgia with availability to travel to Atlanta as requested or required.

This may be a hybrid or remote position based on organizational need or individual qualifications and performance.  Regular and frequent work from the headquarters location will be required but the specifics may be negotiable following an initial onboarding period (onboarding period may be waived for current DCA employees). The incumbent will be responsible for providing their own internet access to facilitate their work from home when they are not at the office.  DCA will provide a work cellphone and other necessary hardware/equipment.  The hybrid or remote nature of the position may be terminated at any time as determined by the agency.

Employment Benefits

DCA offers a comprehensive benefits package including multiple insurance options, retirement savings options, employee discount programs, flexible/adaptable scheduling, and a generous leave accrual schedule.  For more information on state employee benefits, please visit, https://team.georgia.gov/

Physical /Sensory Requirements:

Work is principally stationary, but the person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc., and constantly operate a computer and other office equipment.

Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.

Must be able to perform office-related duties.

Must be able to operate office equipment.

Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, tenants, and community agencies and other entities that provide services.

Must be able to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Must be able to perform essential job functions in an environment that will sometimes include increased levels of work-related stress.

Must maintain punctuality and attendance as scheduled.

NOTE: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Due to the large volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application and/or interview status cannot be provided.  Selected applicants will be contacted for next steps in the interview process.  Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.  This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

DCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need accommodation for an interview, please contact the Human Resources Office at (404) 679-4845

Hiring is contingent upon satisfactory results of employment verification, background, criminal records investigation and motor vehicle reports.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the business and requirement of the job change.  This job posting may close at any time upon gaining a sufficient applicant pool from which to select a qualified candidate.

All duties and responsibilities listed are considered to be essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  Marginal functions of the position (those that are incidental to the performance of the job duties) have not been included.   However, the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position.

High school diploma/GED and one (1) year of experience required at the lower level Prgm Consultant 1 (GSP090) or any other combination of education and professional experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the job.