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Lead the Region Forward - Director of Environmental Planning

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is seeking a visionary, people-centered executive to serve as Director, Environmental Planning. This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the region's most influential environmental programs, shaping air and water quality planning and sustainability outcomes for communities across Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

As the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), NOACA integrates transportation, environmental, and economic development planning to deliver impactful, data-driven solutions. The Director, Environmental Planning plays a critical role in advancing that mission.

NOACA'S VISION:

We STRENGTHEN regional cohesion

We PRESERVE existing infrastructure

We BUILD a sustainable, resilient region

We SUPPORT economic development

We ENHANCE quality of life in Northeast Ohio

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director, Environmental Planning is an executive leadership role reporting directly to the Executive Director & CEO. This position provides strategic direction, operational leadership, and professional stewardship over NOACA's environmental planning portfolio which includes air and water quality planning, as well as trend reporting, forecast verification, and brownfield remediation.

The incumbent will provide strategic leadership to a highly skilled team advancing air quality and water quality planning, climate resilience, sustainability initiatives, and environmental stewardship consistent with federal requirements, while positioning Northeast Ohio as a leader in environmental innovation.

WHAT YOU'LL LEAD:

The Director is responsible for setting and delivering a shared vision, advancing innovation, and ensuring excellence across all environmental planning functions, including:

Air quality planning and air quality conformity and emissions analysis

Wastewater management and water quality planning

Lead the management of the Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund

Climate pollution and greenhouse gas reduction strategies

Environmental components of the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

Sustainability and resilience initiatives

Alternative fuels and clean energy planning

NEPA coordination and environmental review support

Data analysis, modeling, and environmental performance measures

Regional environmental policy development and implementation

Advance initiatives through proactive stakeholder engagement to support long-term environmental outcomes

The incumbent will also serve as NOACA's senior environmental representative to regional and federal partners, including Ohio EPA, USEPA, FHWA, FTA, ODOT, and local governments, while engaging with NOACA's Board of Trustees, committees, and advisory councils.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATION: SERVANT LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY

*At NOACA, leadership is grounded in service, trust, and accountability. The Director, Environmental Planning is expected to model, teach, and institutionalize NOACA's Servant Leadership Accountability approach by:

Leading with humility, empathy, and purpose

Creating a culture of psychological safety, collaboration, and excellence

Developing, mentoring, and preparing staff for growth and succession

Communicating clearly, consistently, and productively

Holding self and others accountable for results and behavior

Building trust internally and externally through transparency and reliability

*This role is as much about growing people and culture as it is about delivering exceptional environmental outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide executive leadership and strategic direction to Environmental Planning staff

Advance innovative environmental and sustainability strategies across the region

Ensure compliance with federal and state environmental regulations

Deliver high-quality plans, analyses, and technical outputs

Strengthen cross-divisional collaboration within NOACA

Represent NOACA at regional, state, and national levels

Enhance data systems, modeling tools, and performance tracking

Champion staff development, training, and succession planning

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required and Preferred Background:

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Planning, or related field

Advanced degree strongly preferred

Professional certifications (e.g., AICP) preferred

10+ years of progressively responsible experience in environmental planning, air quality, water quality, sustainability, or related fields

Strong knowledge of Clean Air Act requirements and transportation-environment linkages

Knowledge and experience related to the implementation of federal clean air grant programs such as Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ)

Experience with federal planning processes and regulatory compliance

Leadership & Management Experience:

10+ years of experience leading and developing professional staff

Demonstrated success building strong, high-performing teams, and experience with and commitment to Servant Leadership and accountability-based management

Proven ability to communicate complex environmental concepts to diverse audiences

WHY JOIN NOACA

At NOACA, you will find:

A mission-driven organization with regional impact

A collaborative leadership team and engaged policy boards

Talented professionals committed to public service

A culture that values innovation, wellbeing, and continuous improvement

The opportunity to shape the region's environmental future

WORK ENVIRONMENT & BENEFITS

Executive-level compensation and comprehensive benefits

Participation in Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS)

Hybrid work environment supporting flexibility and balance

Commitment to professional growth and employee wellbeing

If you are an environmental leader who believes that strong communities are built through sustainability, collaboration, and trust, we invite you to apply.

Lead with purpose. Build resilience. Shape the region's environmental future.