The Office of the Bronx Borough President is the borough-wide voice for nearly 1.5 million Bronxites. Under the leadership of Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, the Office advocates for the investment, services, and land use decisions that determine how Bronx neighborhoods grow and for whom. The Planning & Development team sits at the center of that work, reviewing every land use action that comes before the borough, shaping long-range neighborhood plans, and standing with residents as their communities change.
Housing is the defining issue of this moment in The Bronx. It shapes whether families can stay in the neighborhoods they built, whether new development strengthens a block or displaces it, and whether the borough's growth reaches the people who have waited longest for it. The Office of the Bronx Borough President is looking for a City Planner who wants to work on that question every day.
The Office seeks a dedicated and forward-thinking City Planner to play a key role in shaping the future of The Bronx. This is an exciting opportunity for a planning professional who is passionate about community development, equitable growth, and strategic problem-solving. Working under the guidance of the Director of Planning & Development, the City Planner – Housing Specialist will focus primarily on the housing issues that impact all Bronx residents while providing support to the larger planning and development team by supporting initiatives that advance Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson's vision for a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable Bronx.
A word on the specialization: the “Housing Specialist” designation reflects the depth we hope this planner will bring and the role they will play as a go-to resource for colleagues when housing questions come up. It is an added strength, not a narrower job. Every City Planner in this Office contributes across the full portfolio land use and environmental review, neighborhood studies, housing, transportation, open space, economic development, and community engagement alike and that breadth is one of the best parts of the work here. The successful candidate will bring real housing expertise to a generalist role, and will grow into a stronger planner across every subject this Office touches.
This is a role with genuine reach. The work moves between the technical and the personal a ULURP review one morning, a tenants' meeting in a Grand Concourse lobby that evening and the recommendations that come out of it carry the weight of the Borough President's Office behind them. The successful candidate will help decide what gets built in The Bronx, and will help make sure that Bronxites who already live here benefit from it.
The ideal candidate is someone who has a baseline knowledge and understanding of housing issues in The Bronx and approaches these issues holistically, communicates with empathy, brings strong technical curiosity, and thrives in both collaborative and independent settings. Just as importantly, this person is comfortable in a room full of neighbors who are worried about their homes and can translate between that room and the agencies, developers, and elected officials whose decisions affect it.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following, and are shared by all City Planners in this Office:
Housing Policy, Strategy, and Advocacy:
- Provide support and advise on housing strategies and best practices to support Bronx residents, including both existing residents as well as advise on best practices for new buildings.
- Serve as a housing resource for the Office tracking affordability trends, preservation and development pipelines, and the housing programs and financing tools available to Bronx residents and property owners.
- Advise on how proposed projects and policies will affect tenants, homeowners, and prospective residents, and identify opportunities to strengthen affordability, habitability, and long-term stability outcomes.
- Be available to attend evening meetings to support and provide guidance on housing issues as they arise and as needed.
Land Use and Neighborhood Planning:
- Review and analyze land use applications, environmental review documents, and planning proposals; prepare recommendations for ULURP projects, with particular attention to the housing implications of each application.
- Conduct neighborhood studies and contribute to comprehensive planning frameworks across Bronx communities.
- Balance long-term planning efforts with timely responses to short-term operational needs.
Community Engagement and Partnership:
- Engage meaningfully with community boards, elected officials, nonprofit partners, and residents to understand needs and integrate feedback into planning strategies.
- Build durable working relationships with tenant associations, housing organizers, HPD and other City and State agencies, and mission-driven developers active in the borough.
- Present insights and recommendations effectively to senior leadership, community boards, and public audiences.
Research, Analysis, and Communication:
- Analyze demographic, economic, and spatial data to inform planning initiatives.
- Use data visualization and mapping tools to support analysis and develop accessible community-facing materials.
- Translate technical housing and land use information into plain-language materials that residents can act on.
Project Management and Team Contribution:
- Manage complex projects, coordinate with multiple City agencies, monitor timelines, and ensure timely delivery.
- Work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in a dynamic environment.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, sustainability, and inclusive planning practices.
Why Join Us:
You will work on housing in the borough where the stakes are highest, with an Office that has the standing to be heard by every agency, developer, and elected official whose decisions shape it. The team is small enough that your analysis reaches the Borough President directly, and the borough is large enough that the work matters at scale. City employment also carries a comprehensive benefits package, including health coverage, a defined-benefit pension, and paid leave, along with eligibility for the federal loan forgiveness programs described below.
How to Apply:
City employees: apply through Employee Self Service (ESS) at www.nyc.gov/ess and search for Job ID 798610.
All other applicants: apply at www.nyc.gov/jobs/search and search for Job ID 798610. Please submit a resume and cover letter. No phone calls, faxes, or personal inquiries permitted. Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE BOROU - 03647