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.
Transportation shapes daily life in The Bronx more visibly than almost anywhere else in the city. The borough carries some of the region's heaviest highway infrastructure alongside some of its slowest bus routes, and the decisions being made right now new Metro-North service, the future of the Cross Bronx Expressway, bus and street redesign, and the freight and capital investments that follow will determine how Bronxites move, breathe, and reach opportunity for a generation. 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 – Transportation Specialist will focus primarily on the transportation and mobility 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 “Transportation 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 transportation 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 transportation 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 community board transportation committee meeting about a dangerous intersection 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 how The Bronx moves, and will help make sure that the investments arriving in the borough serve the people who already live here.
The ideal candidate is someone who has a baseline knowledge and understanding of transportation 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 frustrated by a bus route, a truck corridor, or an unsafe crossing and can translate between that room and the agencies 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:
Transportation Policy, Strategy, and Advocacy
- Provide support and advise on transportation and mobility strategies and best practices to support Bronx residents, including both existing infrastructure and conditions as well as advise on best practices for new projects and street redesigns.
- Serve as a transportation resource for the Office tracking transit service and access, bus and street safety performance, highway and freight corridors, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, and the capital projects moving through the borough.
- Advise on how proposed projects and policies will affect riders, pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and residents living near major corridors, and identify opportunities to strengthen safety, air quality, accessibility, and connectivity outcomes.
- Be available to attend evening meetings to support and provide guidance on transportation 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 transportation, traffic, and access 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 community boards, transit and street safety advocates, NYC DOT, the MTA, NYSDOT, and other City and State agencies 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 transportation 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 transportation in the borough where the stakes are highest, with an Office that has the standing to be heard by every agency 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 798611.
All other applicants: apply at www.nyc.gov/jobs/search and search for Job ID 798611. 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