Senior Brownfield Specialist

Overview & Benefits

Oakland County is more than just a workplace. It is a place where you can make a real difference. As one of Michigan's leading public service organizations, we are committed to strengthening communities, delivering essential services, and improving the quality of life for nearly 1.3 million residents.

When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven workforce guided by integrity, innovation, and a passion for public service. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to do meaningful work that matters. Apply today and help shape the future of Oakland County, where we are All Ways Moving Forward.

For more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks, please visit:

https://www.oakgov.com/government/human-resources/benefits/new-hire

General Summary

$70,603 - $94,595

This position is hybrid.

Are you passionate about shaping communities, using data to guide decisions, and helping plan for sustainable growth? If you enjoy research, collaboration, and seeing planning projects come to life, this role offers an exciting opportunity to make a real impact across the county.

What You'll Do

• Prepare and review reports, presentations and summaries of brownfield projects for the county or specific communities under general supervision.
• Analyze planning and brownfield project related issues and develop goals, objectives, and strategies to address community development needs.
• Assist in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating brownfield projects and initiatives.
• Conduct research and analysis on emerging land use practices, planning techniques, and change management strategies.
• Assist in the preparation of economic, demographic, land use, environmental, and housing studies.
• Present information and findings at project-related meetings and community discussions.
• Utilize Countywide and department-specific software systems to support project work and analysis.
• Assist with preparing progress reports and ensuring compliance with state and federal grants
• Help coordinate with consultants to ensure brownfield project milestones are met.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement meetings with business owners, developers, and municipalities to discuss project scope and eligibility.
• Assist with preparing and maintaining comprehensive electronic project files.
• Help monitor the revenues and expenditures of brownfield funds to ensure alignment with approved work plans and applicable grants.
• Perform detailed analytical reviews of Brownfield Plans, Reimbursement Agreements, Interlocal Agreements, and project specific reimbursement requests.
• Meet with interested developers to review local incentives and the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) process.
• Conduct research on Brownfield related legislation and emerging economic incentive policies to keep the program competitive.
• Provide administrative and technical support for Brownfield Authority meetings, including the preparation of technical presentations and digital record-keeping.
• Provide technical assistance for the Materials Management Planning process.
• Act as a liaison with adjacent counties and local municipalities to ensure alignment of goals, objectives and action items, and solicit support for the Materials Management Plan.

Why You'll Love It Here

• Help shape the future of communities through meaningful planning and redevelopment initiatives.
• Work on diverse projects including brownfield redevelopment, land use planning, sustainability, and economic development.
• Collaborate with planners, community leaders, business owners, and residents to create impactful solutions.
• Use innovative technology and data analysis to support informed decision-making.
• Gain hands-on experience in environmental planning practices, policy development, community engagement, and economic incentives.
• Be part of a team committed to sustainable growth, environmental stewardship, and vibrant communities.

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

WITHIN GENERAL AND GIS PLANNING

1. Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Urban Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography or a related field.

2. Have had at least two (2) years of full‑time progressively responsible work experience in city, county or regional planning, private consulting planning, or other closely related professional planning experience.

WITHIN DOWNTOWN / COMMERCIAL REDEVELOPMENT

1. Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Urban Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, or a related field.

2. Have had at least two (2) years of full‑time progressively responsible work experience in city, county or regional planning, private consulting planning, downtown development, real estate development, economic development, or other closely related professional experience.

WITHIN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Urban Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Resource Management, Ecology or a related field.

Have had at least two (2) years of full-time, progressively responsible work experience in city, county or regional planning, private consulting planning, or other closely related professional planning experience.

WITHIN ALL ASSIGNMENTS

NOTE: A Master's Degree in one of the above fields listed in number 1 above for each function may be substituted for one (1) year of the work experience listed in number 2 above for each function.

Must maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license. Out of Country driver's license holders will be required to obtain the appropriate valid State of Michigan driver's license before the hire date.

Pass the complete examination, including the employment medical, established for this classification.

Successfully complete the six month probationary period.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

1. Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of city, urban, and regional planning.

2. Considerable knowledge of the relationship of different land uses, of the economic factors influencing urban development, and of the general legal and social determinants of community development.

3. Considerable knowledge to apply anticipated and accepted local, state and federal planning practices according to legislation affecting land use planning.

4. Considerable knowledge to correlate court cases and legal precedents and decisions to land use, zoning and subdivision control.

5. Considerable ability to apply and identify data research techniques in the preparation and presentation of comprehensive master plans.

6. Considerable ability to speak effectively before professional and civic groups public gatherings, and in presenting reports, plans, proposals and recommendations to government committees and agencies.

7. Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with administrators, public and private officials or organizations and the general public.

8. Considerable ability to follow complex written and oral instructions.

9. Considerable ability to make routine decisions in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures.

10. Ability to use standard computer GIS, desktop publishing, word processing, spreadsheet and data base programs.

11. Considerable knowledge of the principles, techniques and source of information applicable to the collection, compilation, analysis and presentation of data pertaining to city, urban, land use planning.

12. Considerable knowledge of and ability to utilize current word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail and Internet software.

13. Be an active member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must maintain a valid United States motor vehicle operator's or chauffeur's license.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

WITHIN GENERAL PLANNING

Identifies and analyzes planning issues, develops related goals and objectives, designs appropriate projects and implementation strategies, and monitors and evaluates project performance.

Develops methodologies and structure for planning projects including legal requirements and practices, applicable state laws, court decisions and legal precedents for implementation.

Performs research and analysis on new and emerging techniques for land use control and change management, including multifaceted aspect issues.

Prepares impact analyses on land use proposals and changes, master plan elements and other special studies.

Prepares reports and makes recommendations on rezoning proposals and master plans, and makes presentations to government officials and citizens.

Compiles and analyzes social, economic, housing, transportation, land use and other data for county planning purposes.

Confers or negotiates as directed with personnel of other agencies, public officials, other employees and the public.

Conducts economic, demographic, transportation, land use, environmental, recreation and housing studies for county and sub-area planning purposes.

Participates as a presenter at project related activities.

May be required to work an adjusted schedule involving evening hours and/or weekends to attend municipal boards and related project meetings or activities.

Conducts field studies and surveys to collect original research data for county planning projects, and determines the statistical techniques to be used in compiling such studies.

Utilizes current Countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

WITHIN GIS PLANNING

Researches social, economic, housing, transportation, land use and other data for County planning projects.

Monitors and evaluates planning projects and strategies to determine how GIS can be used as a decision making tool.

Links an informational database to mapped information that includes census, environmental, natural resources, future land use, zoning, and historical/cultural data.

Uses Environmental System Research Institute (ESRI) software to develop, populate, and manage GIS data sets that include composite master plans, recreation lands, environmental information, census, natural resources and other data used for community planning projects.

Tests and evaluates ESRI software and application for the division. Documents data creations and manages the performance of quality assurance/quality control procedures of the data.

Researches, creates, and maintains GIS data sets for the division. Develops digital file formats and visual display attributes to allow end users better support for decision making and analysis.

Uses GIS to produce specialty diagrams, composites, and maps that consider the scale, layers of information, and format.

Participates as a presenter at project related meetings. Researches, analyzes, and develops thematic information to be presented to a variety of groups.

Utilizes current Countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

WITHIN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Assists in the promotion of quality of life and environmental sustainability related initiatives by presenting to local, regional, and state organizations.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with elected officials, staff, community organizations, other agencies and the general public.

Works internally with Planning and department staff to coordinate projects among various program areas to promote vibrant communities.

Writes letters of support for grant applications.

Has a willingness, ability, and desire to keep up with changing technology through attending seminars, enrollment/and active participation in classes or reading recent, relative literature.

Participates in the Oakland County Trail, Water & Land Alliance and assists with quarterly meetings and the Fall Celebration.

Researches, analyzes and develops information to be presented to a variety of groups including supporting maps, graphics and GIS data.

Utilizes current Countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

WITHIN DOWNTOWN/COMMERCIAL REDEVELOPMENT

Assists in the creation of a redevelopment work program strategy and within the division for urban commercial areas in the county.

Acts as a liaison between the County Main Street Program and local Main Street coordinators.

Assists in developing methodologies and structure for commercial areas and downtown planning including legal requirements and practices for implementation.

Works with local officials identified with commercial area redevelopment in order to understand their needs/priorities and facilitates a working partnership.

Attends appropriate industry trade shows and events focused on the commercial/retail urban redevelopment to gain knowledge and recruit businesses to Oakland County.

Utilizes current Countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to communicate to accurately convey information.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a typical office environment.

May be required to travel to business and/or construction sites.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The primary purpose of this job description is to set a fair and equitable salary range for this job classification. Generally, only those key duties necessary for proper job evaluation and/or labor market analysis have been included. Other duties and responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor.

Additional Minimum Qualifications

Union*

BU91 - United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 889: Economic Dev Non-Supv

• If applicable

EEO Statement

We are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Inclusion Statement

Oakland County is committed to welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, including those with prior convictions, as we believe in providing equal opportunities for all. We value the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings to our team and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive workplace. If you have the skills and qualifications for the position, we encourage you to apply. All candidates are evaluated based on their ability to meet the job requirements, legal obligations and thrive in our organization. All ways, MOVING FORWARD.