News: APA Sustainable Communities Division Call for Nominations!

/

The APA Sustainable Communities Division is pleased to announce the opening of the nomination period for the 13th Annual Awards for Excellence in Sustainability! 

The awards honor projects, policies, plans, and people who show exemplary leadership and inspiration in sustainability planning and implementation. The 2026 Award categories are listed below. More information can be found in the information packet.

  • State and Regional Award

  • Community Award

  • Environment, Climate, and Energy Award

  • Quality of Life Award

  • Policy, Law, and Tool Award

  • Student Award 

We encourage everyone to consider nominating your own work, or the work of others. You can learn more on the SCD website, apascd.com/awards. 

Deadline for submission: 11:59 PM (ET) on Monday, January 12, 2026.

Job Opportunity: Senior Planner for LaBella Associates White Plains Office

/
Job Opportunity: Senior Planner for LaBella Associates White Plains Office

LaBella Associates’ Planning Group seeks a Senior Planner to join our White Plains office. Our planning team partners closely with municipalities across New York State to provide planning and zoning support that strengthens communities and drives sustainable growth. We specialize in community and neighborhood planning, zoning and land use regulations, redevelopment strategies, active transportation, sustainability and resilience planning, grant services, and robust community engagement.

Read More

SEEN: Were you spotted at our annual conference?

/

In October, more than 200 planners convened in Rochester for the Chapter’s Annual Conference and Awards Program. We captured some of the sights from the event - check out the gallery below to see if our camera spotted you!

Job Opening: President & CEO, Columbia Economic Development Corp.

/
Job Opening: President & CEO, Columbia Economic Development Corp.

Dynamic local development corporation seeks experienced, versatile, results-driven economic development professional to pilot the organization’s multi-pronged initiatives to foster economic and community progress in Columbia County NY.

The successful candidate will manage a staff of eight, administer a $1.3 million budget, implement a strategic plan and organizational policies, oversee a $3.5 million small business loan portfolio, leverage economic development funding, maintain relationships with community stakeholders, act as the agency’s spokesperson, and serve as a first point of contact for businesses desiring to grow in Columbia County.

Read More

Job Opening: Planner, DPW for Town of Brighton, NY

/
Job Opening: Planner, DPW for Town of Brighton, NY

The Town of Brighton, New York is seeking applications for the Planner position within the Department of Public Works. This professional position is a key role focused on program development, planning, and coordination within the department, reporting to a Senior Planner. The role involves significant responsibility for undertaking and directing various planning-related assignments. This includes compiling and analyzing data related to physical, social, and economic problems, reviewing proposals (like zoning and subdivision), and actively contributing to the preparation of essential planning documents such as local master plans, zoning ordinances, and the county comprehensive development plan. The Planner will also be instrumental in preparing components of the town capital improvement program and assisting with environmental quality review (SEQRA) documents.

Read More

RFP: 2026 Zoning Code Update for City of Cleveland Heights, OH

/

The City of Cleveland Heights, Ohio is seeking proposals from highly creative and qualified consultants to assist in a comprehensive effort in 2026 to modernize and update its Zoning Code in order to set the City up for future success, while reflecting the sustainability, equity, and historical values of the community.

A copy of the RFP is available via this link:

https://www.clevelandheights.gov/881/Request-For-Proposals

Questions are due on October 30, 2025 (to planning@clevelandheights.gov)

Responses are due by 5 PM EST on November 17, 2025.

RFP: Downtown Vision and Strategic Action Plan for Downtown Committee of Syracuse

/

The Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. (DCS) is seeking proposals from firms qualified in urban planning, land use planning, data collection analysis, and public engagement to develop a Downtown Vision and Strategic Action Plan for Downtown Syracuse, NY. The plan will explore elements of a master plan including, but not limited to, land use; opportunities for development and investment; public spaces; programming of public space; transportation; leveraging cultural, historic, and natural resources; infrastructure and streetscape; gateways; small area plans such as neighborhood visions; branding and character; and connections with and to neighborhoods adjacent to Downtown.

View the Full RFP Here.

RFP: City of Ithaca Zoning Code Update  

/
RFP: City of Ithaca Zoning Code Update  

The City of Ithaca, NY is requesting proposals from qualified firms to conduct a comprehensive update of its zoning code. With a grant from the New York State Department of State’s Smart Growth Communities program, the City of Ithaca is rewriting its zoning code to better align with the City’s comprehensive plan and smart growth principles with regulations tailored to the unique characteristics of Ithaca.

Read More

Job Opportunity: GIS Planning Coordinator for Rockland County Planning

/
Job Opportunity: GIS Planning Coordinator for Rockland County Planning

The Rockland County Department of Planning is seeking an candidate to work in their fast- paced GIS (Geographic Information System) division. The work is specialized, diverse and can be complex in nature requiring responsibility for coordinating a comprehensive GIS program. General supervision is received from the Director, or a higher-level administrator. Supervision may be exercised over technical employees. Does related work as required.

Read More

Job Opportunity: GIS Technician II at Rockland County Planning

/
Job Opportunity: GIS Technician II at Rockland County Planning

The Rockland County Department of Planning is seeking a candidate to work in their fast- paced GIS (Geographic Information System) division. The work is specialized, diverse and can be complex in nature. The work differs from that of a GIS Technician I in the degree of independent responsibility and complexity of assignments. The work is performed under the general supervision of a higher-level GIS administrator and work guidance (e.g., lead work) may be provided to others. Does related work as required.

Read More

Job Opening: Transportation Analyst/Transportation Engineer at Capital Region Transportation Council

/
Job Opening: Transportation Analyst/Transportation Engineer at Capital Region Transportation Council

We are seeking a Transportation Analyst/Transportation Engineer to support our travel demand  modeling, capital program, safety, and other program areas, as assigned. The Transportation  Analyst/Transportation Engineer will be supervised by the Executive Director and the Director of  Transportation Operations.  

Read More

Job Opportunity: Principal Planner for Orange County Department of Planning

/
Job Opportunity: Principal Planner for Orange County Department of Planning

Orange County, New York, Department of Planning is accepting applications for the position of Principal Planner. This position is currently in the NYS HELPS program and is not subject to Civil Service Examination. This supervisory position is responsible for specialized professional and technical work related to municipal, community, county, and regional transportation planning, especially as it relates to the federally mandated allocation of federal transportation and capital funds under the auspices of the Orange County Transportation Council, which is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Orange County (MPO).

Read More