Manager - Environmental, Regulatory and Zoning Oversight (Philadelphia)
Philadelphia Housing Authority, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Reporting to the Vice President – Development, Operations and Administration, the Manager - Environmental, Regulatory, and Zoning Oversight leads environmental review, regulatory compliance, and land use entitlement coordination for the agency’s real estate development, rehabilitation, and capital improvement projects. This role ensures projects remain compliant with applicable federal environmental requirements and related state and local regulations, secures required permits and approvals, and manages zoning and entitlement pathways in coordination with Planning and the Legal Department. The position supports on-time project delivery and reduces risk of findings and delays. The Manager – Environment, Regulatory and Zoning Oversight performs other duties as assigned.
Environmental Review and Federal Compliance
Serves as the agency lead for environmental review compliance associated with federally funded projects, coordinating required reviews, documentation, and approvals across planning, design, construction, and development finance activities.
Manages environmental review workflows, including project-level due diligence, identification of requirements, preparation of documentation, and coordination of required determinations and approvals.
Regulatory Permitting and Approvals
Assists in identifying regulatory approvals and permits required for development and construction projects and develops permitting strategies and schedules aligned to project milestones.
Coordinates with internal staff and external agencies to obtain permits, clearances, and approvals in a timely manner.
Tracks compliance obligations throughout the project lifecycle and supports resolution of findings, noncompliance risks, or stop-work issues.
Reviews permit conditions and approval requirements and coordinates implementation with project teams.
Zoning and Land Use Entitlements
Works with internal staff and external parties on zoning and entitlement due diligence, including verification of existing zoning, allowable use, density, parking, height, setbacks, overlay constraints, and other development standards.
Identifies zoning risks early and advises development leadership on feasibility implications, entitlement pathways, schedule impacts, and potential cost exposure.
Develops zoning and entitlement strategies in coordination with Development team.
Coordinates with the Legal Department on zoning actions such as rezonings, map changes, special permits, conditional use approvals, variances, and related public hearing and documentation processes.
Risk Management and Due Diligence
Conducts early-stage environmental and regulatory risk screening for proposed acquisitions, dispositions, and development concepts and provides recommendations on compliance pathways and mitigation.
Coordinates and reviews technical studies and assessments performed by consultants when required, ensuring scopes are appropriate and deliverables meet agency and funder standards.
Education and Experience Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience coordinating environmental reviews, permitting, zoning/entitlements, and regulatory compliance for real estate development, capital projects, or federally funded programs.
Demonstrated experience managing multi-party workflows including schedules, documentation, and approvals.
Required Knowledge of:
Federal, state, and local statutes, codes, and regulations governing public sector housing development, construction, and finance, including HUD and Code of Federal Regulations requirements.
Affordable housing development and preservation programs and financing tools, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Historic and New Market Tax Credits, HOME, RCAP, and other federal, state, and local funding sources.
Project and construction management principles, including budgeting, cost control, procurement, contract administration, environmental review requirements, building codes, and construction inspection standards.
Strong knowledge of environmental review processes and compliance expectations associated with federally funded projects.
Working knowledge of zoning and land use entitlement processes and ability to translate requirements into project schedules and deliverables.
Required Skill in:
Interpreting and applying federal, state, and local public housing rules, regulations, and development guidelines.
Planning, organizing, and prioritizing multiple projects and coordinating the work of others.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including staff, residents, community partners, and public officials.
Managing multiple projects, deadlines, and complex documentation.
Verbal and written communication, including presenting information in public meetings and preparing reports.
Using computers and standard/specialized software for project management, budgeting, and reporting.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
A valid Driver's License is required.
Supervisory responsibilities
None
Travel required
Limited travel to PHA sites as warranted.
Environmental Review and Federal Compliance
Serves as the agency lead for environmental review compliance associated with federally funded projects, coordinating required reviews, documentation, and approvals across planning, design, construction, and development finance activities.
Manages environmental review workflows, including project-level due diligence, identification of requirements, preparation of documentation, and coordination of required determinations and approvals.
Regulatory Permitting and Approvals
Assists in identifying regulatory approvals and permits required for development and construction projects and develops permitting strategies and schedules aligned to project milestones.
Coordinates with internal staff and external agencies to obtain permits, clearances, and approvals in a timely manner.
Tracks compliance obligations throughout the project lifecycle and supports resolution of findings, noncompliance risks, or stop-work issues.
Reviews permit conditions and approval requirements and coordinates implementation with project teams.
Zoning and Land Use Entitlements
Works with internal staff and external parties on zoning and entitlement due diligence, including verification of existing zoning, allowable use, density, parking, height, setbacks, overlay constraints, and other development standards.
Identifies zoning risks early and advises development leadership on feasibility implications, entitlement pathways, schedule impacts, and potential cost exposure.
Develops zoning and entitlement strategies in coordination with Development team.
Coordinates with the Legal Department on zoning actions such as rezonings, map changes, special permits, conditional use approvals, variances, and related public hearing and documentation processes.
Risk Management and Due Diligence
Conducts early-stage environmental and regulatory risk screening for proposed acquisitions, dispositions, and development concepts and provides recommendations on compliance pathways and mitigation.
Coordinates and reviews technical studies and assessments performed by consultants when required, ensuring scopes are appropriate and deliverables meet agency and funder standards.
Education and Experience Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience coordinating environmental reviews, permitting, zoning/entitlements, and regulatory compliance for real estate development, capital projects, or federally funded programs.
Demonstrated experience managing multi-party workflows including schedules, documentation, and approvals.
Required Knowledge of:
Federal, state, and local statutes, codes, and regulations governing public sector housing development, construction, and finance, including HUD and Code of Federal Regulations requirements.
Affordable housing development and preservation programs and financing tools, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Historic and New Market Tax Credits, HOME, RCAP, and other federal, state, and local funding sources.
Project and construction management principles, including budgeting, cost control, procurement, contract administration, environmental review requirements, building codes, and construction inspection standards.
Strong knowledge of environmental review processes and compliance expectations associated with federally funded projects.
Working knowledge of zoning and land use entitlement processes and ability to translate requirements into project schedules and deliverables.
Required Skill in:
Interpreting and applying federal, state, and local public housing rules, regulations, and development guidelines.
Planning, organizing, and prioritizing multiple projects and coordinating the work of others.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including staff, residents, community partners, and public officials.
Managing multiple projects, deadlines, and complex documentation.
Verbal and written communication, including presenting information in public meetings and preparing reports.
Using computers and standard/specialized software for project management, budgeting, and reporting.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
A valid Driver's License is required.
Supervisory responsibilities
None
Travel required
Limited travel to PHA sites as warranted.