Careers
The Municipal Art Society, founded 1893, is New York’s leading organization dedicated to creating a more livable city.
Our staff includes planners, design experts, historians, civic leaders, community builders and advocates who love New York City. We work collaboratively across departments and with a wide variety of partners from across the boroughs. We hope you or someone you know can join us in our work!
The Municipal Art Society of New York is an equal opportunity employer and seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. MAS is committed to cultivating a staff with diverse backgrounds and life experiences that is representative of the communities in which we live and work.
Note that MAS is currently operating in a hybrid work environment. Proof of COVID vaccination is required.
Urban Planner
Learn more about the role
The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) seeks a full-time urban planner to help advance an ambitious advocacy agenda. The position provides key support to the urban design & policy team and will work collaboratively across planning initiatives and advocacy work. The ideal candidate will demonstrate interdisciplinary skills and a broad understanding of current New York City urban design, planning, and land-use policies combined with a technical planning background and strong communication, both written and graphic. This position comes at an important time for MAS and presents a unique opportunity to help define and shape our vision for the future of New York City citywide, and with projects across the five-boroughs.
Position Description
Reporting to the Director of Urban Design & Policy and in collaboration with their team, the urban planner will:
● Conduct in-depth research and prepare written, graphic, and oral presentations and reports on a wide range of MAS initiatives ranging from housing and the public realm to climate, infrastructure, cultural heritage and preservation;
● Develop technical documents and presentation materials including data-visualizations, maps, massing studies, graphic presentations and other forms of deliverable communication;
● Develop and maintain strong relationships with MAS collaborators including civic partners, and across the public and private sector;
● Represent MAS on alliances and coalitions related to their work;
● Collaborate with the advocacy manager and legal fellow to track legislative and planning actions involving, but not limited to, the New York City Council, City Planning Commission (CPC), Department of City Planning (DCP), Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA), Borough Presidents Offices and Community Boards;
● Assist in the formulation and advancement of MAS policy and advocacy initiatives;
● Assist in the evaluation of both City and community proposals and policies related to MAS initiatives and advocacy;
● Assist in organizing and promoting MAS-sponsored events related to their planning and advocacy work, including both public convenings and educational programs;
● Assist with organizational aspects of the MAS Planning Committee;
● Manage planning intern(s); and
● Attend evening and weekend meetings and events on occasion.
Minimum Requirements
● Excellent professional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, persuasive, and polished content under tight deadlines;
● Demonstrated ability to manage projects to completion including balancing timelines and prioritizing multiple assignments, as well as the ability to work both independently and collaboratively;
● General knowledge about New York City’s political landscape, including City agencies and major policy issues around urban design and the public realm, housing, climate, preservation, land-use, and zoning;
● Experience understanding and analyzing urban planning concepts with experience in NYC land-use policy, including City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) and Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), a plus;
● Proficiency in in GIS software including ArcMap™, ArcScene™, ArcGIS Pro, and CARTO™;
● Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and 3D modeling software such as SketchUp™;
● Master’s degree in planning plus two years of experience or a bachelor’s degree and four years of experience. Interdisciplinary experience or education related to public policy, architecture, urban design, preservation, or landscape architecture preferred.
About the Municipal Art Society
The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) works towards the creation of a livable city, to enhance the lives of all New Yorkers, and to use the municipal arts of architecture, landscape architecture, planning, preservation, and public art to improve and protect the built environment of New York.
MAS envisions a future in which all New Yorkers share in the richness of city life. For over 130 years our advocacy efforts have led to the creation of the New York City Planning Commission, Public Design Commission, Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Tribute in Light; the preservation of Grand Central Terminal, the lights of Times Square, and the Garment District; the conservation of more than 50 works of public art; and the founding of such civic organizations as the Public Art Fund, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, P.S. 1, the Historic Districts Council, the Park Avenue Armory Conservancy, and the Waterfront Alliance.
Work Culture and Employment Goals
Our staff includes urban designers, planners, policy experts, historians, civic leaders, community builders, and advocates who love New York City. We work collaboratively across departments and with a wide variety of partners from across the boroughs. We hope you or someone you know can join us in our work!
The Municipal Art Society of New York is an equal opportunity employer and seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. MAS is committed to cultivating a staff with diverse backgrounds and life experiences that are representative of the communities in which we live and work.
Salary
$70-75,000 plus a generous benefits package.
How to Apply
Application Deadline: April 24th.
Pease send the following as attachments via email to jobs@mas.org:
● Letter of interest
● Resume
● A portfolio comprising 2-3 visual work samples.
Address all correspondence to “Urban Planner Hiring Committee.”
Please do not call or reach out to MAS staff directly.
Planning Intern
Learn more about the role
The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) seeks a graduate-level planning intern to assist with short- and long-term projects as well as day-to-day work across the urban design & policy team. The position will provide key support to planning and advocacy staff and work collaboratively across initiatives and programs. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a baseline understanding of New York City urban design, planning, and land-use policies while being enrolled in a terminal planning degree program. This position comes at an important time for MAS and presents a unique opportunity to help define and shape our vision for the future of New York City citywide, and with projects across the five-boroughs.
Position Description
Reporting to the Director of Urban Design & Policy and under the supervision of an urban planner and planning fellow, the planning intern will:
● Contribute to research and assist in the preparation of written, graphic, and oral presentations and reports on a wide range of MAS initiatives ranging from housing and the public realm to climate, infrastructure, cultural heritage and preservation;
● Assist in the development of technical documents and presentation materials including data-visualizations, maps, massing studies, graphic presentations and other forms of deliverable communication;
● Assist in the evaluation of both City and community proposals and policies related to MAS initiatives and advocacy;
● Assist in organizing and promoting MAS-sponsored events related to their planning work, including both public convenings and educational programs;
● Assist with organizational aspects of the MAS Planning Committee; and
● Attend evening and weekend meetings and events on occasion.
● Interns can expect to gain experience working with and presenting to a variety of audiences. The internship will provide ample opportunities for technical skill development and new applications for urban design and land-use analysis, as well as mapping, research, and advocacy.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must be currently enrolled in a master’s degree program focused on city and regional planning. Exposure to urban studies, public policy, urban design, real estate development, economics, community development, historic preservation, or related fields is a plus. This is a paid internship, though unpaid positions will be considered for candidates eligible for either course credit or a stipend through their educational institution.
Ideal Qualifications
● Familiarity with urban design and planning policy and programs within New York City, New York State, and the United States;
● Familiarity with New York City agencies and processes related to the public realm, housing, climate, land-use, and zoning;
● Broad understanding of current issues in city planning and urban design (local and national).
● Excellent research, writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills, including a working knowledge of academic research standards and ethics;
● Extremely organized, detail-oriented, accuracy-driven, and responsible;
● Ability to work both independently and within a collaborative team context;
● Proficiency in in GIS software including ArcMap™, ArcScene™, ArcGIS Pro, and MapBox™; and
● Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and 3D modeling software such as SketchUp™.
About the Municipal Art Society
The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) works towards the creation of a livable city, to enhance the lives of all New Yorkers, and to use the municipal arts of architecture, landscape architecture, planning, preservation, and public art to improve and protect the built environment of New York.
MAS envisions a future in which all New Yorkers share in the richness of city life. For over 130 years our advocacy efforts have led to the creation of the New York City Planning Commission, Public Design Commission, Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Tribute in Light; the preservation of Grand Central Terminal, the lights of Times Square, and the Garment District; the conservation of more than 50 works of public art; and the founding of such civic organizations as the Public Art Fund, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, P.S. 1, the Historic Districts Council, the Park Avenue Armory Conservancy, and the Waterfront Alliance.
Work Culture and Employment Goals
Our staff includes urban designers, planners, policy experts, historians, civic leaders, community builders, and advocates who love New York City. We work collaboratively across departments and with a wide variety of partners from across the boroughs. We hope you or someone you know can join us in our work!
The Municipal Art Society of New York is an equal opportunity employer and seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. MAS is committed to cultivating a staff with diverse backgrounds and life experiences that are representative of the communities in which we live and work.
Salary
$18/hr up to 40hr/week with a minimum requirement of 25hr/week.
How to Apply
Application Deadline: April 24th.
Please send the following as attachments via email to jobs@mas.org:
● Letter of interest
● Resume
● A portfolio comprising 2-3 visual work samples.
Address all correspondence to “Planning Intern Hiring Committee.”
Please do not call or reach out to MAS staff directly.
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