City Planner | What I do & how much I make | Part 1 | Khan Academy

Summary

Melissa Herlitz, a 29-year-old city planner for the New York City Department of City Planning, discusses her work in urban planning, particularly in coastal neighborhoods vulnerable to sea level rise. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement in creating successful city plans and shares her passion for learning from residents. Although the job involves challenges like slow bureaucracy and limited salary growth, she values the meaningful work and collaboration. Despite bureaucratic setbacks and the slow pace of policy changes, Melissa finds fulfillment in her contributions to shaping New York's urban landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 Melissa Herlitz is a 29-year-old city planner working for the New York City Department of City Planning, earning $62,000 annually.
• 😀 The Department of City Planning works on a zoning resolution, a comprehensive document that defines building usage and placement across the city.
• 😀 Melissa's job involves collaborating with other city agencies and the public to determine the best use of buildings in specific neighborhoods.
• 😀 She initially worked on a project in southern Queens, focusing on vulnerable neighborhoods at risk of sea level rise and tidal flooding.
• 😀 Melissa values working with the public, which she learned to appreciate during college, emphasizing community engagement in successful city planning.
• 😀 She believes city planners must listen to local residents' experiences, especially those in coastal neighborhoods who observe flooding more frequently.
• 😀 While city planners rely on data and maps, local stories from the public play a crucial role in shaping decisions.
• 😀 The most challenging aspect of her job is the high demand for communication and feedback from the public, which can be exhausting.
• 😀 Bureaucracy and slow decision-making can be frustrating, especially when new political leadership alters project priorities or delays initiatives.
• 😀 Despite the potential for slow progress and bureaucratic setbacks, Melissa is passionate about her work and values the meaningful impact of city planning.
• 😀 Salary increases in the New York City Department of City Planning are rare, and many employees work there due to their love for the job rather than financial incentives.

Q & A

What is Melissa Herlitz's role in the New York City Department of City Planning?

Melissa Herlitz works as a city planner in the New York City Department of City Planning. Her role involves helping to write and implement the zoning resolution, which dictates what can be built where in the city. She collaborates with other city agencies and works with the public to determine the best use of buildings in different neighborhoods.

How does Melissa contribute to zoning projects, especially in vulnerable areas like southern Queens?

Melissa's work in southern Queens, including neighborhoods like Old Howard Beach, Hamilton Beach, and Broad Channel, involves addressing issues related to sea level rise and tidal flooding. Her team develops plans for these areas to ensure resilience against future flooding, working closely with the public and various stakeholders.

What does Melissa love most about her job?

Melissa loves working with the public, a passion she discovered during college. She believes successful city planning is deeply connected to engaging with the community and learning from their lived experiences. She values listening to residents and using their input to inform planning decisions.

What is the most difficult part of Melissa's job?

The most difficult part of Melissa's job is the slow pace of bureaucracy. While she acknowledges that government processes can be slow for a reason, she finds it frustrating when projects are delayed due to changing political priorities, like when a new mayor comes in and shifts focus.

How does Melissa view the relationship between city planners and the communities they serve?

Melissa emphasizes that successful city planning requires collaboration and input from the community. She believes that even though city planners are experts in their field, they do not know everything about a neighborhood, and community input is crucial to making informed decisions.

What does Melissa find most rewarding about interacting with residents of coastal neighborhoods?

Melissa finds it rewarding to hear firsthand from residents of coastal neighborhoods who have witnessed changes over time, such as more frequent flooding. Their personal stories add depth and credibility to the data she works with, making it more impactful in shaping planning decisions.

What does Melissa say about working in government and the salary expectations in her field?

Melissa notes that while she didn't initially focus on salary when pursuing a career in city planning, the income is fair for a government job. She acknowledges that raises can be difficult to obtain, and that many people at the Department of City Planning work there for the love of the work rather than financial rewards.

What challenges does Melissa face in terms of career progression at the NYC Department of City Planning?

Melissa explains that career progression in her department can be slow due to factors like grant funding and the bureaucratic structure of government. She mentions that many employees remain in positions like 'city planner one' for extended periods, and that promotions may require working on projects outside her preferred focus on resilience.

How does Melissa feel about the role of bureaucracy in government decision-making?

While Melissa acknowledges that government bureaucracy can be frustrating at times, she believes that the slow pace of decision-making can be beneficial in ensuring that decisions are well-considered. However, she does find it challenging when important projects are delayed or sidelined due to shifts in political priorities.

What is the potential career progression for someone in Melissa's position?

Career progression for someone in Melissa's position typically involves moving from a 'city planner one' to 'city planner four,' and then potentially transitioning into a managerial or administrative role. However, Melissa is more focused on her work in city planning rather than seeking a managerial position.