Lead the Region Forward — Director of Environmental Planning
The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is seeking a visionary, people-centered executive to serve as Director, Environmental Planning. This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the region’s most influential environmental programs, shaping air and water quality planning and sustainability outcomes for communities across Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.
As the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), NOACA integrates transportation, environmental, and economic development planning to deliver impactful, data-driven solutions. The Director, Environmental Planning plays a critical role in advancing that mission.
NOACA’S VISION:
We STRENGTHEN regional cohesion
We PRESERVE existing infrastructure
We BUILD a sustainable, resilient region
We SUPPORT economic development
We ENHANCE quality of life in Northeast Ohio
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Director, Environmental Planning is an executive leadership role reporting directly to the Executive Director & CEO. This position provides strategic direction, operational leadership, and professional stewardship over NOACA’s environmental planning portfolio which includes air and water quality planning, as well as trend reporting, forecast verification, and brownfield remediation.
The incumbent will provide strategic leadership to a highly skilled team advancing air quality and water quality planning, climate resilience, sustainability initiatives, and environmental stewardship consistent with federal requirements, while positioning Northeast Ohio as a leader in environmental innovation.
WHAT YOU’LL LEAD:
The Director is responsible for setting and delivering a shared vision, advancing innovation, and ensuring excellence across all environmental planning functions, including:
• Air quality planning and air quality conformity and emissions analysis
• Wastewater management and water quality planning
• Lead the management of the Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund
• Climate pollution and greenhouse gas reduction strategies
• Environmental components of the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)
• Sustainability and resilience initiatives
• Alternative fuels and clean energy planning
• NEPA coordination and environmental review support
• Data analysis, modeling, and environmental performance measures
• Regional environmental policy development and implementation
• Advance initiatives through proactive stakeholder engagement to support long-term environmental outcomes
The incumbent will also serve as NOACA’s senior environmental representative to regional and federal partners, including Ohio EPA, USEPA, FHWA, FTA, ODOT, and local governments, while engaging with NOACA’s Board of Trustees, committees, and advisory councils.
LEADERSHIP EXPECTATION: SERVANT LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY
*At NOACA, leadership is grounded in service, trust, and accountability. The Director, Environmental Planning is expected to model, teach, and institutionalize NOACA’s Servant Leadership Accountability approach by:
• Leading with humility, empathy, and purpose
• Creating a culture of psychological safety, collaboration, and excellence
• Developing, mentoring, and preparing staff for growth and succession
• Communicating clearly, consistently, and productively
• Holding self and others accountable for results and behavior
• Building trust internally and externally through transparency and reliability
*This role is as much about growing people and culture as it is about delivering exceptional environmental outcomes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction to Environmental Planning staff
• Advance innovative environmental and sustainability strategies across the region
• Ensure compliance with federal and state environmental regulations
• Deliver high-quality plans, analyses, and technical outputs
• Strengthen cross-divisional collaboration within NOACA
• Represent NOACA at regional, state, and national levels
• Enhance data systems, modeling tools, and performance tracking
• Champion staff development, training, and succession planning
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required and Preferred Background:
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Planning, or related field
• Advanced degree strongly preferred
• Professional certifications (e.g., AICP) preferred
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in environmental planning, air quality, water quality, sustainability, or related fields
• Strong knowledge of Clean Air Act requirements and transportation-environment linkages
• Knowledge and experience related to the implementation of federal clean air grant programs such as Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ)
• Experience with federal planning processes and regulatory compliance
Leadership & Management Experience:
• 10+ years of experience leading and developing professional staff
• Demonstrated success building strong, high-performing teams, and experience with and commitment to Servant Leadership and accountability-based management
• Proven ability to communicate complex environmental concepts to diverse audiences
WHY JOIN NOACA
At NOACA, you will find:
• A mission-driven organization with regional impact
• A collaborative leadership team and engaged policy boards
• Talented professionals committed to public service
• A culture that values innovation, wellbeing, and continuous improvement
• The opportunity to shape the region’s environmental future
WORK ENVIRONMENT & BENEFITS
• Executive-level compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Participation in Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS)
• Hybrid work environment supporting flexibility and balance
• Commitment to professional growth and employee wellbeing
If you are an environmental leader who believes that strong communities are built through sustainability, collaboration, and trust, we invite you to apply.
Lead with purpose. Build resilience. Shape the region’s environmental future.
