8 New Jobs City Hall Needs Now

City Hall isn't what it once was. Here are eight new positions that your local government should be hiring for this year.

1 minute read

February 2, 2014, 1:00 PM PST

By NicoleFerraro


La City Hall Cycling

davidcstone / Flickr

"The world is changing, and cities are emerging as the clear global leaders when it comes to technology, transportation infrastructure, environmental efforts, and more. Indeed, many are looking to cities to solve massive challenges faced all over the world today.

"To do that, city governments must have the right people employed, and the right skills and focus in house. In the age of big data, and big storms, the onus is on City Hall to fill new and emerging positions that speak to the challenges of the 21st century. What follows are eight jobs we at Future Cities believe are City Hall 'must-haves,' accompanied by examples of where we're already seeing this work in action, as well as salary estimates where applicable."

The report goes on to discuss roles such as Chief Resilience Officer, Director of Bicycles, Data Scientist, and others.

Friday, January 31, 2014 in Future Cities

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

4 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

16 minutes ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

1 hour ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.