SENIOR COUNTY PLANNER

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Planner plays a critical role in public health, safety, and welfare of the County through administration of the Planning and Development Regulations of Benton County. The Senior County Planner’s primary role is to review project proposals for subdivisions, commercial/industrial site plan reviews, and administrative applications for compliance with County Ordinance.

This position requires a high amount of public contact, as well as coordination with many other departments and agencies. Critical thinking skills, problem solving ability, and excellent communication skills are of upmost importance for this position.  Organizational skills, good knowledge of computer programs, and analysis of data is required.  

Accuracy in work is of upmost importance. Knowledge of state and federal laws regarding planning is required, specifically familiarity of the Floodplain Management regulations as set forth by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the MS4 Storm Water regulations. The Senior Planner requires advanced professional planning experience of high complexity and variety.  The Senior Planner must exercise independence and judgment, receiving minimal supervision from the Planning Director. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receives administrative direction from the Planning Director.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Reviews and evaluates proposed development applications including plats, permits, site plans, telecommunication towers, and variance requests to the County for presentation to the Planning Board including the Technical Advisory Committee and the Planning Board.
2. Assist and coordinate with engineers, surveyors, architects, developers, real estate agencies, attorneys, abstract offices, land owners and the general public in understanding and complying with the County regulations and department policies.
3. Perform supervisory responsibilities which may including interviewing and training potential employees; planning, assigning, directing work to employees; addressing complaints and resolving conflicts in accordance with County policy. 
4. Conduct research to answer public inquiries and analyze development situations.
5. Writes and presents formal and technical reports, working papers, and correspondence for consideration by the Planning Board.
6. Interpret and analyze technical and statistical information.
7. Analyze planning data and make appropriate determinations. Read and comprehend codes, specifications, legal descriptions and boundary maps of real property, development plans, and plats.
8. Use ArcGIS to analyze and manipulate data, and produce effective map representations and analyses.
9. Read, understand and interpret surveys, site plans and specifications.
10. Perform a high degree of analytical and interpretive thinking.
11. Review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions.
12. Accurately and timely route detailed information to the Director, the Technical Advisory Committee Planning Board, and other officials.
13. Work effectively with surveyors, engineers, contractors, and the general public.
14. Complete site visits to ensure projects have no discrepancies from the plans submitted to the actual site.
15. Prepare technical and analytical reports and PowerPoint presentations.
16. Establish and maintain systems needed for control of work quality and quantity.
17. Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
18. Perform other duties as required

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge of:

Northwest Arkansas / Benton County growth patterns and trends.

• Philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning and community development.
• Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as site design, economic development, land use, regional planning, strategic planning, or conservation development.
• Knowledge and experience in construction, land development, and best management practices. 
• Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection.
• Computer hardware and software programs, including Microsoft Office, Internet applications, and GIS.
• Effective writing techniques.
• Must have comprehensive knowledge of Planning Board rules, regulations and procedures.
• Knowledge of NFIP floodplain management and MS4 Storm Water Pollution Prevention, Grading, and Erosion control regulations.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects
• Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating relationships with elected/appointed officials or other decision-makers
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well- defined planning problems
• Group facilitation skills for use in community meetings or workshops
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously
• Ability to provide effective supervision and staff management
• Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines
• Interpret and analyze technical and statistical information.
• Must demonstrate office management skills, office machine skills to include computer programs and technical software 

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: 

Education: A Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, public policy, or related area of study.    

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a planning office or related field.  The applicant must have general knowledge of principles and practices of Community and Regional Planning. 

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Arkansas State Driver's License.  

LANGUAGE / COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Must possess excellent interpersonal skills in order to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, contractors, developers, realtors, surveyors, engineers, title companies, general public, Planning Board members, Quorum Court members, and other officials. Must be able to learn, explain, and provide correct information about Current Planning Practices, Subdivisions, Variances, Regulations, Lot Splits, Site Plan Reviews, Mapping Information, Floodplain Information, and Land Use Information within six months of hire.

The Senior Planner must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills when dealing with the public and must be able to effectively communicate with others orally and in writing, often under complex conditions that require sound judgment.

Must possess public presentation skills to provide presentations to staff, the public, various boards and committees, the Planning Board in a clear, effective manner.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The following list contains the essential function required of a person filling the Senior Planner position.  This description is intended to describe the kinds of task and level of difficulty being performed by the person assigned to this classification: 

• Must be able to operate two-wheel and four wheel drive County vehicle in both day/night time conditions and all weather and road conditions
• Must be able and willing to work long hours, weekends, late nights and holidays when necessary.
• Must be able to squat, bend over at the waist, and perform other physical movements necessary to traverse property, in wooded, grassy areas, non-paved roads, and undeveloped lands.
• Travel by foot across all types of terrain found in Benton County to access areas under construction in all outside weather conditions.
• Must be willing and able to attend regularly held meetings outside of normal office hours.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  

The employee must be able to perform routine tasks normally associated with an office setting. The noise level is moderate and the lifting requirements are minimal.