What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Planner / Principal Planner position at City of Apache Junction?
This recruitment is for (1) one position where the selected candidate will be placed in either a Senior Planner or a Principal Planner position, depending on qualifications and prior experience.
Senior Planner: FSLA Exempt - $73,277 - $106,127 (Anticipated hiring range: $73,277 - $76,986 /annually)
Positions assigned to this class apply professional knowledge and skills to various municipal planning problems and projects; provides information and assistance to developers and the public on planning-related matters. Reviews and processes development permits and zoning cases. Provides support, recommendations and advice to building and code staff, outside agencies, departments, commissions, boards and council. Reports to a more senior level planner.
Principal Planner: FSLA Exempt - $80,788 - $117,006 (Anticipated hiring range: $80,788 - $84,878 /annually)
Positions assigned to this class serve as planning project manager for large scale master planned community developments which may include former State Trust Land. Participates in advanced, highly complex professional planning activities. Apply professional knowledge and skills to various municipal planning problems and projects; provides information and assistance to developers and the public on planning-related matters. Provides support, recommendations and advice to building and code staff, outside agencies, departments, commissions, boards and council. Reports to the Planning Manager.
Graduation from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) with a Bachelor’s degree in urban, environmental or regional planning, geography, design, or a closely related field, and four (4) years paid fulltime or its part time equivalent experience as a professional planner, six (6) months of which was in a lead capacity OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must possess certification from American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or obtain certification within two (2) years of appointment.
Principal Planner:
Graduation from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) with a Bachelor’s degree in urban, environmental or regional planning, geography, design, or a closely related field, and five (5) years paid fulltime or its part time equivalent experience as a professional planner, one (1) year of which was in a senior planning capacity; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must possess certification from American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or obtain certification within two (2) years of appointment.
Pre-employment Requirements
Candidates who are selected for appointment may be fingerprinted, if 18 or older; successfully complete a background investigation, employment verification and may be subject to a drug/alcohol test, medical, polygraph and/or psychological evaluation. Candidates who are appointed will be required to possess a valid driver’s license to operate a vehicle in Arizona or meet the transportation needs of the position.
Physical Demands and Working Environment
Majority of work to be performed in a standard office environment with some inspections to be performed outdoors and in various types of buildings. May require frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, sitting and frequent operation of a personal computer. May be required to perform a full range of motion with lifting and/or carrying items weighing up to 25 pounds. Operation of a vehicle is required.
Senior Planner: FSLA Exempt - $73,277 - $106,127 (Anticipated hiring range: $73,277 - $76,986 /annually)
Positions assigned to this class apply professional knowledge and skills to various municipal planning problems and projects; provides information and assistance to developers and the public on planning-related matters. Reviews and processes development permits and zoning cases. Provides support, recommendations and advice to building and code staff, outside agencies, departments, commissions, boards and council. Reports to a more senior level planner.
Principal Planner: FSLA Exempt - $80,788 - $117,006 (Anticipated hiring range: $80,788 - $84,878 /annually)
Positions assigned to this class serve as planning project manager for large scale master planned community developments which may include former State Trust Land. Participates in advanced, highly complex professional planning activities. Apply professional knowledge and skills to various municipal planning problems and projects; provides information and assistance to developers and the public on planning-related matters. Provides support, recommendations and advice to building and code staff, outside agencies, departments, commissions, boards and council. Reports to the Planning Manager.
The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the city's needs.
Senior Planner:- Respond to inquiries from various agencies regarding City planning and zoning; answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints concerning the City’s planning function.
- Coordinate and review various types of zoning cases including but not limited to re-zonings, text amendments, General Plan amendments, sub-divisions, conditional use permits, annexations, administrative use permits, preliminary reviews, land-splits, variances, zoning interpretations and zoning letters. Make recommendations regarding the zoning cases.
- Administer, review plans and provide planning division approval/denial for small and large scale residential, commercial and industrial development proposals.
- Prepares ordinance provisions for consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
- Review commercial, industrial and residential development plans for compliance with applicable codes and ordinances; process permit applications, and coordinate City planning activities with outside departments and agencies.
- Attend meetings with various departments, Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council and outside agencies.
- Advise building and code staff on matters such as land use, landscaping, zoning interpretations and violations.
- Serve as project lead for the general plan and other long-range plans and studies.
- Assist in directing/coaching planners and interns.
- Support the City’s policies, goals and objectives and work with management and other staff to ethically achieve such goals and objectives; ensure compliance with safety procedures.
- Manages, prepares and evaluates complex planning projects.
- Provides direction and support to city departments, the development community and the general public regarding development requirements and land use projects.
- Coordinates the activities of division staff and consultants for workflow and project related work assignments.
- Represents the city at various community meetings.
- Oversees staffing to support the overall development of Master Planned Communities, including research, report writing, and presentations related to large scale developments, residential development codes and socioeconomic trends.
- Reviews, develops and updates the city’s Comprehensive Community Plan, Development Code and Municipal Code to ensure updates meet city goals and follow state and federal regulations.
- Coordinates and promotes department’s work with other city divisions, local, regional and state planning agencies and organizations by providing technical assistance, knowledge of projects and procedures, communicating goals and objectives and working to resolve issues.
- Conducts internal and external customer service providing feedback on applications and resolving issues.
- Prepares budget documentation and monitors expenditure.
- May supervise division staff and conduct evaluations of performance.
- Support the city’s policies, goals and objectives and work with management and other staff to ethically achieve such goals and objectives; ensure compliance with safety procedures.
Graduation from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) with a Bachelor’s degree in urban, environmental or regional planning, geography, design, or a closely related field, and four (4) years paid fulltime or its part time equivalent experience as a professional planner, six (6) months of which was in a lead capacity OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must possess certification from American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or obtain certification within two (2) years of appointment.
Principal Planner:
Graduation from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) with a Bachelor’s degree in urban, environmental or regional planning, geography, design, or a closely related field, and five (5) years paid fulltime or its part time equivalent experience as a professional planner, one (1) year of which was in a senior planning capacity; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must possess certification from American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or obtain certification within two (2) years of appointment.
Knowledge
- City and department procedures, policies and guidelines; city code; building and land development codes and ordinances; Arizona Revised Statutes.
- Thorough knowledge of urban planning and development and local government policies and procedures.
- Advanced management principles and techniques, mediation methods and techniques; various research databases and information sources.
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
- Budgeting procedures and techniques.
- Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications or database management.
- Assessing, prioritizing and completing multiple tasks and demands simultaneously.
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with coworkers and other individuals in contact during the course of work; communicating clearly and concisely; public speaking and presenting.
- Effectively plan, organize, train, develop and direct the activities of professional and technical staff.
- Exercising professional telephone etiquette and in-person communications with distressed citizens; demonstrating good judgment and making sound decisions in stressful situations.
- Applying professional planning principles, theories and techniques.
- Must be innovative and detail oriented.
- Strong analytical skills to interpret research data for reports and apply mathematic techniques.
Pre-employment Requirements
Candidates who are selected for appointment may be fingerprinted, if 18 or older; successfully complete a background investigation, employment verification and may be subject to a drug/alcohol test, medical, polygraph and/or psychological evaluation. Candidates who are appointed will be required to possess a valid driver’s license to operate a vehicle in Arizona or meet the transportation needs of the position.
Physical Demands and Working Environment
Majority of work to be performed in a standard office environment with some inspections to be performed outdoors and in various types of buildings. May require frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, sitting and frequent operation of a personal computer. May be required to perform a full range of motion with lifting and/or carrying items weighing up to 25 pounds. Operation of a vehicle is required.
Salary : $73,277 - $117,006
