What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planner I or II position at City of Casper, WY?
Class Summary
Are you passionate about shaping the future of your community?
Every planning decision helps define the character of a community for generations to come. At the City of Casper, you'll work on meaningful projects that balance responsible growth, economic development, and quality of life while helping create a community residents are proud to call home.
The City of Casper is seeking an engaged, collaborative planner to join our Planning Division. Whether you're beginning your planning career or bringing extensive municipal planning experience, you'll have the opportunity to influence the growth and development of one of Wyoming's most vibrant communities.
As a Planner, you'll work on a wide variety of projects involving land use, development review, zoning, floodplain management, GIS mapping, and long-range planning initiatives. You'll collaborate with developers, citizens, elected officials, and City departments to help ensure responsible, sustainable growth throughout Casper.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate enjoys solving complex problems, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and helping guide thoughtful community growth. Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Knowledge of planning principles, land use regulations, and development review processes
- Experience researching, analyzing, and interpreting technical information
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with or the ability to learn GIS mapping and spatial analysis
- Strong customer service skills and the ability to build productive working relationships
- Sound judgment, professionalism, and a commitment to public service
Amazing Benefits
- Wyoming Retirement System Public Pension Plan
- CIGNA State of Wyoming Benefits, and much more
- Paid Time Off, 80-hours available upon start date (720 hours max accrual)
If you're ready to make a lasting impact through thoughtful planning and public service, we'd love to hear from you.
Incumbent is responsible for preparing planning reports and recommendations; preparing legal agreements, ordinances, and resolutions; coordinating the review of development plans with other departments and outside agencies; analyzing data; reviewing floodplain, zoning, subdivision, and building applications; and creating GIS maps.
REPORTING STRUCTURE:Receives general guidance from the City Planner or higher-level management.
Typical Class Essential Duties
2.Assists in preparing legal agreements, Municipal Code amendments, ordinances, and resolutions for review and approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
3.Provides information and technical advice to the public, developers, and other City staff regarding property zoning ordinances and related legal issues.
4.Coordinates the review of development plans with other departments and outside agencies; compiles information, facilitates discussions, and communicates decisions to developers.
5.Reviews floodplain, zoning, subdivision, site plan, exception/variance, conditional use, vacation and building applications for compliance with City ordinances.
6.Manages multiple development review projects in various stages of review and approval; tracks timelines, coordinates required actions, monitors progress, and communicates project status and next steps to applicants, departments, and outside agencies.
7.Prepares official correspondence, documentation and reports as assigned; serves as staff representation for a variety of boards, commissions, and committees.
8.Creates maps, charts, and tables from zoning and GIS data to be presented at public hearings.
9.Represents the City of Casper by responding to the public, citizens, its employees, and others in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner while continuously maintaining a positive customer service demeanor.
10.Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.
Knowledge (position requirements at entry):
Knowledge of:
- Basic planning principles and practices.
- Research methods and techniques.
- Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
- Computers and related software applications.
- Conflict resolution and consensus building.
- Basic understanding of site design principles and development review processes.
- GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to analyze land use data and create maps.
Abilities (position requirements at entry):
Ability to:
- Attend public meetings outside of normal working hours.
- Stay abreast of current trends in the planning profession and maintain awareness of new developments in the field of planning and development.
- Learn laws underlying general plans, zoning, and land divisions.
- Compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports.
- Maintain a neat and professional appearance.
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Follow written and verbal instructions.
- Prepare clear and concise reports.
- Learn to apply federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Routinely demonstrate the City of Casper core values.
- Follow all City safety rules and procedures and immediately respond to/investigate observations or employee reports of accidents/incidents or unsafe conditions.
Skills (position requirements at entry):
Skill in:
- Operating in a courteous, knowledgeable, and tactful manner with customers, staff, and the general public.
- Operating modern office equipment, including computer software, and operating systems/applications.
- Compiling and analyzing data.
- Managing multiple projects with aggressive deadlines.
- Preparing a variety of business documents.
- Applying applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
- Oral and written communication sufficient to exchange or convey information and to provide and receive work direction.
Training, Experience & Certifications
Planner I:
- High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) required.
- Bachelor’s degree in planning, urban planning, land use planning, or a closely related field preferred.
- Minimum of one (1) year of increasingly responsible experience in municipal planning or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed below.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Wyoming driver’s license preferred.
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
- High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) required.
- Bachelor’s degree in City Planning, Land Use Planning, or a closely related field preferred.
- Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience that includes complex development review, project management, policy analysis, or long-range planning responsibilities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed below.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Wyoming driver’s license preferred.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain professional certification in a Community Development related field such as an AICP preferred.
Supplemental Information & Physical Requirements
City of Casper employees in data creation and modification, security sensitive or safety and protective positions are subject to pre-employment drug testing. Some employees may be subject to random drug testing if their responsibilities include:
- Emergency response/rescue
- Handling or working with hazardous materials, including chemicals as well as solid and liquid waste
- Operating or maintaining water and wastewater systems
- Writing or modifying code, maintaining, or modifying City data systems including work on networks, servers, and communication systems
- CDL operations and driving
- Operating power-driven machinery or equipment
- Creating or modifying health, financial, security and/or risk documents or assessments
- Working with or directing minors
Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
Physical and Environmental Conditions:
City of Casper employees in data creation and modification, security sensitive or safety and protective positions are subject to pre-employment drug testing. Some employees may be subject to random drug testing if their responsibilities include:
- Emergency response/rescue
- Handling or working with hazardous materials, including chemicals as well as solid and liquid waste
- Operating or maintaining water and wastewater systems
- Writing or modifying code, maintaining, or modifying City data systems including work on networks, servers, and communication systems
- CDL operations and driving
- Operating power-driven machinery or equipment
- Creating or modifying health, financial, security and/or risk documents or assessments
- Working with or directing minors
Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
Working at the City of Casper
The City of Casper offers a variety of benefits to qualifying full-time employees. For more information on any of our benefits, please call Human Resources at (307) 235-8344.
For full-time positions:
Benefit Programs: Look at these amazing benefits:
- State of Wyoming - CIGNA Health
- Delta Dental
- VSP Vision
- Medical Reimbursement Account, Flexible Spending
- MASA Supplementary Ambulance Care
- Voya Supplementary Hospital, Accident, and Critical Illness Plans
- Short-term and Long-term Disability Options
- Life Insurance
- 457/IRA Retirement Options
- Employees Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Free Counseling Services
- Pet Insurance
- Legal Shield/ID Shield
- Eleven (11) Paid Holidays Annually
- Wyoming Retirement System - Retirement Income for life. Employer match exceeds employee contribution.
- Public Employee Pension Plan:
- Employer 9.37% Employee 9.25%
- Law Enforcement Pension Plan
- Employer 16.30% Employee 4.5%
- Paid Fire B Pension Plan
- Employer 17.80% Employee 9.45%
- Public Employee Pension Plan:
- Accruals
- General Employees - 7.69 bi-weekly hourly accrual (through year 4, then increases incrementally)
- Sworn Police Employees - 9.23 bi-weekly hourly accrual (through year 4, then increases incrementally)
Fitness incentive time off program: Opportunity to earn additional paid time off by participating in the Police Department fitness testing program.
Tuition Reimbursement: Reimbursement % is based on grade level received. Includes books and some fees.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): The City of Casper may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Visit https://studentaid.gov/pslf/ to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.
CredibleMind: Mental health and wellness resources at healthynatrona.crediblemind.com. This robust platform offers:
Assessment Tools
- 21 different mental health assessments to help you understand your wellness needs
Extensive Resource Library
- Over 100 mental health and well-being topics
- Articles, podcasts, insights, tips, facts, videos, apps, books, and current news
- Interactive Learning Lab with wellness series and practices
- Community resources and online courses
Employee Assistance Program: Free counseling available to employees and their immediate family members.
Ergonomic Assessments: Review of your workstation and recommendations made by our Risk Management team to ensure a safe and comfortable work environment.
Additional Benefits and Annual Fun Events:
Service Awards Luncheon - To recognize and celebrate years of service, employees who reach a 5-year milestone with the City are invited to an annual luncheon. This event includes catered food, awards, and great door prizes.
Annual Employee Golf Tournament- Swing into Fun: Join us for our annual employee golf tournament. This event is typically in late Summer at our Municipal Golf Course and offers food and door prizes. Open to current employees, retirees, and family members.
Employee Holiday Breakfast– Indulge in a delicious hearty breakfast and enjoy the company of the great employees at the City of Casper. We invite all employees to kick off the holiday season with our Annual Holiday Breakfast.
Chili Skate Night– Lace up your skates! Get ready to glide and slide at our Employee Chili Skate Night at the Casper Ice Arena. Employees and their families are invited to join us for an evening of icy fun and delicious chili.
Wellness Programs – Drawings for cash prizes for participants. Free access to the Casper Recreation Center for qualifying employees.
Leadership and Employee Development – We believe in nurturing talent, empowering individuals, and cultivating a culture of growth and success. Human Resources provides employee training and mentoring opportunities to foster leadership and employee development within our organization.
Salary : $73,770 - $103,279