Senior Planner

This is the advanced level in the professional planning series. Incumbents perform highly specialized and complex planning functions and assist's the Planning and Zoning Manager lead direction.  The work may include either advanced or current planning projects and requires considerable technical knowledge and independent judgment.  
 The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Communicates with customers, clients, architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers and the general public.  
• Compiles information and makes recommendations on special studies and prepares planning reports. 
• Prepares a variety of materials for use in Planning and Zoning Commission and/or City Council meetings;
• Organizes long term and complex assignments with responsibility for project development, establishing priorities, and time lines for overall completion.
• Assists with setting up for hearings and commission meetings.
• Reviews and monitors site plans, subdivision platting, design review and development applications for compliance with appropriate regulations, and prepare reports of recommendations.
• Collaborates with developers and stakeholders to reach agreement on acceptable design standards.
• Participates or manages special projects as needed/assigned.
• Creates and submits legal and hearing notices to local newspapers, post-meeting signs on subject properties, and distribute mailers within required time frames.
• Performs site inspections to ensure compliance with applicable development codes.
• Liaison with outside organization agencies as directed.
• Researches and prepares zoning code ordinances and general plan amendment studies for review.
• Participates in planning, organizing and coordinating aspects of the division function, including program planning, budgeting, setting priorities and scheduling projects;
• Insures the accuracy, completeness and timely submittal of reports and analysis prepared by staff planners to Planning and Zoning Commission and various boards.
• Assists in selecting, training, supervising and evaluating the work of journey level professional planners and other support personnel, as directed.
•  Act as secretary to Planning and Zoning Commission, as directed.
• Keeps informed of current trends in planning, including legislation, court ruling and new techniques, undertakes studies and prepares reports and recommendations on anticipated needs and programs;
• Meets with project representatives, professionals, citizens and organizations to resolve specific technical problems related to the division's projects;
• Advises Planning and Zoning Manager on issues regarding land use policy, zoning transportation and other community issues;
• Provides assistance to the Planning and Zoning Manager.
• Other duties as assigned by the Planning and Zoning Manager.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four plus years of technical planning experience desired. Prior government, municipal or non-profit environment experience.

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job, may be substituted for evaluation at the discretion of the Planning and Zoning Manager.Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of urban planning.
• Principles of development plan review and approval and zoning enforcement.
• Methods and techniques of planning, zoning and subdivision design.
• Current literature, information sources and research techniques in the field of urban planning.
• Technology pertinent to the planning function.
• Applicable Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations governing zoning, land use, and environmental protection.
• Laws underlying general plans, zoning and land divisions.
• Principles and practice of program development and administration.
• Ensures cross-discipline communication with Building, Engineering, Transportation or other applicable divisions and departments.  

Ability to:

• Participate in the preparation of zoning and land use regulations and ordinance revisions.
• Review a variety of planning permits and development plans for conformance with applicable codes and ordinances.
• Perform site inspections to ensure compliance with codes.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Complete multiple tasks assigned within a given timeframe. 
• Use graphic information such as blueprints, layouts, base maps, or other visual aids
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material such as census data, surveys, previously done studies, or government document reports
• Learn laws underlying general plans, zoning and land divisions.
• Learn about current and trending practices in the field of urban planning
• Learn to analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports.
• Identify, coordinate and resolve a wide variety of interests in the development of land use policy.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State local policies, laws and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Participate in the management of a comprehensive planning program.
• Prepare and administer program budgets.
• Coach and train lower level staff as assigned by Planning and Zoning Manager, as directed.
• Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives and procedures.

Salary : $74,443 - $113,173