Planner Associate - Land Use

The Land Use Administration Division of the Department of Planning & Development Review (PDR), a division that works cross city departments to review land use entitlement applications and implement the comprehensive plan, is hiring for the position of Planner Associate. This is an entry-level planner position. The selected applicant will be an integral part of providing professional planning services, land use planning, preservation planning, zoning administration, and the monitoring, review, and evaluation of land use development proposals and urban design. The selected candidate will be the support staff of the Land Use Administrative Division on projects that will require the coordination of multiple City agencies and disciplines, including the review of site plans. 

As assigned, work may include: reviewing applications, proposals, bids, plans, and reports for land use and zoning ordinance compliance; conducting field investigations; preparing and presenting reports; maintaining databases; coordinating city agency reviews, including determining review criteria; designing and developing comprehensive community and neighborhood development plans; determining project compliance; analyzing effects of plans on land use, redevelopment, and rehabilitation; providing technical assistance, and managing site plan review.

• Exercised: This classification typically does not supervise other employees, but may serve as lead worker, assigning work and monitoring work completion.
• Received: This classification typically reports to a Program and Operations Supervisor or team lead.
• Note: Other reporting relationships may apply.

Typical Percentage of Time (none less than 10%)

1. Assists various commissions through providing technical expertise, presenting applications, advising staff on the preparation of reports, assisting with long-range initiatives, and other administrative tasks. 30%
2. Reviews documents such as tax abatement projects, demolition permits, land use property proposals, applications, site plans, and building proposals. 25%
3. Assists with special projects such as census updates, the City's Master Plan, HUD-funded projects, Cell Tower Environmental Impact reports, GIS-based maps, and visionary small area plans and reports. 10%
4. Communicates with members of the community. 15%
5. Conducts site visits and takes measurements for purposes such as to develop site plans, floor plans, elevations, and 3D renderings. 10%
6. Organizes and conducts meetings. 10%

• Basic knowledge and application of planning and zoning, site plans, commercial and residential building plans, real estate, and development regulations.
• Basic understanding of engineering principals, land use and zoning law, landscape architecture, architecture, and construction methods
• Basic knowledge of zoning, subdivision, and site development ordinances.
• Knowledge of re-zoning and special use permit processes
• General knowledge of Site Plan and Subdivision review processes
• Understanding of phases of a project's lifecycle from pre-design through construction administration
• Graphic design
• General knowledge of urban planning and design; preservation planning principles, laws, and regulations; zoning ordinances and ordinance preparation; master planning; traditional neighborhood development; transportation planning; land title principles and surveying; and engineering principles
• Expertise with some combination of the following computer programs: Microsoft Office Suite; GIS; EnerGov; Legistar; Blue Beam; SharePoint; word processing programs; AutoCAD; SketchUp; ArcGIS; IRender nXt; and Adobe Creative Suite (i.e. - InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop)

• Providing excellent customer service, including dealing with difficult customers
• Being a clear and effective facilitator, including public speaking skills and defending recommendations/positions
• Managing databases
• Composing documents
• Negotiating and balancing the needs of citizens with economic demands, health and human service needs, goals of private corporations, and land use regulations
• Assessing and evaluating a project's conformance with Commission of Architectural Review Guidelines
• Utilizing a large-scale printer/plotter
• Preparing documentation according to state and federal standards
• Photographing sites for clarity and documentation
• Conducting research
• Reading and understanding building plans
• Leading effective meetings
• Conducting site inspections

• Analyze information
• Pay attention to detail
• Learn new programs quickly
• Communicate planning and local government policy issues to a range of audiences
• Interact and work with different groups of people
• Undertake complex projects with multiple deadlines and stakeholders
• Adapt to unique variables (i.e., physical, regulatory, political)

• Bachelor’s degree in city/urban planning, civil or environmental engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, real estate, law, or a related field
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification 

• None required

Salary : $53,174 - $66,944