PLANNING - Senior Planner - Long Range

General Job Description

The Senior Planner will be immersed in and responsible for a variety of long-range planning activities within the department, including, but not limited to, maintenance and updates to the Comprehensive Plan, development of area, community, neighborhood and other planning documents and studies, assistance with capital planning, drafting of regulatory changes to support planning efforts, preparation of technical memos and presentations, researching specific planning issues and developing reports, and managing special projects. The Senior Planner will coordinate and often facilitate meetings with various County staff and departments, community partners, special interest groups, and citizens. This position will also work with various boards and commissions as needed. Candidates should be able to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team and have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Duties for this Position

• Performs advanced professional work related to variety of planning assignments
• Manages complex planning studies, development applications
• Reviews and processes complex projects related to Comprehensive Plan
• Coordinate all planning activities, capital planning and Transportation Plans
• Manage and prepare Planning & Zoning (P&Z) staff reports
• Presents reports and other findings to staff, planning and zoning boards
• Attends one or more evening and weekend meetings as needed
• Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as land use, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development
• Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection
• Knowledge of effective writing techniques
• Knowledge of computer programs and applications, which may include GIS programs and applications.
• Candidates should have ArcGIS and/or Adobe Creative Suite experience or be willing to learn these skill sets within one year of employment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects
• Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating relationships with 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 with community workshops
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously

Position Minimum Requirements

• Qualified candidates must possess a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Architecture, Engineering, Environmental Science, or other related field with a minimum of one to two years of experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Candidates should have ArcGIS and/or Adobe Creative Suite experience or be willing to learn these skill sets within one year of employment.
• Candidates must be willing to furnish writing and mapping samples at time of interview.
• Candidates must be able to pass required pre-employment physical and background check.