Planner 1

PLANNER I

The Town of Taos is seeking qualified applicants for the following full-time position which includes an excellent benefit package; 100% major medical premium paid for employee with a choice of State of New Mexico Blue Cross Blue Shield, HMO & PPO, Presbyterian, State of New Mexico Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) Retirement, personal leave and holiday pay, employee development and training programs and much more!

VA#25-26-13

Job Title: Planner I

Planning Department

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Hourly: $19.46

Opening Date: September 5, 2025

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of entry level, routine administrative and complex clerical duties as needed to expedite the administrative, technical or clerical functions of the planning department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Planning Director. May receive functional supervision from the Deputy Planning Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Planning & Zoning: provides first point of contact to the general public regarding administrative, planning, land use or commission related issues; provides written interpretations of various codes and ordinances and related basic information; may schedule appointments with professional staff to resolve complex issues; distributes commission minutes for review and approval; distributes copies of approved minutes to news media, petitioners, commissioners and town staff as required; transcribes staff reports.

Receives and accepts site plans for new residential and commercial developments; accepts petitions for rezoning, annexations, street or easement vacates and conditional uses; assesses fees according to established requirements; maintains and distributes log of requests; prepares notices for delivery to adjacent property owners to apprise of proposed or pending actions; sets up new files for application review and maintains ledge checklist to follow applications through review process.

Coordinates inter-departmental reviews; assists to coordinate review functions with public works, fire, police and related departments; monitors departmental involvement to expedite the review process; enters data into application tracking system; may generate status reports upon request.

Updates municipal code books to reflect changes in zoning ordinances and regulations.

Building: Performs as permit technician for database management system; coordinates with GIS program to set up permit-application files; receives applications for various types of building permits; may determine completeness of applications; verifies and collects appropriate fees; issues permits; submits invoices to Town Treasurer.

Performs initial plan checking; determines compliance with municipal codes, zoning districts and zoning requirements; checks site plans and plot plans; orients permit recipient to various documents, regulations, inspection schedules and related processes and procedures to be encountered throughout construction; apprises recipient of roles and responsibilities of various divisions.

Special Projects/Business Licensing: Responds to customer “requests to inspect Public Records” or to receive additional information regarding certified letters received regarding public hearing notices; follows established policies and procedures and government records access regulations to appropriately comply with requests.

Maintains and updates business licensing transactions; registers new businesses, processes annual renewals; prepares renewal and delinquent notices; monitors legal timelines and initiates legal notices as needed; issues certifications of licensing; assists in the compliance monitoring for "in-home" businesses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience: Graduation from high school; plus, six months (6 mo.) of specialized training in general office practices and procedures, PC operation and various software applications; AND One (1) year of responsible experience related to above duties; OR An equivalent combination of education or experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Working knowledge of modern office practices and procedures; grammar, spelling and punctuation; modern filing systems related to alphabetical and numeric files; personal computer operations and various program applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, etc.; telephone etiquette, various office machines, i.e., computer, ten key, copy machine, printer, laminator, etc. Some knowledge of administrative procedures; legal processes associated with the maintenance of public records and documents; current codes, standards, safety practices and principles required to meet building standards; planning and zoning codes; interpersonal communication skills, bookkeeping and basic accounting.

Skill in taking and transcribing dictation from hand written notes or from recording equipment; computer keyboard operations.

Ability to exercise initiative, independent judgment and to act resourcefully under varying conditions; interface with the public; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, elected officials and other agencies of the public; perform general bookkeeping; establish and maintain comprehensive records and files.

Special Qualifications:

Must be able to type and have computer skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Incumbent of the position performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require variety of physical activities, not generally involving muscular strain, such as walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing and seeing. Common eye, hand, finger, leg and foot dexterity exist. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and some guided problem solving.

APPLICATION STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS- If you feel you meet the minimum qualifications for the position and you have the necessary drive and ambition to be part of the Planning Department for the Town of Taos, please submit a complete Town of Taos employment application to: Town of Taos Human Resources Department, 400 Camino de la Placita, Taos, NM 87571 or via e-mail: employment@taosnm.gov. Your application must be complete, clear, and include the correct job title and announcement number. Applications and any attachments become the official property of the Town of Taos and cannot be returned or reused after being submitted. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 P.M. on the closing date listed above.

Drug Free Workplace

EEO/ADA Compliance