Career Opportunity

The city of Las Vegas invites applications for Planner I (X).  This position performs professional level work in the field of planning; and provides information and assistance to city officials, city staff, developers, the business community and the public on planning, zoning, housing, annexations and development related matters.

Distinguishing Characteristics
 
Planner I – This is the entry level class in the Planner series. This class is distinguished from the Planner II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. This class may be used as a training class, wherein employees may need only limited or no directly related work experience or the class may contain positions wherein employees perform routine tasks on a permanent basis, and therefore remain at an entry level.
 
Planner II - This is the full journey level class within the Planner series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Planner I by the performance of the full range of duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.
 
Supervision Received and Exercised
 
Receives general supervision from higher level supervisory or management staff.
 
May receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Planner.
EXAMINATION PROCESS:
A civil service examination will be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Rules of the city of Las Vegas. The supplemental questions are the examination. Falsification of information may result in disqualification from a recruitment or removal from a city position. Additional information will not be accepted after the closing date. The supplemental questions are weighted 100% for placement on an eligible list, and must be worked on individually by the applicant only. The supplemental questions of all qualified applicants will be reviewed for placement on an eligible list.
ELIGIBLE LIST: You must score 70% or higher on the examination to be placed on the eligible list.
SELECTION PROCESS: Final candidate selection will include list placement and may include hiring interview (if applicable). Any individual offered employment will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test, complete background check, and may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform the physical requirements of the job. Some positions may require preliminary background checks.Essential Functions:

1. Analyzes and compiles technical, statistical, and demographical information; makes recommendations; prepares and presents reports, maps and other findings at meetings and public hearings.
2. Prepare staff reports and maps for the Planning Commission, City Council and various committees and advisory boards as directed; assists in the preparation of public information notices.
3. Responds to inquiries in a courteous manner; handles or assists with more difficult inquires; conducts research; provides information and explains regulations within the area of assignment; investigates complaints concerning the city's planning function and recommends corrective action.
4. Participates in establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with community leaders, elected officials, staff of other departments and other local agencies; assists staff with being sensitive to and maintaining such relationships; assists staff to handle sensitive situations.
5. Drafts ordinances or plan amendments.
6. Provides technical assistance to other city staff.
7. Oversees the processing of annexation petitions.
8. Coordinates and conducts higher level and more complex pre-application meetings; attends meetings as assigned. Prepares documentation for meetings.
9. Researches and writes reports, including maps and graphs, for special area plans and other projects; makes presentations at meetings and public hearings.
10. Provides feedback regarding applications submitted to the Planning Commission.
11. Accepts building permit applications from the public; checks plans and maps to determine if the plans comply with zoning code requirements and approved discretionary entitlements; composes letters informing applicant of permit status.
12. Reviews business license applications for compliance with zoning, approved discretionary entitlements, land use codes and special requirements; confers with applicant to recommend corrective action, if needed.
13. Collects fees for various applications, registration, licenses and other documents; issues receipts for fees collected.
14. Visits sites and takes photographs; performs inspection of properties and structures for compliance to approved conditions prior to issuing certificate of occupancy.
15. Reviews development proposals and applications for completeness, accuracy and compliance with appropriate regulations and policies; prepares reports on recommendations; issues permits.
16. Performs background research on parcels of land; prepares correspondence or reports stating findings.
17. Recommends and assists in developing policies, procedures and planning regulations.
18. Assigns residential, commercial and industrial addresses; assigns suite numbers and unit numbers to residential and commercial developments; assigns block numbers to traffic signal plans.

Marginal Functions:

1. Performs various activities in support of the Historic Preservation Commission.
2. Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
3. Assists in recommending and developing policies, procedures and planning regulations.

Planner I
Experience:
 
No professional planning experience is required.
 
Completion of an internship in planning or a related field at a public agency is preferred. 
 
Education:
 
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major in planning, geography, landscape architecture, urban studies, engineering, sociology or a field related to the essential functions. A combination of formal education and directly related work experience may substitute for the degree. The city assesses 1.5 years of fulltime experience as equivalent to one year of education.
 
Planner II
 
In addition to the qualifications for Planner I:
 
Experience:
 
Two years of increasingly responsible experience in urban, community or regional planning, preferably with one year at a public agency. 
 
Education:
 
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major in planning, geography, landscape architecture, urban studies, engineering, sociology or a field related to the essential functions. A combination of formal education and directly related work experience may substitute for the degree. The city assesses 1.5 years of fulltime experience as equivalent to one year of education.Planner I
 
Knowledge of:
 
Basic principles and practices of urban planning and development.
The purpose and intent of zoning regulations.
Basic site planning and architectural design techniques and methods.
Basic computer functions.
Technical report writing, research methods and data compilation.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
Basic mathematics.
Modern office methods, practices, procedures and equipment, including a computer.
Common office software, including word processing.
Basic ArcView software.
 
Skills in:
 
Learning laws, regulations and ordinances underlying general plans, zoning and land divisions.
Learning applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Learning about current literature, information sources and research techniques in the field of urban planning.
Learning to interpret and explain planning and zoning regulations.
Explaining technical terminology and information to the public.
Managing multiple assignments.
Learning to recognize that political sensitivities and inter-relationships in the local community can affect the planning process.
Learning to set priorities.
Understanding and carrying out oral and written directions.
Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Planner II
 
In addition to the qualifications for Planner I:
 
Knowledge of:
 
Principles and practices of urban planning and development.
Laws, regulations and ordinances underlying general plans, zoning and land divisions.
Applicable environmental regulations.
Techniques and practices of research and data analysis.
Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
Current literature, information sources and research techniques in the field of urban planning.
General site planning, landscape design and architectural design techniques and methods.
The building permit process and city addressing requirements.
 
Skills in:
 
Responding to difficult and sensitive public inquiries.
Interpreting and explaining zoning and planning regulations.
Working independently and as part of a team.
Interpreting various types of maps, site plans, floor plans, elevations, graphs and statistical data.
Meeting strict deadlines.
Recognizing that political sensitivities and inter-relationships in the local community can affect the planning process.
Setting priorities.
Presenting information in a public forum.
Maintaining effective interaction and communication with others.
Competencies:
 
Core Workforce Competencies
 
Professionalism – Demonstrates core values by being honest, respectful and positive.
 
Effective Communication – Expresses verbal and written thought in a clear and understandable manner.
 
Customer Focus – Demonstrates genuine concern and satisfies external and/or internal customers based on the CLV core purpose and values.
 
Adaptability – Able to effectively modify behavior to suit changing workforce demands.
 
Problem Solving – Solves problems by considering all causes, solutions and outcomes.
 
Productive Partnerships – Develops, maintains and strengthens partnerships with others.
 
Technical and Safety Expertise – Possesses a depth of knowledge, skill and ability in a technical (job) area.