Planner-Senior

JOB SUMMARY

Senior Planners work proactively with staff and public, private, and nonprofit planning partners to implement places0 (the Lancaster County comprehensive plan) and related plans and policies.

Their primary purpose is to facilitate a countywide and regional approach to land use and transportation planning focused on the big ideas and policies, future land use and transportation map, and catalytic tools in places0.

In addition, they provide technical assistance in functional areas of planning such as comprehensive planning and growth management, land use and transportation, environment, heritage conservation, placemaking, planning education, civic engagement, and data analysis.

Some Senior Planners also serve as regional liaisons, facilitating partnerships in a particular geographical area of the county.

The work of Senior Planners requires an ability to balance multiple priorities, apply significant analytical and problem-solving skills, and synthesize complex planning concepts.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to Position # , Director for Implementation & Outreach.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND UPDATE PLANS - %

Work with staff and planning partners to develop and update places0 and other countywide plans such as the Lancaster County Transportation Plan (connects0) and the Lancaster Active Transportation Plan.

Contribute to developing and updating plans and programs that implement these countywide plans. Serve on and / or coordinate internal / external plan implementation teams.

Facilitate the development and implementation of regional plans and policies consistent with countywide plans. Assist with municipal plans as they relate to achieving regional and countywide goals.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT - %

On assigned projects, coordinate with Planners and support staff to accomplish objectives defined by the leadership team (Executive Director and team leaders).

Contribute to meeting the goals of broader programs managed by Principal Planners.

Coordinate the preparation of project scopes of work and requests for proposals for consulting contracts.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND OUTREACH - %

Facilitate partnerships to implement the goals outlined in countywide and regional plans. The department's planning partners include all three sectors of the community : public (federal and state agencies, municipalities, school districts, and infrastructure authorities), private (businesses and individuals), and nonprofit (Partners for Place).

Serve as staff liaison to these planning partners as assigned.

Provide technical assistance to planning partners in functional areas of planning and / or particular geographical areas within the county.

Assist in coordinating public meetings such as the Lancaster County Planning Commission, the Lancaster Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and related committees.

Work with Planners and support staff to prepare agenda items and ensure that these meetings accomplish goals set by the leadership team.

RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, AND EDUCATION - %

Guide Planners and support staff in data collection, maintenance, and analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other tools.

Senior Planners whose positions focus on this type of work should concentrate on higher-level analysis and research design rather than on everyday data collection and maintenance.

Initiate and coordinate efforts to research best practices in planning and pursue opportunities to apply them in Lancaster County.

Prepare or contribute to advisory reviews of regional and municipal comprehensive plans, studies, ordinances, areawides, subdivision and land development items, and other scopes / studies as they relate to assigned work.

Guide Planners and support staff in responding to environmental notifications and requests for letters of support.

Educate Lancaster County Planning Commission members and planning partners on countywide, regional, and municipal plans;

functional areas of planning; and / or particular geographical areas within the county. Prepare presentations and reports for that purpose.

As it relates to assigned tasks, provide or coordinate the development of content for the department's website and social media.

Participate in updating the website to better suit the department's needs.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

Lead or participate in meetings and site visits outside the office as necessary, including before and after scheduled office hours.

As assigned by a Principal Planner or the leadership team, perform other duties related to implementing the department's current work program.

Play an active role in developing and implementing strategies to improve the department's delivery of services, both internally (among other staff) and externally to planning partners.

Assist the department in becoming more effective, efficient, and customer friendly.

Be a team player. Work collaboratively and cooperatively with staff, internal and external teams, and planning partners.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning or a related field and 1 year of experience in planning, or a bachelor's degree in planning or a related field and 3 years of experience in planning or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability to perform this job.

The required experience for a Senior Planner should include a greater variety and complexity of work than that expected of a Planner.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

COMMUNICATION

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including an ability to make effective presentations on planning concepts, policy, and analysis.

Strong interpersonal skills.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), GIS applications, web-based applications, and tools / methods for data collection and analysis.

PLANNING CONCEPTS

Professional knowledge and experience in one or more functional areas of planning practice such as comprehensive planning, growth management, land use, transportation, housing, environment, heritage conservation, placemaking, planning education, civic engagement, and data analysis.

Familiarity with the general principles of zoning, subdivision, and land development.

LEADERSHIP

Demonstrated experience in working effectively with staff and planning partners to achieve measurable results.

Commitment to taking active responsibility in meeting priorities identified by the leadership team, rather than a passive approach focused narrowly on assigned tasks.

ETHICS / JUDGMENT

Strong ethical commitment to the principles of planning practice.

By comparison with Planners, Senior Planners are expected to exercise greater independence and judgment in their work.

REQUIRED LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS / CLEARANCES

A valid driver’s license and ability to furnish personal transportation.

Acceptable pre-employment driver history check in accordance with county policy.

Accreditation by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily sedentary in nature. No special physical demands are required.