Principal Planner-Long Range

JOB SUMMARY

Under nominal direction, overseesand directs the activities of other planning staff responsible for performingplanning assignments, and acts as project manager and project coordinator onlong-range plans and studies and current planning activities, includingnegotiating professional service agreements, monitoring consultant contracts,preparing and presenting staff reports and ordinance revisions and providingtechnical planning and zoning assistance to the public and city departments.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

1. Manage and superviseplanners and planning teams responsible for assignments of long-range plans andstudies and current planning activities, preparing and presenting staffreports, ordinance revisions and providing technical planning and zoningassistance to the public and city departments to ensure the city’s policies andstandards are met, which may include the ability to negotiate complexconsultant and professional service contracts and supervise the development ofplans and documents to ensure compliance with Council priorities, thedepartment’s work plan, and public input.

2. Research and develop project objectives, development programs, designguidelines, transportation plans, neighborhood plans, and budgets based onCouncil priorities, the department’s work plan, and public input.

3.Collaborate with the Planning Manager to effectively lead, manage, work withand coordinate the recommendations of other departments, divisions, and groups,both internal and external, in the review of zoning and developmentapplications, long range plans, and special reports;

fill in for the PlanningManager during absences.

• 4. Manage and review the department’splanning efforts, including the Comprehensive Plan and its related activities,development and related land use permit applications, development plans,variance applications;
• examine applications for compliance with establishedplans and ordinances, and applicable local, state, or federal regulation;

solicit input from appropriate staff, schedule hearing and actions, monitorthrough the approval process, enforce compliance with regulations.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS :

5. Respond to various inquiries (e.g., otherdepartments, citizens, committees / commissions, City Council, local authorities,civic leaders, social scientists, developers, architects, land planningprofessionals) regarding specific projects in order to expedite services byproviding technical and professional information, assistance, and guidanceregarding planning, economic development, and community development.

6. Lead, manage, work with andcoordinate the recommendations of other departments, divisions, and groups,both internal and external, in the review of zoning and developmentapplications, long range plans, and special reports.

7. Administer the zoningprocess, platting process, variances, special exceptions, ordinance and codeamendments, and related activities.

Ability to facilitate meetings of Planningand Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, community groups, other citydepartments, consultants, and City Council.

8. Write reports that requirelimited editing, and evaluate demographic, zoning, economic, geographicand infrastructure information.

Ability to design, organize, and oversee theongoing maintenance of databases for demographics, growth and developmentmonitoring and application reviews.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required :

• Advanced knowledge of the fundamental principles, concepts, practices and theories of urban planning; including ability to train staff on same.
• Knowledge and experience related to comprehensive and neighborhood planning principles, urban development, and site planning.
• Knowledge and experience related to GIS, and ability to create maps and prepare audio-visual presentations.
• Knowledge and experience related to research methodology and techniques for organizing and analyzing complex data, including computer applications related to project management, spreadsheet, database and word processing programs.
• Knowledge and experience related to federal and state laws and regulations relating to planning, zoning, site planning and urban development, including ability to train staff on same.
• Proven skill to effectively work with other city employees, the public, consultants, Boards, Commissions and City Council by oral, graphic, and written means.
• Proven skill in researching, analyzing, and generating data and formulating conclusions and recommendations, including ability to train staff on same.
• Proven skill in presenting complex issues to the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council, other boards and commissions, and the general public.
• Ability to thoroughly and comprehensively evaluate all aspects of subdivision plats, development plans, and zoning cases, including ability to train staff on same.
• Ability to write reports that require limited editing, and evaluate demographic, zoning, economic, geographic and infrastructure information.
• Ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary and diverse project teams.
• Ability to supervise professional and technical employees, including planning, organizing, and scheduling their workload and priorities.
• Ability to initiate, design, coordinate and manage planning projects and to coordinate multi-departmental projects.
• Ability to show competency in possessing a working knowledge of the internal processes, ordinances and policies of the department.

Qualifying Education and Experience :

• Bachelor's Degree in urban and regional planning, geography / GIS, political science / public administration, architecture, environmental science, landscape architecture, business or related field
• six (6) years related experience including one (1) year progressively responsible supervisory experience;
• or a Master's Degree in urban and regional planning, geography / GIS, political science / public administration, architecture, environmental science, landscape architecture, business, or related field and four years related experience including one (1) year progressively responsible supervisory experience.

AICP required within two (2) years of employment.

Pre-employment screens :

• Criminal background check
• Drug and alcohol
• Motor Vehicle Review (MVR)
25 days ago