Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
DEFINITION
Perform advanced professional level duties in the development, implementation and modification of City plans and regulations; provide planning and development services in the coordination and management of the City’s major planning efforts; provide public assistance and liaison to other organizations, agencies, consultants, and developers; ensure adherence to City and mandated rules, regulations, codes, ordinances and standards; provide lead supervision over professional and technical staff and citizen committees; perform a variety of duties relative to assigned areas of responsibility.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey level class in the Planner series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including complex planning project management activities or providing lead direction to lower level professional and technical staff. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.
JOB CLASSIFICATION
Exempt, Non-Safety Sensitive.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from the Community Development Director.
May act as a lead worker by assigning and reviewing the work of other planners or technical staff when managing special projects.
PRIMARY DUTIES--The following are examples of primary duties assigned to positions in this classification. Other related duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
1. Perform advanced professional level duties in the development, implementation and modification of City plans and regulations.
2. Provide information and assistance to City staff, the general public, and consultants/developers regarding City plans, zoning matters and development requirements; conduct pre-application meetings with engineers, developers, architects, general public and City staff regarding the development process and requirements.
3. Perform complex planning and development review of major and minor subdivisions, site plans, right-of-way and easement vacations, annexations, major code amendments, and other permits or processes to ensure compliance with all requirements; provide recommendations on development proposals; assist developers to ensure all requirements are complied within established time frames; inspect development sites to ensure compliance.
4. Serve as staff on a variety of boards, commissions and committees involved in the development, adoption, and implementation of City plans and planning regulations; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; provide staff input and recommendations.
5. Research, prepare, manage and implement planning studies and community plans.
6. Responsible for special project management to include researching, planning, coordinating and implementing.
7. Interpret and apply environmental quality laws and regulations; ensure that development, City projects, and municipal code amendments are in compliance with environmental quality laws and regulations.
8. Prepare grant proposals for state and federal funds; administer and monitor programs and grant funds to achieve stated goals; prepare grant status reports as required.
9. Participate in code administration; interpret City ordinances, zoning and development codes, and state and federal regulations regarding community development; conduct research of applicable statues/regulations and other planning examples; develop text amendments and related ordinances; recommend policy and guideline changes.
10. Process annexation petitions; coordinate annexation petition/annexation legal description and impacts of annexation with other City departments; complete annexation impact report and determine statutory compliance with State annexation laws.
11. Serve as an advisory member to assigned committees and commissions; provide staff support as required.
12. Conduct and/or act as project manager for long range and special planning studies in the community; gather data for evaluating current and advance planning projects; research applicable statutes, laws, and regulations to identify planning guidelines and restrictions placed on local planning activities by state and federal authorities.
13. Coordinate and conduct research; compile and analyze statistical and descriptive data; prepare tables, graphs, and narratives.
14. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new innovations and trends in the field of community development and planning.
15. Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Operations, services and activities of a community planning and development program.
Advanced principles and practices of urban planning, zoning and development.
Principles and practice of project management.
Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to all aspects of community development.
Grant research, writing and administration.
Principles and practices of contract administration.
Principles and practice of zoning ordinance administration and enforcement.
Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
Methods and techniques of eliciting community participation in planning and development issues.
Research methods and sources of information related to urban growth and development.
City development review procedures and requirements.
Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.
Citizen involvement techniques and processes.
Transportation planning principles and practices.
Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
Ability to:
Solve problems in a proactive fashion and think strategically
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Develop, implement, and manage complex professional planning projects, research and analysis.
Perform advanced professional level duties in the development, implementation and modification of city plans and regulations.
Provide staff support to assigned commissions or committees.
Provide effective supervision and staff management.
Lead, monitor, train, and review staff and technical work.
Interpret, apply, and explain pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, grant programs, codes and regulations.
Process development applications and coordinate necessary communication between staff, developer, and other agencies.
Analyze site design, terrain constraints, circulations, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services.
Identify and suggest needed changes to City codes, standards, procedures.
Prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements and correspondence.
Present technical data, in verbal, written, graphic and map form, to a variety of boards and commissions.
Serve as project manager for complex planning projects or studies.
Serve as a project manager for special projects
Prepare competitive grant applications
Utilize specialized computer applications applicable to planning design and review.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Minimum Requirements:
Experience:
Five years of increasingly responsible urban planning and development experience.
Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning or related field.
Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions:
The classification is performed in the following working environment:
Office environment.
Physical Conditions:
The job is characterized by:
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves
sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
The following physical activities are very or extremely important in accomplishing the classification’s purpose and are performed on a daily basis:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for prolonged periods. The employee is regularly required to see, hear, talk, stand, twist and use repetitive motions in the conduct of work. The employee is also required to perform light lifting.