The City of Concord is seeking a forward thinking, community service oriented individual to fill the newly created position of Assistant City Planner - Zoning in the Community Development Department Planning Division. The City is experiencing a spike in development activity and is regularly listed among the “hottest real estate markets” in the United States. The City anticipates the onset of a comprehensive Master Plan update in the near future, leading to the need for a competent professional to work with the division staff to implement the City’s vision established by the Plan, and to work collaboratively with city staff, the development community and the City’s residents. This position is responsible for interpreting and administering the Zoning Ordinance, reviewing and processing applications to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and supervising the Planning and Zoning Inspector; responsible for development review of proposed subdivisions, site plans, and applications for architectural design and Planning Board review (see job description for a full list of duties and responsibilities). Writing, public speaking, plan review, and community engagement skills are highly valued, along with positive energy and a motivation for positive community change.

The City offers competitive pay with a comprehensive benefit package to include low deductible health plans with HSA funding offered by Harvard Pilgrim, Delta Dental to include a lifetime orthodontia benefit, Delta Vision, New Hampshire Retirement System Pension, three choices of 457 Retirement Plans, Paid STD, LTD and PFML as well as free family pool pass for employees, free library card, and member guest rate for employees at our very own Beaver Meadow Golf Course.

Job Summary

Provides professional and technical assistance in the areas of development permitting, land use planning, and municipal facility design. Provides customer service to the general public and other city departments. Serves as point person for data collection and dissemination. Manages special projects, contracts, and initiatives. Performs the duties of the City Planner in his or her absence assigned.

Planning Board & Design Review Committee: Reviews Planning Board development permitting applications for subdivision approval, site plan approval, conditional use permits, as well as applications for architectural design approval for compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. Determines if applications are complete. Serves as primary point of contact for applicants and their agents for assigned applications. Coordinates and facilitates review of applications and related submissions with Code Administration Division, Engineering Services Division, General Services Department, Fire Department, as well as consultants and other third parties as applicable. Prepares written responses to applicant, discusses the application with applicant and applicant’s agents, and general public. Attends Architectural Design Review Committee meetings to present applications, provide recommendations related thereto. Prepares staff reports to the Planning Board with comprehensive analysis of development permit application and recommendations pertaining to completeness, waivers, findings of fact, suggested conditions of approval (precedent and subsequent) or denial of application. Responds to inquiries from the public and abutters pertaining to assigned development applications and permits / approvals. Performs site visits and inspections of the subject properties during the application review process. Performs site inspection of assigned applications during construction activities through issuance of final Certificate of Occupancy to ensure project conforms with conditions of approval, applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations; recommends enforcement action as needed to City Planner. Completes final inspection of property and approves Certificates of Occupancy for projects as applicable. Following issuance of Certificate of Occupancy, supports the Planning and Zoning Inspector on enforcement actions pertaining with compliance with approved plans and conditions of approval. 

Serves as Deputy Clerk of the Planning Board; serves as Clerk of the Board in the absence of the City Planner and Assistant City Planner – Planning.

Zoning Board of Adjustment: Is the staff liaison to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Reviews all Zoning Board applications for administrative appeals, variances, special exceptions, and equitable waivers. Determines if applications are complete. Serves as the primary point of contact for applicants and their agents for assigned applications. Responds to inquiries from the public and abutters pertaining to Zoning Board applications. Facilitates review of applications and related submissions with the Code Division, Engineering Division, General Services Department, Fire Department, as well as consultants, other third parties as applicable. Prepares written responses to applicant, and discusses application with applicant and applicant’s agents, and general public. Prepares staff reports to the Zoning Board of Adjustment with comprehensive analysis of application and recommendations associated therewith. Performs site visits and inspections of the subject properties during the application review process. Ensuring compliance with conditions of approval.

Consults with, and advises, other City personnel pertaining to the status of properties and situations in relation to compliance and conformity with the Zoning Ordinance. 

Provides staff support to the Demolition Review Committee, advising on legal and procedural issues.

Receives zoning violation reports and complaints; develops, maintains, and manages a system to catalog and track complaint and violation reports; communicates with complainants advising on enforcement activities.

Investigates complaints; writes reports and letters; issues orders for corrective actions specifying violation and required abatement.

Initiates investigations pertaining to zoning ordinance violations. Obtains warrants and coordinates searches. Collects and prepares evidence and coordinate case preparation with the City Prosecutor; assists in prosecution through courtroom testimony and sworn deposition.

Issues binding administrative decisions on matters of dispute or interpretation relative to zoning.

Supervises the Planning and Zoning Inspector.

Conservation Commission: In the absence of the Assistant City Planner – Community Planning (whom is the staff liaison to the Conservation Commission), may assist the City Planner with all Conservation Commission related matters as assigned. Duties may include the following:

Agendas, minutes, reports, meeting setup and format, presentations, communications, correspondence, purchase orders and contracts. Attendance at meetings of the Conservation Commission. Administering all aspects of the Conservation Commission, Forestry Program, Trails Systems, and Open Space Programs. Preparation of Conservation Commission and Forestry budgets. Managing enforcement of conservation easements and restrictions on behalf of the Conservation Commission. Directing the Administrative Specialist regarding preparation and posting of agenda packets and minutes.

Supervising the Trail Ranger.

Overseeing the City Forester’s consultant scope of work; managing other consultants as necessary.

Coordinating land acquisition initiatives for the Conservation Commission, assisting with negotiation of purchase and sales agreements, administering purchase related due diligence processes, and closings. Negotiating and administering lease agreements, for Conservation Commission properties, as well as other City owned real estate, as assigned.

Coordinating the clean-up of conservation and open space properties including homeless encampments and other dumping.

Other Committees: In the absence of other assigned staff, may provide staff support as assigned to the Architectural Design Review Committee, Heritage Commission, Demolition Review Committee, Transportation Policy Advisory Committee, and others within the jurisdiction of the Community Planning Division.

Provides direction to the Senior Planner and Administrative Specialist.

Coordinates other reviews and approvals necessary for the issuance of building permits and certificates of occupancy as assigned. Inspects projects to determine compliance with Planning Board approval.

Represents the City on various boards and committees as assigned by the City Planner.

Makes presentations to the Planning Board and other City boards and committees as directed by the City Planner.

Assists the public with inquiries related to the City’s land use regulations. 

Assists the City Planner with preparation of reports and draft amendments to the City’s Subdivision Regulations, Site Plan Review Regulations, Architectural Design Review Guidelines and Master Plan. Presents draft amendments to the Planning Board, City Council, and stakeholders as assigned.

Coordinates related work with other departments, private utilities, and regulatory agencies.

Manages special projects, initiatives and consulting and design services contracts.

Calculates development impact fees for assigned development permit applications as applicable. 

Prepares grant applications. 

Assists City Planner with the development of the overall Division work plan and budget.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree (Master’s degree preferred) or equivalent from a college or university in planning, community development, landscape architecture, public administration, geography or related field; and

Five years of progressively responsible related experience, including two years in a supervisory capacity; or

Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid State Driver’s License

AICP (desirable)

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of municipal planning, zoning, development regulations, and land use law.

Working understanding of the principles and practices of civil engineering, transportation engineering, architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, sociology, economic development, historic preservation, ecology and natural resources.

Principles and practices of statistics and economics.

Principles and practices of land-use planning and its relationship to transportation and zoning issues.

Principles and practices of new urbanism, sustainability, complete streets, and multimodal corridor design.

Geographic Information Systems.

Applicable state, federal, and local laws, rules, and regulations.

Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and report presentation.

Microsoft Office software.

 Skills in:

Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.

Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.

Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.

Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks and to understand, interpret, and communicate complicated policies, procedures, and protocols.

Communicating clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.

Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.

Developing and maintaining positive and effective professional working relationships with elected officials, City staff, representatives from other governmental agencies, permit applicants, and the general public.

Use of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, etc.) and ESRI ArcGIS products.

Use of Tyler Technology software packages, including Munis accounting software and EnerGov permitting software.

Mental and Physical Abilities to:

Ability to problem solve when standards may not always be available; ability to “think outside-the-box”.

Operate with multiple deadlines and competing demands.

Speak effectively before public groups and respond to questions.

Read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.

Interpret a variety of technical instructions with abstract and/or concrete variables.

Inspect and evaluate property of varied topography and vegetative conditions.

Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Perform duties while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping.

Occasionally lift objects up to 10 lbs.

Use tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.

Distinguish between shades of color.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in an office and outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather and sometimes on rugged terrain.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.