Senior Planner

The City of Bastrop is currently seeking qualified applicants who possess a desire to contribute, a willingness to be challenged, and a commitment to public service, to join our team as a Senior Planner.  Our champion employees are a driving factor for ensuring the City of Bastrop maintains its exceptional small-town charm with big city amenities.

Under supervision of the Director of Development Services, the Senior Planner is responsible for research, analysis, review, and reporting matters relating to growth, development, redevelopment, revitalization, and the physical organization of the community.  The primary focus of the Senior Planner may include holding Pre-Application meetings, processing, and presenting development cases and assisting developers/owners via meetings, phone calls, and emails.  Special projects and reports focusing on demographics, records management, long range planning, development review, downtown planning, and/or various historical preservation activities will be required as necessary. 

Distinguishing Characteristics:  This is the mid-level classification in the Planner series that follows diversified procedures and implements processes to accomplish end results, within guidelines.  Immediate supervision is available upon request.  This class is distinguished from that of Planner in that it is a higher-level class in the series that performs more complex technical, investigative, and supervisory duties requiring a higher level of knowledge and skill. 

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE (DOQ):  $68,057 - $80,898

Essential Job Functions   

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.  Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reviews planning applications, including zoning, subdivision, site development plans, and other development related projects.  Works with applicants/owners and their representatives before, during, and after review(s) to inform them of requirements, address comments, and provide final determinations from staff, Planning & Zoning Commission, and City Council.
• Reviews Certificate of Appropriateness and other projects, prepares staff reports and presentations for the Historic Landmark Commission.
• Prepares staff reports and makes presentations on applications and projects before the Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustments, Historic Landmark Commission, and City Council.
• Provides general customer services; responds to concerns and inquiries. 
• Assists other team members within the division and department as needed. 
• Updates Development Service website to educate the public and provide useful resources.
• Administers updates and the implementation the City’s Comprehensive Plan.  Coordinates with other departments and divisions to monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.  This includes making policy recommendations to Development Services staff and other departments to ensure future projects align with the Comprehensive Plan. 
• Coordinates legal notifications as related to the Texas Local Government Code and adopted ordinances for projects going to public meetings. 
• Identifies, as needed, amendments to relevant codes, ordinances, procedures, policies, and guidelines for the purpose of improving the development review process and meeting community objectives.  
• Coordinates the City’s historical preservation activities with those of local, state, and federal agencies as well as other municipal departments and the general public. 
• Assists in historic surveys, provides recommendations for treatment of historic properties based on best practices from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s standards; provides historical research and technical assistance as needed.  
• Participates in updating historical preservation related ordinances, guidelines, design standards, and applying for Certified Local Government status; provides education and training through community outreach.  
• Assists in reviewing documents and coordinating the City’s response to developers or consultants related to large and/or complex development and redevelopment projects. 
• Coordinates and assists with the GIS Department to update databases and maps, as needed.
• Designs and organizes databases for demographics, development monitoring, and other planning related files. Develops and publishes the Planning Department’s annual Development, Demographic and Housing report. 
• Analyzes processes and develops standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Responsible for filing, labeling, and maintaining all Development Services files in accordance with records retention requirements. This includes assisting in training and communication on best practices with staff as directed by the Director of Development Services.  
• Provides input and local direction for record conversion projects, records management technology, and electronic records management systems. 
• Participates with Emergency Management when the need arises with the duties assigned.
• Performs any and all related duties assigned by Director of Planning & Development.

Typical Decisions

• Prepares the final draft of reports, studies, plans, and other team assignments.  
• Makes recommendations to the department or division head on team assignments. 
• Provides guidance to property owners and developers on codes, processes, and entitlements.
• May be assigned project types where they are the final decision maker.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, LICENSES, EXPERIENCE

Education & Experience:  

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Community Development, Historic Preservation Architecture, or related field.
• Three (3) or more years of experience in urban planning, neighborhood engagement, or historical preservation.
• Twelve (12) semester hours of relevant graduate college course work may substitute for six (6) months of required experience with a maximum substitution of two (2) years.  
• Any work-related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above minimum qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.
• FEMA IS 100, 200, 700, 800 courses must be completed within one (1) year of hire.

Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid Texas driver’s license with an acceptable driving record to be maintained throughout employment.  
• Membership in AICP and CNU-A desired. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge and implementation of use-based and form-based codes;
• Knowledge of historic preservation practices and downtown master planning; 
• Knowledge of or ability to research planning and community development principles, practices, state/federal laws and regulations related to development;
• Must be innovative, detail-oriented, and experienced in highly visible/controversial projects;
• Capable of managing multiple, high-priority assignments, in a quickly growing area;
• Understanding of local government policy implementation and ability to work with City officials, general public, other City departments, and members of various boards and commissions effectively;
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop positive courses of action;
• Demonstrated proficiency in both oral and written communication; 
• Ability to evaluate a variety of data and make sound decisions regarding the data as it applies to providing services;
• Ability to exercise consistent tact and courtesy in frequent public contact.
• Thorough knowledge of filing and records maintenance, both hard copy and computerized.
• Ability to exercise discretion in matters of a sensitive and/or confidential nature.
• Computer systems, including Microsoft Suite, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and online project tracking and meeting applications;
• GIS programs and applications.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work week is normally five (5) day, 40-hour work weeks; 
• Some night meetings; 
• Work before or after normal work hours as necessary; or during emergency situations as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to work in the field including traversing uneven terrain.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees may be required to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.  

Employees partly work in the office and partly in the field; when in the field incumbents may be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, and mechanical and/or electrical hazards.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.  

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.  The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Physical Demands and Working Conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The City of Bastrop is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO) and values diversity in its workforce. As an EEO employer, the City provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
 
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

**Employment is contingent on passing post-offer, pre-employment drug testing and criminal background investigation.** 

Salary : $68,057 - $80,898