Principle Planner

JOB OPENING

CITY OF FARMINGTON

JOB POSITION #45: Principle Planner

NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 1

DEPARTMENT: Community Development

TYPE OF POSITION: Regular, Full-Time

WORK LOCATION: West Annex

PAY CLASS: O Exempt

HIRING RANGE: $66,220 - $102,978/Salary

DAYS WORKED: Monday-Friday

HOURS WORKED: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED THROUGH: March 14, 2025

JOB DUTIES

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The Principal Planner reports to the Community Development Director.

Plans, organizes and supervises the operations of the Planning Division including, Development Services, Current Planning, Long Range Planning, and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs.

Performs and manages the analysis, development, and presentation of recommendations on complex planning, zoning and development proposals; responsible for providing technical expertise in the formulation of recommendations.

Responsible for advising contractors, architects, developers and members of the public on code interpretations, code requirements, and plan deficiencies.

Responsible for handling complaints of potential code violations relating to signing, nuisances, land use, zoning, animals, noise, or other code related matters.

Reviews, interprets and suggests revisions to the City's Unified Development Code, land use, and zoning development.

Using excellent customer service skills, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and all members of the general public.

Serves as liaison and performs all necessary functions in support of Planning and Zoning Commission, Administrative Review Board and Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Commission.

Prepares special reports and supervises the performance of professional staff and outside consultants in the preparation of specialized planning reports including urban design proposals and other field studies.

Confers with engineers, developers, architects, various outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating planning and zoning matters; provides information regarding City development requirements.

Attends substantial number of evening and possible weekend meetings.

Advises the Community Development Director on all planning-related matters.

Manages division operations in compliance with the personnel ordinance and related administrative regulations.

Maintains responsibility for all division recruitment, hiring, performance evaluations, commendations, and disciplinary actions under the provisions of the personnel ordinance.

Participates in budget preparation and administration, monitors and controls expenditures.

May serve as acting Community Development Director in his or her absence

Operates a motor vehicle to assist in carrying out the business of the department and the City.

Performs related duties as required.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

Thorough knowledge of urban planning and development and local government policies and procedures.

Thorough knowledge of specialization such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development.

Research methods and statistical principles related to urban growth and development.

Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.

Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations including recent changes.

Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.

Budgeting procedures and techniques.

Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to municipal planning and administration.

Knowledge of local government procedures and practices.

Citizen involvement techniques and processes.

Knowledge of computer programs and applications, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, econometric or transportation modeling, and database management.

GIS programs and applications.

Bachelor's degree in urban/municipal/community planning or a related field is required; graduate degree or graduate level coursework preferred.

Five years of experience in urban/municipal/community planning with a minimum of three years of supervisory experience at a similar or larger-sized organization required.

AICP certification from the American Planning Association is preferred or otherwise required within five years of employment. Experience in municipal planning preferred.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with employees, consultants, other governmental agency representatives, City officials and the general public; ability to conduct necessary research and compile comprehensive reports.

Skill in public relations involving various community and infrastructure problems under stressful conditions.

Valid New Mexico driver's license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, advisory boards and commissions, the City Manager, division/department heads, subordinate supervisors, employees, and the general public.

In addition to the above identified characteristics and experience, the following attributes are also important qualities for the Principal Planner:

Positive, responsive and customer-oriented attitude;

Confident and comfortable in dealing with pressure coming from a variety of sources simultaneously;

Energized by major challenges and accomplishments;

Knowledgeable about contemporary development services technological applications;

Communicates with confidence, integrity and professionalism;

Superior decision maker; takes risks courageously and judiciously;

Exceptional and proven manager of people;

Displays genuine concern for staff development and quality of work life;

Possesses sound judgment and excellent intuition;

Fosters and rewards innovation and creativity at all levels; and,

Proactive problem solver.

This position is subject to the City's Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Program which includes: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to work testing, and follow-up testing.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Calculator, phone, fax and copy machine, personal computer, and motor vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear; sit; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderate in the field.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F/D/V