Planning Manager

The City of Little Rock provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. City of Little Rock complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every work location. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Job Objective & Safety/Security Sensitive Designation

This position is not designated as a safety/security sensitive position and is not subject to random drug and alcohol screening.

Essential Functions

• Manages and oversees the activities of the Planning Division, reviews and updates various long-range development plans and ensures activities are in compliance with all applicable laws, guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Assigns, directs, and participates in research and presentation of studies of land use, demographic, economic, and development characteristics of areas within the City planning boundaries.
• Recommends revision of Department procedures, long-range plans, and land use ordinances; provides information to other Department personnel, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Directors for use in revision of Land Use Plans and Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances.
• Prepares and presents information to City administrators, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Directors regarding land use and development plans and related ordinances.
• Compiles information and prepares tentative annual budget figures for Planning Division with justification for major changes and purchases; ensures expenditures do not exceed allocated budget; monitors budget to ensure expenditures are within established guidelines; reports any discrepancies; monitors and approves Division expenditures.
• Oversees, participates in and completes special projects and studies to include research and presentation of information as requested by the City Manager, Board of Directors, Planning Commission, and Department Director.
• Attends Planning Commission and Board of Directors meetings to present information and staff recommendations on long-range plans and proposed developments.
• Meets with Departmental employees of the Zoning and Subdivision Division to review rezoning, subdivision, and variance applications for compliance with land use and development plans.
• Answers questions and provides information regarding long-range development plans to developers, engineers, City administrators, other City departments and other interested parties.
• Assigns, directs, and participates in preparing and updating various long-range development plans, including the district land use plans and the Master Street Plan.
• Receives and investigates operational and administrative problems and complaints regarding Division activities; responds to and resolves sensitive and controversial issues, inquiries, and complaints; reports findings and recommends solutions to Director of Planning and Development.
• Assigns, prioritizes and reviews the work activities and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel.
• Directs Departmental activities in the absence of the Director as assigned.
• Compiles information and prepares various detailed narrative and statistical reports relative to Division activities and programs for review by the supervisor.
• Assigns and supervises the preparation of maps and graphics materials for inclusion in reports and for use in presentations to the Planning Commission and the Board of Directors.
• Visits areas which are added to the City planning boundaries to become familiar with the characteristics of those areas and relationships to existing development plans.
• Compiles information and directs preparation of the Annual Capital Improvement Budget.
• Prepares requests for proposals for consultation studies; reviews activities of consultants to ensure that consulting services are properly provided.
• Maintains hard copy and computer files and records of information relating to Planning activities and related information.
• Operates a computer utilizing database, spreadsheet, and word processing software in the performance of essential job functions.
• Operates a City pool automobile in the performance of essential job functions.

Minimum Qualifications, Additional Requirements and Supervisory Responsibilities

Application Requirements

• Online applications only
• Applicant’s answers to supplemental questions will be used to screen for minimum qualifications electronically.
• Please include a complete work history when completing application. Work history may impact initial salary offer amount for the successful candidate.
• List of qualified applicants will be considered active for up to six (6) months and may be used to fill future openings with same or similar minimum qualifications.
• All communication regarding application status will be sent to candidates via text message/ email address listed on account.
• You may check your NeoGov inbox to review all notices sent to the email address associated with your applications.
• Applicants may check application status for any position by logging into their account at or contacting Human Resources at (501) 371-4590 if they are having computer difficulties.

1. Performs other related duties as required.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of urban planning.
• Knowledge of the land use laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of the techniques of demographic or economic development research.
• Knowledge of descriptive statistics.
• Knowledge of the principles of civil engineering.
• Knowledge of the budget process.
• Knowledge of computer fundamentals and business software, including word processing, spreadsheet, or database software.
• Skill in the operation of a computer, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, or data base software.
• Ability to prepare technical information for publication and oral and graphic presentations.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, plats and blueprints.
• Ability to read and interpret City ordinances regarding land use and zoning.
• Ability to gather and analyze data from various sources for research projects to determine characteristics of specific neighborhoods.
• Ability to present technical information and staff recommendations to City boards and commissions.
• Ability to apply planning principles to the preparation of long-range development and land use plans and for establishing priority for capital improvement budgets.
• Ability to investigate administrative and operational problems and recommend solutions.
• Ability to compile and analyze data and prepare correspondence, narrative, and statistical reports.
• Ability to assign and review the work activities of assigned personnel.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures for Division operations.
• Ability to maintain hard copy and computer files and records.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

City of Little Rock Benefits
Non-Uniformed NON-Union Eligible Full-Time Employees

Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision) - The City pays the eintire cost of employee only health insurance for the base plan. Higher levels of health coverage and dependent coverage is available at the employee's option; the City pays part of the cost of this additional coverage.

Life Insurance - The City pays the total cost of employee life insurance. Amount of coverage is one to three times salary, based on job classification.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) – The City pays the total cost for employee AD&D. Amount of coverage is one times salary.

Long-Term Disability – The City pays the total cost of long-term disability insurance. Amount of coverage is 60% of salary.

Retirement – Our 401a pension plan requires contributions by both the City and the employee.

Paid Time Off

Paid Time Off (PTO) Leave may be used for vacation, personal illness, funeral Leave/attendance, illness of a family member or other personal business.

Generous leave accruals with carry over capability.

Short-Term Disability Leave

Short-Term Disability (STD) can be used for extended personal illness requiring the employee to be absent more than three (3) days (with acceptable medical documentation).

All full-time non-uniformed non-union eligible employees earn STD at the rate of six (6) days per year.

After five (5) years of service, an employee will receive 2% of the STD account (maximum 1,000 hours) per years of service, upon termination of employment.

Longevity

Longevity pay will be paid at the rate of $4 per month for each year of service up to and including the fifth (5th) year and $6 per month for each year of service beginning at six (6) years and for each year thereafter.

for other leaves and observed holidays.