What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planner 1 position at City of Post Falls, Idaho?
Class Specifications
The primary function of an employee in this class is to perform technical planning work involving the research, review, and analysis of land use development related requests. This employee also conducts field inspections, meets with the public, prepares GIS maps to assist facilitating staff reports, reviews land use permit applications, and presents findings and recommendations to Community Development Staff, City Commissions, City Council and the public. The work is performed under the direction of the Planning Manager. An employee in this class may be assigned to other related duties in the Community Development Department. The principal duties of this class are performed in a public office environment.
Examples of Work Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Posts notices in the field for public hearings;
- Assists in the preparation of exhibits and reports for planning applications and activities;
- Performs technical GIS and planning functions to support the Planning Division;
- Provides assistance to the public, by telephone and in person, regarding development and zoning projects and current City codes;
- Processes site plan applications; reviewing application documents, site visits, and inspections in coordination with other city departments;
- Assists in code enforcement efforts in coordination with the Police Department;
- Provides research, review, and analysis to support annexations, zone changes, development applications, special use permits, variance, and other related applications for the Planning Division;
- Processes planning and zoning permit applications, including reviewing application documents, site visits, and preparing material for the Planning Division;
- Coordinates application review process with affected parties, including applicant, property owner, planning staff, architects and engineers, City regulatory and review bodies, and the public;
- Provides technical staff support and assistance to the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council, including review and recommendations on proposals;
- Assists in the overall implementation of the City Comprehensive Plan, including general planning and development philosophy, goals, and policies;
- Assists in maintenance of current land use application case files as assigned;
- Assists in maintaining current city maps, zoning maps, planning documents, planning and development codes and related regulations, geographic and demographic information and databases, and related studies and statistics, for research, documentation, and public access;
- Review development applications and building permits to ensure code compliance; and
- Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordination with other staff and departments on GIS implementation;
- Performs other related duties as required; and
- Limited attendance at meetings scheduled in the evenings, including presentation of reports to the City Planning & Zoning Commission, other bodies, and City Council.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Planning/zoning and related principals, methodologies, processes, and practices;
- GIS as it relates to the Planning and Zoning Division;
- City Comprehensive Plan and development documents, philosophy, processes, and goals;
- City codes regulating development review and design standards, including public review and hearing processes;
- Planning research methodology, including field inspections, computer and electronic searches, archive and file searches, personal interviews, and related research methods;
- Provide superior customer service to internal and external customers while representing the Community Development Department and Planning Division;
- Principles and practices of development design, including architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, site design and development, traffic engineering and impacts, and land use compatibility; and
- Computer software and applications related to land use and planning and development procedures.
Ability to:
- Follow written and oral instructions;
- Read and interpret the City Comprehensive Plan, regulatory codes, technical and operational documents, reports, research material and information, blueprints, and maps;
- Review and analyze applications and apply relevant regulatory ordinances and codes;
- Prepare and present oral, written, and graphic reports, documents, brochures and pamphlets, maps, and related planning and development documentation;
- Operate standard office equipment including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;
- Communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees, the public, customers, citizen groups, and interested and affected parties; and
- Deal effectively with difficult situations and be able to negotiate efficiently.
Acceptable Experience and Training
- Bachelor’s degree in planning, landscape architecture, geography, public administration, or a related field; and
- One (1) year experience in planning or a related field desired; or
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.
