Associate Planner (Planner II)

• Assist the City Planner in day-to-day operations of the division and serve as lead planner in his/her absence. 
• Maintain and manage zoning and subdivision applications and maintain accurate files and records.
• May train subordinate professional or technical/administrative support staff as needed. 

• Draft correspondence, memoranda, staff reports, minutes, agendas, and related documents.
• Initiate actions necessary to correct deficiencies or violations of regulations. 
• Organize project review meetings with various City staff and developer representatives; assist in identifying problem areas related to zoning and negotiates options for compliance.
• Assist in the preparation of comprehensive plan elements, neighborhood specific plans, topical plans and studies, and special planning projects, such as housing needs assessments or transportation studies.
• Provides administrative support for the Planning & Zoning Commission as needed.

• Conduct review of various development applications including plats, permits, site plans, variance requests and re-zonings.
• Prepare and present staff reports analyzing compliance of development proposals with the city’s development codes and comprehensive plan; and recommendations reflecting findings of fact and conditions for approval of development applications.  
• Conduct research on issues, policies, and concepts pertaining to planning.
• Perform site investigations of approved projects to ensure compliance with applicable criteria and/or conditions. Interprets and applies applicable state, county and local codes, ordinances and regulations. 

• Communicate in person, electronically and by telephone with the public, explaining rules, regulations, policies, procedures and activities; assist the public to define concerns and presents public questions to management; follow up with the public to apprize them of city policy and decisions.
• Meets with the general public to discuss planning, zoning and development issues; assists the public to define concerns and presents public questions to management; follows up with public to apprise of City policy and decisions.
• Presents applications to Planning & Zoning Commission as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Principles and practices of urban planning, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and urban design. 
• Federal, state, and local statutes pertaining to planning and zoning. 
• Research methodology, statistical analysis, and evaluation of research data. 
• Principles of Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Standard business software tools such as database management, word processing, spreadsheet, email, and Internet browser programs.
• Public presentation techniques.
• Ethical principles and rules of conduct for professional planners.

• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local statutes pertaining to planning and zoning. 
• Research, analyze and interpret data and make recommendations.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with the public, peers, elected officials, Planning and Zoning Commission and other City employees.
• Demonstrate effective customer service and interpersonal skills with the public, City employees, supervisors and managers, other public agencies, applicants, and vendors.
• Effectively communicate and follow written and oral instruction. 
• Evaluate and analyze customer needs to provide exceptional customer service.
• Ensure that records, documents, and related reports are maintained in accordance with state and city requirements,   
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, other City employees, supervisors and managers, vendors, and the general public.
• Operate standard office equipment and a personal computer including program applications appropriate to assigned duties.
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop reasonable solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Demonstrate patience, integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks. 

• Work independently, with minimal supervision, and make appropriate decisions in the absence of a supervisor.
• Work well under pressure and maintain a calm and professional demeanor, under stressful or adversarial conditions.

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively.
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to review documents in electronic and hardcopy form.

• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate computers and related equipment.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to function in a general office environment and visit various work sites throughout the City.

• Work is performed in a normal office environment with occasional exposure to outdoor temperatures, dirt and dust.
• The incumbent’s typical working conditions are moderately quiet with little exposure to excessive noise.
• Duties may require some evening and weekend work. 

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban/regional planning or a closely related field is required.
• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience, preferably in municipal government planning and development
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work of an Associate Planner may also be qualifying.

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification is preferred
• Valid driver’s license

• Master’s degree in a closely related field

Salary : $59,842 - $82,680