City Planner

The City Planner is a professional position responsible for reviewing site plans, rezoning requests, subdivision plats, special use permits, and other departmental plans, and preparing staff reports and other technical planning documents. The position involves frequent internal and external contacts which require considerable interpersonal skill in handling. Contacts include non-routine problems and require in-depth discussion and/or persuasion in order to gain concurrence or resolve problems. Interaction is direct with citizens, property and business owners, potential developers, other departments of the City and other governmental agencies. The hiring range for this full-time exempt position is $84,000-$100,000 annually (DOQ).

Position Responsibilities

Project Coordination and Monitoring:Assist in field inspections for site plans. Participate in the review and update of the Comprehensive Plan and the Capital Improvement Plan. Participate in setting direction and oversight for long-range planning (e.g., Comprehensive Plan, Capital Improvement Plan). Help to promote interdepartmental coordination and joint planning.

Plan Review: Prepare staff reports for subdivisions (preliminary and final), as assigned. Prepare staff reports for re-zoning applications. Review/revise ordinances and application checklists for preliminary plats, final plats and site plans.

Research and Recommendations: Complete special projects in area of expertise. Review and revise zoning ordinances. Assist with the development of complex, long-range land use and community development programs. Assist with research of appropriate financial assistance from state and federal agencies. Assist in providing guidance and oversight for research projects. Review and assist in revising zoning ordinances, development policies, and the City's Comprehensive Plan.

Plan Presentation: Make presentations to the Planning Commission for re-zoning, plats, site plans, and special use permits. Prepare and make presentations to the Board of Zoning Appeals. May be involved in handling sensitive or complex issues related to plan presentation and review. Participate in making presentations to the City Council.

Public Liaison: Meet with developers for pre-submittal discussions on subdivisions, site plans, rezonings and special use permits, as assigned. Develop community ties and networks that help to promote community growth and development and build civic pride. Assist the Planning Manager and act as City liaison in their absence to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Responds to issues raised in the CSR system.

Community Planning: Participate in research and recommendations for resolving community issues and concerns.

Customer Information and Support: Provide information to property owners, investors, developers, etc. regarding land use applications, ordinances, codes and related planning. Respond to questions concerning zoning and subdivision regulations, procedures and timeframes. Interpret city policies and procedures in customer friendly terms. Follow-up with customer concerns.

Safety Requirements Knowledge: Familiar with safety requirements of the job and general work area and follows all safety procedures. Identifies and reports workplace hazards.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Planning or a related field from an accredited college or university is required. Master's Degree is strongly preferred.
• AICP Certification is strongly preferred.
• A minimum seven (7) years experience in planning is required.

Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the responsibilities listed above may also be considered.

Work Schedule

The base schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, regular office hours; however, this exempt position will frequently be involved in, and required to be available for or attend activities and events that occur in the evening, and on weekends and holidays. This position will be required to attend night meetings, and may attend overnight seminars and conferences.

Additional Statements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. The City of Shawnee reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities of job descriptions to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. The job description is not a contract or guarantee of employment.

The City of Shawnee complies with federal and state equal opportunity laws. It is the City's policy to provide an equal employment opportunity for all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, socioeconomic status, genetic information, citizenship, veteran status or familial status, or any other basis protected by state or federal law, in regard to hire, training, promotion, transfer, layoff, dismissal, discipline and other conditions of employment. If reasonable accommodation is necessary to apply or further information if needed, please contact Human Resources at (913) 742-6253.