What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Planner position at City of Soldotna?
JOB
The City of Soldotna has an immediate opening for an Associate Planner. To apply, complete the City application and attach a cover letter and resume.This position is open until filled, with the first review of applicants on 04/16/2025.Under the general direction of the Director of Economic Development and Planning, this role involves professional planning duties to support the City’s ongoing and future planning functions. It requires applying professional knowledge and skills to address municipal planning, zoning, and environmental issues. The position is responsible for preparing reports and plans, while also offering opportunities to exercise independent judgment in planning tasks and making technical determinations. Additionally, this role serves as the main point of contact for the public, developers, and internal departments, providing information, processing applications, and ensuring compliance to City ordinances.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Reviews development plans, documents, technical studies, and reports for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the Comprehensive Plan, codes, ordinances, and state law. Conducts research and prepares memos, letters, and staff reports, presenting findings and recommendations to department personnel and decision makers regarding development proposals. Analyzes statistical data, written materials, oral presentations, and related correspondence to produce informed planning and analytical conclusions. Responds to inquiries concerning zoning, land use, development, and City policies and standards as they pertain.Participates in the code compliance process by evaluating permit applications and ensuring compliance with conditions of approval.Attends public meetings as needed, which may occur in the evenings and on weekends.Prepares meeting materials and notices for Planning and Zoning Commission meetings and serves as the recorder of minutes for these meetings.Assists with administering the Storefront Improvement Grant Program.Maintains and updates the city’s Geographic Information System (GIS). Coordinates with Kenai Peninsula Borough regarding addressing, street names, and updates for GIS and tax roll information.Assists with general marketing and communication efforts for the City, including posting information on the City’s homepage and web pages related to the Economic Development and Planning department (no coding experience necessary), as well as on the City’s social media pages.Assists with the investigation and resolution of code enforcement activities as directed.Performs routine office tasks in designated program areas, including data entry, file management, copying and answering phone calls.Prepares public notices, mailers, and property owner verifications.Attends and participates in professional group meetings, training, seminars, and classes. Performs other related work as required and special projects as assigned.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Bachelor’s degree in city planning, community development, or related field and 1 year of professional experience within a municipal government or urban planning environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.Must have a valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.WORKING CONDITIONS: The work environment is typically in an indoor office setting and public meeting rooms, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. However, the employee will sometimes perform field work associated with site visits and require travel to other locations. Field work is performed outdoors in a varied working environment, typically during the day but occasionally in darkness, and sometimes in inclement weather and extreme temperatures. Attendance at evening meetings is required.PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, see hear, use hands, fingers, handle, feel or operate objects. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, or kneel. Employee must communicate clearly and effectively both orally, in person as well as on the telephone, and in writing. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds and is frequently required to drive to other locations. The employee is frequently required to operate office equipment, GIS, cameras and other electronic equipment in the field and office. The employee may occasionally be required to move tables and chairs to set up for meetings, post A-frame public notice signs on project sites, lift or move boxes of paper, and archive records for storage and retrieval. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The City of Soldotna is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.
The City of Soldotna has an immediate opening for an Associate Planner. To apply, complete the City application and attach a cover letter and resume.This position is open until filled, with the first review of applicants on 04/16/2025.Under the general direction of the Director of Economic Development and Planning, this role involves professional planning duties to support the City’s ongoing and future planning functions. It requires applying professional knowledge and skills to address municipal planning, zoning, and environmental issues. The position is responsible for preparing reports and plans, while also offering opportunities to exercise independent judgment in planning tasks and making technical determinations. Additionally, this role serves as the main point of contact for the public, developers, and internal departments, providing information, processing applications, and ensuring compliance to City ordinances.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Reviews development plans, documents, technical studies, and reports for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the Comprehensive Plan, codes, ordinances, and state law. Conducts research and prepares memos, letters, and staff reports, presenting findings and recommendations to department personnel and decision makers regarding development proposals. Analyzes statistical data, written materials, oral presentations, and related correspondence to produce informed planning and analytical conclusions. Responds to inquiries concerning zoning, land use, development, and City policies and standards as they pertain.Participates in the code compliance process by evaluating permit applications and ensuring compliance with conditions of approval.Attends public meetings as needed, which may occur in the evenings and on weekends.Prepares meeting materials and notices for Planning and Zoning Commission meetings and serves as the recorder of minutes for these meetings.Assists with administering the Storefront Improvement Grant Program.Maintains and updates the city’s Geographic Information System (GIS). Coordinates with Kenai Peninsula Borough regarding addressing, street names, and updates for GIS and tax roll information.Assists with general marketing and communication efforts for the City, including posting information on the City’s homepage and web pages related to the Economic Development and Planning department (no coding experience necessary), as well as on the City’s social media pages.Assists with the investigation and resolution of code enforcement activities as directed.Performs routine office tasks in designated program areas, including data entry, file management, copying and answering phone calls.Prepares public notices, mailers, and property owner verifications.Attends and participates in professional group meetings, training, seminars, and classes. Performs other related work as required and special projects as assigned.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Bachelor’s degree in city planning, community development, or related field and 1 year of professional experience within a municipal government or urban planning environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.Must have a valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.WORKING CONDITIONS: The work environment is typically in an indoor office setting and public meeting rooms, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. However, the employee will sometimes perform field work associated with site visits and require travel to other locations. Field work is performed outdoors in a varied working environment, typically during the day but occasionally in darkness, and sometimes in inclement weather and extreme temperatures. Attendance at evening meetings is required.PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, see hear, use hands, fingers, handle, feel or operate objects. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, or kneel. Employee must communicate clearly and effectively both orally, in person as well as on the telephone, and in writing. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds and is frequently required to drive to other locations. The employee is frequently required to operate office equipment, GIS, cameras and other electronic equipment in the field and office. The employee may occasionally be required to move tables and chairs to set up for meetings, post A-frame public notice signs on project sites, lift or move boxes of paper, and archive records for storage and retrieval. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The City of Soldotna is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.