Assistant Planner – Full-Time Job Opportunity

POSITION TITLE: Assistant Planner

DEPARTMENT(S): Planning and Development

REPORTS TO: Planning and Development Director

POSITION SUMMARY: The Associate Planner is a full-time, exempt position in the planning and development department. The Associate Planner’s primary role is to work with other planning staff to research land use policy and other planning issues, assist senior planning staff on planning studies and public involvement activities, as well as provide first-line support in customer service while developing their professional planning skills. The Associate Planner reports to the Planning and Development Director.

POSITION DUTIES:

• Assist with policy research and analysis on a variety of planning department projects.
• Assist with development review and public involvement activities.
• Further develop their professional planning skills while providing first class customer service.
• Perform grant research and administration
• Communicates with individual citizens, community groups, government agencies, and developers.
• Applies skills, knowledge and planning experience on a variety of projects.
• Conducts research and prepares reports on a variety of data including census information, land use information, as well as other physical, social and economic issues related to community and economic development.
• Performs field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and to verify that development projects comply with approved plans.
• Assists in the evaluation of zoning applications, ordinance amendments, site plans, CDB and TCO design review, special use permits, variances and other development proposals.
• Develops planning studies and reports in support of new and updated plans, programs and regulations.
• Assists in the review of development proposals and site plans for conformance with codes, plans, and regulations.
• Prepares and presents detailed reports on development proposals.
• Provides information to the public regarding land use regulations.
• Assists in resolving citizen and customer issues.
• Attends evening and weekend meetings.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

To sufficiently perform the job requirements for the Associate planner role, he or she must possess the mental development, interpersonal awareness, and technical skills to:

• Demonstrate effective oral communication and interpersonal skills to explain rules and procedures clearly to the public.
• Demonstrate effective written communication.
• Apply creative problem-solving to gather relevant information to solve practical problems and address citizen inquiries and concerns.
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed.
• Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind.
• Ability to facilitate in-person and virtual public participation activities.
• Apply skills and knowledge to review plans and field conditions to determine compliance with regulations.
• Apply skills and knowledge of the principles and practices of planning.
• Apply skills, knowledge and experience of principles and practices of research and data collection.
• Apply skills, knowledge and experience of basic statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations.
• Apply skills, knowledge and experience in principles, practices and techniques of planning, urban design, economic development or land use.
• Operate Microsoft Office software and other commonly used office information and computer technology.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of Associate planner, the employee primarily works indoors but periodically works outdoors and may be exposed to moderate temperature extremes, wet or humid conditions and potential dust from construction activity. He or she is regularly required to speak, listen and walk on level ground as well as unstable development sites. Regular attendance at evening meetings and some weekend meetings is required.

SUPERVISION: The Associate Planner reports directly to the Planning and Development Director and does not supervise other employees. This position will be expected to work with all city staff, consultants and customers representing the city’s regulatory and public interest.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelors Degree in Planning or related field
• Valid Georgia driver’s license is required.
• Ability to obtain and hold certifications required for environmental regulation, code compliance and other minimum housing standards as well as credentials through the Georgia Planning Association.

View Full Job Description (PDF)

Applications accepted at City Hall, City of Sugar Hill, ATTN: Jane Whittington, City Clerk, 5039 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, Georgia 30518, or emailed to jwhittington@cityofsugarhill.com. Application forms and background release are available at the link below: