Senior Planner

Senior Planner, Planning and Zoning

Salary Range: $65,203 - $102,870 Great Benefits!

POSITION PURPOSE

The Senior Planner position is to provide highly responsible administrative support in the Planning and Zoning department. Responsibilities include performing short- and long-range planning and zoning activities. Responsibilities will include research, analysis, designing and facilitating community planning processes, while consulting as the staff liaison for the Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, the Board of Adjustment and Site Plan Review. Work is performed under the direction of the Director of Planning and Zoning.

NATURE AND SCOPE OF POSITION

The Senior Planner will act as lead staff on the research and analysis of techniques and practices of urban and regional planning. This position is also the lead reviewer on current planning applications, such as annexations, zonings, variances, waivers, ordinance amendments, special use permits and conditional use permits. This position also provides project management for grants and other department projects/studies. The majority of the tasks completed by this position are varied and of a moderate to high level of complexity. The tasks require originality and creativity and almost often require the incumbent to compare alternative courses of action and make choices and decisions.

Work is performed both in the office and in the field and involves considerable contact with the public and other persons engaged in building construction, property maintenance, commercial business operations and ordinance enforcement activities.

The position reports directly to the Director of Planning and Zoning and maintains a close working relationship with other departments and officials of the City as required.

A review of this job description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This position is required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the position it reports to.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Current & Long-Range Planning
  • Performs advanced professional work related to a variety of planning assignments
  • Prepares text amendments to various codes and ordinances
  • Manages complex planning studies, development applications and reviews consultant proposals
  • Reviews and processes complex comprehensive plan amendments, rezonings, annexations, site plans, plats, etc.
  • Conducts research and prepares statistical reports on land use, physical, social & economic issues
  • Completes special projects as directed by supervisor
  • Assists in updating the City's Comprehensive Plan.
  • Researches and prepares amendments and updates to all planning related documents.

• Advisory Board Oversight
  • Prepares agenda items for the Department on zoning, annexation, and related matters.
  • Coordinates all activities associated with the Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and Board of Adjustment, including mailouts
  • Schedules and conducts meetings with advisory boards
  • Serves as department liaison with Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and Board of Adjustment.
  • Prepares and makes presentations to the Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Board of Adjustment and to the public (civic associations, home owner associations, professional groups, etc)

• Project Management
  • Performs field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and/or to verify that development projects comply with approved plans
  • Prepares Requests for Proposals (RFP's) for grant-related projects; coordinates projects with consultants, engineers and prospective bidders
  • Coordinates and monitors various planning programs for the City, in conjunction with associated agencies.
• Miscellaneous
  • Supervises more junior planners within the department
  • Coordinates department projects with other departments and state agencies
  • Writes monthly articles for the department newsletter on current planning cases and long-range planning projects
  • Responds to professionals and citizenry questions
  • Attends professional meetings, seminars and training classes and reports back to the department
  • Performs other related duties as directed, required, or which are obvious

MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of experience, training, and education which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job will be considered.

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, environmental design or related field from an accredited college or university required; Master's degree in an appropriate field preferred
• Two to four years of professional-experience in planning, community development, or related work with a Master's degree in an appropriate field; three to five years of professional-experience in planning, community development, or related work with a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field or Master's degree in an unrelated field.
• Professional certification with the American Institute of Certified Planners is preferred. If the incumbent does not possess this certification, he/she should be able to obtain it within one year of assuming the position.
• Written/spoken fluency in a foreign language is beneficial, particularly Spanish, Korean, or Chinese.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) required for satisfactory performance of the job duties and responsibilities at a "Fully Proficient Level". Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge Required:

•Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices, terminology and techniques of urban and regional planning
•Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as urban design, affordable housing, land use, etc.
•Knowledge of principles and techniques of economic and industrial development
•Knowledge and experience in the principles, methodology, and practices of research and data collection
•Knowledge of City of University City, St. Louis County, and State of Missouri development regulations, ordinances, zoning and land-use policies
•Knowledge of governmental regulatory codes and construction practices pertaining to infrastructure development and building construction
•Knowledge of basic techniques of residential and commercial construction and construction management
•Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, such as Microsoft Office, Internet applications and GIS
•Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county and city laws, ordinances, rules and regulations (including Missouri Sunshine Laws and Open Meetings requirements)
•Knowledge of the geography, road network, public buildings and emergency facilities of the city

Skills Required:

•Excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects
•Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitation relationships with public
•Skills in creative problem-solving to gather relevant information and to solve less well ­defined planning problems
•Skill in group facilitation for use in community workshops
•Skill in the effective, efficient, and safe use of all tools and equipment used in the performance of their job

•Skill in proofreading
•Skill in driving vehicles under routine conditions, including driving in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow

Abilities Required:

•Ability to learn, understand, interpret, and carry out duties according to: federal, state, county and city laws, ordinances and administrative regulations; city and departmental policy, procedures, directives, rules and regulations; and external directives
•Ability to learn and use the City's software systems
•Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, maps, plats and site plans
•Ability to process information, applications and forms requiring accuracy, thoroughness and attention to detail
•Ability to assimilate information from a variety of sources (including the internet, printed materials, etc.) in order to analyze information, recommend courses of action, and complete required duties
•Ability to organize information for the employee's own use in their official capacity, and to present it to others for their use
•Ability to obtain information through observation and interview
•Ability to maintain accurate and detailed reports and records within filing systems
•Ability to operate all tools and equipment in an efficient, effective and safe manner
•Ability to observe and analyze situations quickly and objectively and, using good judgment, determine an effective and efficient course of action to be taken with due regard to the task, hazards, situation, and circumstance
•Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks in an effective, efficient manner in high pressure situations and under strict deadlines
•Ability to communicate well and have the ability to work in problem resolution situations
•Ability to think critically, problem solve and make decisions
•Ability to work well in a high-pressure, multi-tasked environment amid frequent interruptions and to redirect focus of attention to a task after an interruption
•Ability to attend to details, while keeping broad goals in mind
•Ability to assign priorities to tasks and to reassign priorities as the situation and circumstances change
•Ability to adapt to changes in work conditions
•Ability to analyze, plan and organize work
•Ability to understand and follow quickly and accurately, complex, oral, written or demonstrated instructions and procedures
•Ability to handle difficult situations in an effective, safe, timely and legal manner

•Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a courteous, tactful and fair manner with property owners, citizens, developers, builders and the general public under all conditions
•Ability to work with a diverse constituency, and business and development community
•Ability to work effectively as an individual and as a team member
•Ability to speak in front of various groups and make effective presentations
•Ability to plan, organize, and effectively present ideas and concepts to individuals and groups
•Ability to read, speak, write and spell using standard American English grammar
•Ability to prepare routine correspondence and write clear, complete, concise, accurate, comprehensive and effective reports in a timely manner
•Ability to write and/or type orders, forms, reports, letters, memos and correspondence from long hand, rough draft or oral instructions.
•Ability to recall and relate details of incidents in order to prepare written reports and present information to concerned parties
•Ability to perform mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy
•Ability to give accurate directions
•Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
•Ability to assert self appropriately
•Ability to accept responsibility, acknowledge mistakes and share successes
•Ability to perform computer related functions
•Ability to properly handle confidential information

EQUIPMENT OPERATIONS

•Personal computer or laptop
•Automobile
•Digital Camera
•Related inspection equipment & devices
•Computer hardware, particularly desktop/laptop personal computer, printer, scanner
•Computer software including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), GIS, and other software

Salary : $65,203 - $102,870