What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planner position at City of Victoria, TX?
JOB SUMMARY
Under general supervision, the Planner reviews plats, site plans, landscaping plans, plot plans, and other types of development plans to ensure conformance with City codes.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Reviews plats, site plans, landscaping plans, plot plans, and other types of development plans to ensure conformance with City codes; coordinates with other departments to resolve development issues that span across the expertise of multiple departments; works with customers to discuss inconsistencies between plans and codes and discusses resolutions to any issues that arise.
- Prepares all documentation required for the City's Planning Commission and City Council to consider new development items to include notices, staff reports, agendas, minutes, and presentations; presents project materials to the Planning Commission for approval.
- Meets with prospective customers to discuss applicable regulations to proposed projects; drafts legal agreements for shared parking and easement facilities, as needed; answers customer questions related to City codes; sends documents clarifying parking, landscaping, site plan, and other specifications.
- Assists with long-range City planning functions; participates in the City's Complete Count Committee by analyzing and recommending revisions to City ordinances, writing proposals for grants related to census outreach funding, drafting directories for districts in the City, proposing revisions to the department's fee schedule, creating handouts, and explaining development regulations to customers.
- Represents the Planning Department by assisting with Commercial Inspections for Occupancy; inspects properties changing use for compliance with site requirements, including requirements relevant to parking, driveways, screening fences, dumpster enclosures, and others; provides inspection results and suggestions for compliance or relocation as needed.
- Conducts final inspections of completed development sites to ensure compliance with the site's approved site plan; measures parking space dimensions, driveway dimensions, tree caliper and height, and dumpster enclosure height; inspects materials, drainage systems, light poles, and other items relevant to site requirements.
- Drafts and sends initial letters of code violations to property owners; serves as a liaison to the City's code staff; answers questions property owners regarding violations; discusses possible rectifications for the property violations; forwards cases to City Code Enforcement Officers for litigation if the issue is not corrected.
- Perform all additional job-related tasks as required or as they arise.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Work is performed in a standard office environment and at various projects sites throughout the City. While in the field may be exposed to inclement weather conditions and construction hazards.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:
- Relevant laws, regulations, municipal codes, and planning and development processes.
- Office policies, records management, GIS, and project management principles.
- Supervisory, critical thinking, conflict negotiation, and customer service skills.
- City planning, land development, and compliance evaluation.
- Professional interaction with staff, agencies, and the public.
- Reading, interpreting, and explaining technical documents, plans, and codes.
- Work organization, prioritization, and accurate data management.
- Effective communication, report preparation, and relationship building.
Minimum Education, Experience and Certification:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Urban Planning or closely related field required. Two (2) years of municipal planning experience preferred. Valid Texas driver’s license with driving record that meets City guidelines.
