What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Planner position at City of Westerville?
This position is open until filled. Applications are being reviewed as they are received.
Westerville is a vibrant city of more than 40,000 residents and a leader in job creation in the region. The community boasts 41 parks and a recently expanded, state-of-the-art, indoor recreation facility. Westerville, commonly referred to as “a city within a park”, operates an accredited, nationally recognized Parks & Recreation system. Westerville’s strategic location, coupled with its innovative spirit and full offering of attractively priced municipal utilities, has made it a leading choice for new and expanding businesses. If this sounds like a community you want to be a part of, apply now!
This is a professional planner position expected to complete a full spectrum of planning activities, research, and analyses. Work involves analyzing data and issues, preparing reports, coordinating between all City departments, answering customer inquiries, and making presentations to members of the public, boards and commissions and City Council, and supporting the Planning Division within the Planning and Development Department. This position must be able to interpret the Westerville Codified Ordinances, gather reliable information, and interact effectively with the public, boards and commissions and other City departments. This position may be used as a subject matter expert on one or more specialized planning focus areas (long range planner, historic preservation, housing, transportation planning, etc.).
Work is performed under the general direction of the Planning Manager. Employee must be able to interpret the Westerville Codified Ordinances, gather reliable information, and interact effectively with the public and other City departments. Work is reviewed through regular meetings for adherence to policies and procedures as well as annual performance evaluations.
(May not include all duties performed)
Responds to inquiries from the public regarding ordinances and subdivision regulations.
Interacts and communicates regularly with the general public.
Handles citizen concerns and complaints via telephone, email, and in person meetings.
Reviews development plans, site plans, and zoning certificates for compliance with City codes, applicable municipal regulations, plans and goals; works with customers to resolve conflicts in plans and the established policies, standards, and codes.
Attends meetings with applicants to support zoning applications; completes research and provides assistance in the preparation of application presentations, development evaluation reports, draft sections of text, relevant maps, exhibits, and display materials.
Develops recommendations, correspondence, presentations and reports regarding planning and development issues to help guide board and commission decision-making and overall community development. Recommendations will be based upon data gathered, trend analysis, design solutions and best practices.
Drafts sections of planning and zoning documents, writes and edits technical reports, planning document text and other correspondence in order to communicate analysis results and planning information to City staff, applicants, policy-maker, and the public.
Conducts assigned planning projects involving land use, populations, structures, economic activity, housing, transportation, environmental, and related subjects.
Regularly attends evening and weekend meetings (Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Uptown Review Board, City Council); may serve as a secretary of a board or commission as assigned.
Conducts site/field inspections.
Compiles files as requested to complete records requests.
Follows planning trends and best practices.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Bachelor’s degree in city or regional planning or related field; and two years’ experience in public sector planning and zoning; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:
Considerable knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of land use, municipal and long-range comprehensive planning.
Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local zoning ordinances, codes, laws, rules and regulations which guide municipal planning processes.
Considerable knowledge and understanding of the role of the planning and legal precedence in modern municipal government.
Knowledge of computer programs necessary for the planning field, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS); ability to conduct research on sites such as census.gov.
Ability to represent the department before the public in a professional manner.
Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and site plans.
Ability to communicate effectively with the general public, City staff, and elected and appointed officials both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, other employees, builders, developers, property owners, and contractors.
Ability to work on several projects and issues simultaneously.
Ability to maintain complete records and documentation of action.
Knowledge of urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, historic preservation principles, and sustainable practices.
Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well-defined planning problems.
Salary : $67,454 - $101,067
