PLANNER I

General Statement of Duties

Land Use and Building Department is seeking an entry level Planner in professional position responsible for processing development applications and implementing the Zoning and Development Ordinance under general direction from the Land Use and Building Director. The employee remains informed of all federal, state, and local regulations related to planning activities to promote general health, welfare, and safety in Elmore County with integrity and professionalism.

Classification Summary

This is an entry-level professional position in the Land Use and Building Department of Elmore County. The primary functions of this job are to:

• Process development applications and provide information to the public in administration of the Zoning and Development Ordinance;
• Serve as the technical expert for the public, agencies, and other team members on all planning matters;
• Prepare all public hearing notices, publication records, and newspaper legal notices per department’s procedures and checklists; and
• Present staff reports and recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of County Commissioners Meetings.

The principal duties of the position are performed in a general office environment, with some field inspection of project sites. This classification requires administration and coordination of planning applications per guidelines established in the Local Land Use and Planning Act (LLUPA or Idaho Code Title 67, Chapter 65) and Zoning and Development Ordinance. An employee in this classification manages their time independently and coordinates their assignments with other team members, agencies, county staff, and general public in review of the development applications. Attendance at evening meetings is required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepares, processes, and presents land use and development applications;
• Conducts research using various methods and resources to correctly process all assigned development applications and prepare recommendations;
• Prepares agendas, staff reports, and all other pertinent information for all regular or special meetings of the Planning and Zoning Commission;
• Uses available studies of regional geographic, population, land-use, zoning, infrastructure, economic, and agricultural characteristics in review of planning applications;
• Assists in developing geographic database structure, tables, forms, and reports;
• Reviews administrative decisions requests and prepares necessary information for presentation to the Land Use and Building Director;
• Assists the Director and Planning and Zoning Commission in updating the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance;
• Provides information in the preparation of the annual budget as requested by the Director;
• Develops and delivers reports and presentations to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of County Commissioners, and public groups concerning planning policies, projects and compliance issues;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Conducts oral presentations and public hearings/meetings to inform the public of proposed community development activities, as needed;
• Keeps Director and other team members fully and accurately informed concerning their assignments and discuss potential concerns and solutions for new and improved ways of addressing them;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate department and
• agencies to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental and interagency operations and activities;
• Performs any special assignments as requested by the Director;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with Elmore County policies, procedures, and safety practices;
• Performs any other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Municipal planning, zoning, and building activities;
• Relevant federal, state, and local ordinances, regulations and codes;
• General principles and techniques of research, data collection, and analysis;
• Land surveying, engineering, building construction, and public works operations;
• Comprehensive and current planning principles, procedures, techniques, and their implementation;
• Development regulations concerning land use and environmental matters;
• Administrative procedures and practices used in the planning decision-making processes;
• Data collection, analysis, and forecasting;
• Database management and budgeting;
• Subdivision platting, parcel legal descriptions and basic surveying principles.

Skills and Ability to:

• Identify problems presented from the public and to resolve conflicts;
• Interpret and explain administrative procedures, codes and ordinances;
• Prepare accurate reports, plans, and studies;
• Conduct analytical research and present research results effectively;
• Interpret and apply broad standards and policies;
• Demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communications;
• Apply mathematical reasoning and special orientation;
• Operate computers, printers, plotters, copiers, fax machines, telephones and other office equipment;
• Read and interpret graphs, charts, plans, diagrams, and maps;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with developers, economic development organizations, citizen groups, and the general public;
• Communicate professionally, effectively and courteously with the general public, supervisor, co-workers, and County staff;
• Write reports clearly to convey technical information to the general public and others;
• Show flexibility with work schedule to allow attendance at evening meetings;
• Learn and apply new skills and knowledge in a rapidly changing environment;
• Operate a personal computer using standard or customized software application appropriate to assigned tasks including Microsoft Suite;
• Make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations, and established procedures.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• High school diploma/GED with background in general office skills; and
• One-year experience in planning and zoning, public administration, GIS, or other related fields; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in planning, public administration, geology, or other related filed or other training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Special Qualifications

• Valid Idaho Driver’s License Required

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communications capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials, and maps;
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office setting and conduct occasional field inspections in an outdoor environment under adverse weather conditions and rugged terrain.