Principal Planner

This position has the responsibility for coordinating the City’s land use and development planning and policy program. This work involves researching, analyzing, developing, and proposing City land use planning and development policies, plans, and ordinances for consideration by the Planning Commission, Mayor, and City Council. This work requires considerable independence, initiative, and seasoned judgment, and involves extensive public contact including representing the City to Regional, State, and Federal entities and agencies.

Essential Job Functions

• Overall responsibility for coordinating the development of citywide comprehensive land use planning and development policy in collaboration with other City departments including but not limited to: maintenance and updates to the City’s municipal development plan (planBTV) and area-specific and resource/issue-specific plans in collaboration with other City departments and in coordination with local and regional constituent groups; supports amendments to the City’s comprehensive development ordinance; works with Planning Commission, City Attorney, City Council, and others to obtain enactment of plans and policies; coordinates the collection of data regarding development trends independently and in collaboration with the department’s data analytics team; and formulates and leads public outreach and engagement activities.
• Assists in the preparation of land use and development regulations, capital plans and other implementation measures led by the department or other City departments resulting from comprehensive planning efforts; and works with Planning Commission, City Attorney, City Council, and others to obtain their enactment.  Serves as lead staff to the Burlington Planning Commission with responsibility for the administration of Commission functions.  Reviews the development plans of other city departments, state and regional agencies, institutions, and adjoining municipalities for coordination with city development policy and assessment of potential impact on city objectives.  Serves as a technical and policy resource regarding land use and development issues, as well as proposed State and Federal legislation, to other city officials and departments including the Mayor, City Council, City Attorney, City Assessor, Dept. of Public Works, Burlington Electric Department, the Community Economic and Development Office, and Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront.
• Serve as a technical resource to a variety of citizen advisory boards and commissions, Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPA’s), individual citizens, and others regarding land use and development issues.  Contribute to the department’s efforts to sustain a culture of continuous improvement and improving quality and effectiveness of governmental services.
• Solicits and administers state and federal grants for planning and related activities.
• May represent the City in litigation related to land use and development planning and policy, and prepares and submits testimony on behalf of the City before State legislative committees, State Boards, Commissions, and Federal agencies.
• Maintains positive public relations in providing information, soliciting community input, and handling public concerns at all times.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications / Basic Job Requirements

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.

Educational/Professional Requirements:

• Masters Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Engineering, Public Administration, or closely related field, and a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in municipal or regional planning either as a regular employee or contractor is required.
• OR A Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Engineering, Public Administration, or closely related field, and a minimum of seven (7) years experience in municipal or regional planning either as a regular employee or contractor.  American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is required within one year of hiring date. Failure to achieve certification may result in reclassification of the position and associated salary impacts.

Workplace Skills

• Direct experience in technical research, development of long-range plans and policy documents and regulations, and project management is required, as is a demonstrated ability to oversee and monitor professional consulting contracts and the work of interns and support staff.
• Direct experience managing the creation of comprehensive development ordinances, including wholesale replacement of previously existing regulations.
• A strong background in urban design and a commitment to sustainable development practices is preferred.
• A strong background in equitable community education, outreach and engagement is required, as is a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively graphically, orally, and in writing to a wide range of audiences.  Working knowledge of a variety of software applications including ESRI GIS products, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office suite and/or Office 365 applications and/or other computer applications applicable to planning practice, analysis, and research. Experience using social media for communicating about projects and soliciting community engagement, and use of Rhino, AutoCAD, Giraffe, Sketch-Up and/or other visualization tools are a plus.,
• Demonstrated professionalism, tact, and discretion in addressing controversial and emotionally charged issues, and the ability to establish and maintain positive and effective employee and public relations.
• Ability to obtain working knowledge of development (zoning and subdivision) regulations, and pertinent state and local regulations, and to read development plans and other technical planning documents.
• Knowledge of and experience with project management principles and practices, and ability to facilitate interdepartmental work efforts, problem solving, and planning activities.
• Ability to work independently, manage, and prioritize multiple initiatives, and to engage in collaborative decision making are essential.
• Interest in contributing to the City of Burlington, and improving the quality and effectiveness of governmental services.
• Commitment to on-going professional education and training to enhance job-based knowledge and expertise, as well as commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Frequent attendance at evening, and sometimes weekend, meetings is required.

Contact Information

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