What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planner I position at The City of Elkhart?
CITY OF ELKHART – JOB DESCRIPTION
DEPARTMENT
Development Services
POSITION
Planner I
DIVISION
Planning & Zoning
STATUS
Full-time
CATEGORY
Salaried, Up to $77,800
FLSA
Exempt
REPORTS TO
Assistant Director for Planning
DATE
2025
JOB SUMMARY
Perform and manage complex and sensitive professional planning projects, research and analysis and ensure compliance with the City Zoning Ordinance and perform other professional planning duties. Serves as lead for technical review, sign and zoning enforcement. Employee has significant impact on decisions and recommendations of the Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Parks Department.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the Technical Review Process for the City’s multiple departments
- Primary staff support to the Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals
- Provides staff support to the Parks Department
- Make decisions regarding selection of appropriate standards or ordinances.
- Reviews proposed site plans.
- Researches and prepares zoning and planning policies, studies, and master plans for the City.
- Updates the Comprehensive Plan.
- Updates land uses and zoning ordinance amendments.
- Prepares annexation reports
- Researches planning and zoning policy.
- Prepares basic planning studies and inventories.
- Prepares long-range and short-range planning projects and special projects as needed.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Knowledge of floodplain administration and permitting.
- Assists with issuing zoning clearances and sign permits.
- Assists with answering questions pertaining to zoning and other planning.
- Assists with reviews of proposed site plans and changes in land use upon request.
- Assists with providing census and planning information to the general public and governmental agencies.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration or closely related field.
- Master's Degree strongly desired.
- AICP preferred.
- Minimum of four years of comparable experience with a Master’s Degree counting as an equivalent of two (2) years of experience.
- Valid driver’s license is required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of urban planning and land use concepts.
- Knowledge of the Planning Acts of the State of Indiana.
- Knowledge of the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations.
- Knowledge of the Comprehensive Plan.
- Ability to write staff reports.
- Ability to maintain and develop a database.
- Ability to work independently and as a part of a departmental team.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND VISUAL SKILLS
- Ability to speak and write effectively.
- Ability to communicate effectively with the public, property owners and developers.
- Ability to drive a car.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Work is performed in a 40 plus hours per week standard office environment but will require out of office work involving site inspections and field sweeps.
POST OFFER TESTING REQUIRED
- The City of Elkhart is a Drug Free Workplace. Therefore successfully passing a post offer drug screen is required (random drug testing may be conducted after employment).
- Background checks producing acceptable BMV and criminal history reports required.
POLICY
STATEMENT
- The incumbent is required to possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities, and the physical, mental, and visual skills described in this job description to perform the principal duties, responsibilities and essential job functions.
- This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent. Principal duties and responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job and “other” duties and responsibilities include those that are considered incidental or secondary to the overall purpose of this job.
- This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by the Mayor. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.
Salary : $77,800
