Town Planner

Town of Shelburne

Job Description

Job Title Town Planner

Department: Planning & Zoning

Reports To: Planning & Zoning Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: 65,000-75,000

Prepared date: July 2024

SUMMARY

The Town Manager appoints the Planner as an assistant administrative officer under the Vermont Planning and Development Act, offering a unique opportunity for professional growth and development. This role is not just a job but a platform for you to enhance your skills and contribute to the community. The Town Planner plays a pivotal role in the Planning & Zoning Department and with the Development Review Board (DRB), providing clear, helpful assistance to prospective applicants, staff, and others. They issue zoning and other land use permits, coordinate the project review process, administer and enforce the zoning bylaws, and, depending upon skills, interest, and experience, assist the Town with other initiatives.

As a Town employee, you are expected to demonstrate commitment to excellence and positive

behavior toward all quality initiatives. Further, you must demonstrate a commitment to

teamwork and will promote and conform to all quality standards. Such standards include but are

not limited to core values and customer service values. You are expected to serve and participate

on teams when invited and continuously support co-workers who are serving on teams. You must be aware of all communications regarding team activities and quality initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Town Planner component of the position is responsible for carrying out the required duties while representing the Town professionally. You must ensure that the highest quality of customer service is provided as you carry out the following:

The DRB component of the position is pivotal in coordinating project review, including meeting with applicants, preparing clear, concise, analytical staff reports for the Development Review Board, working collaboratively with other departments regarding potential impacts on

infrastructure, as well as opportunities for synergistic problem-solving and coordinating

and facilitating staff meetings to review projects heading to DRB review.

·        Assists the Director, in partnership with the Planning Commission, to develop long-range strategic plans, including reviewing and updating the Town plan and amendments to the Town’s land use regulations.

·        Assists the director with research and data collection, preparing correspondence, memoranda, agendas, forms, and reports, and managing projects as assigned.

·        Provides staff support to the Shelburne Bike and Pedestrian Paths Committee and manages grants and projects related to their work.

·        Serves as the Town’s representative on the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission’s Transportation Advisory Committee.

·        In addition to managing their own projects, assist the Director with other planning projects as needed.

·        Advises landowners and applicants on municipal land use regulations and permit application processes and reviews zoning permit applications for approval.

·        Investigates and enforces violations of municipal land use regulations and inspections.

·        Administers the development review process and assists and advises applicants in preparing applications to the development review board, reviews applications for completeness, provides support for board hearings, and conducts inspections.  

·        Participate in Development Review Board meetings, providing clear, rational, and helpful

assistance and advice on all aspects of all matters before the Board.

·        Serves as the Town’s E-911 Coordinator.

·        Timely, accurate preparation and distribution of essential, required procedural

documents, such as agendas, meeting notices, and draft decisions.

·        Timely, complete, and accurate review and processing of permit applications and

maintenance of accurate and complete records of zoning activities and permits.

·        Provide clear, rational, helpful advice and interpretation of the Town’s zoning bylaws,

state statutes and other regulatory matters to the public, staff, and volunteers.

·        File appropriate reports to regional, state, and federal agencies.

·        Administrators and enforce the town bylaws and conduct inspections.

·        Assemble and analyze data and prepare brief informational reports.

·        Perform such other duties as the Planning Director or Town Manager may require.

·        Take individual responsibility for working in a safe manner and adhere to the Town’s

safety policies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty

satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or

ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with

disabilities to perform essential functions.

Ideal candidates for this position are expected to have:

Education: A bachelor’s degree in land use planning, public administration, transportation, engineering, natural resources, or a related field is required. Master’s degree preferred.  

Experience: Some experience in planning, public administration, transportation, engineering, natural resources, or a related field is preferred but not required. 2-5 years experience in related fields preferred.  

Other ideal requirements include:

·        Familiarity with municipal infrastructure.

·        Demonstrated ability to read and interpret site plans and other plans and documents

related to land use development.

·        Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Vermont land use law and zoning and

planning procedures or demonstrated ability to learn and apply the same.

·        Computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, and mapping.

·        A current, valid driver’s license.

·        Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to interact helpfully and

effectively work with other staff, the general public, and town boards/committees.

·        Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and quality-driven.

·        Demonstrated ability to excel in a team-oriented, customer-driven environment.

Excellent organizational skills and the ability to plan and prioritize work effectively

ensuring the completion of work and meeting deadlines.

·        Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

·        Demonstrated ability to be flexible and able to easily handle varying work assignments.

·        Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain internal and external customer service

·        relationships.

·        An excellent past work record.

·        Demonstrated initiative and, creativity, and problem-solving skills or strategies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an

employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable

accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential

functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to

finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is

occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to

25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and

the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee

encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations

may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

Occasionally work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

The Town of Shelburne is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and a strong sense of belonging in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. The Town of Shelburne makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and organization needs at the time.

BENEFITS:

MVP Health & Vision Insurance:

Health: Platinum Plan – Premium paid at 90% by the Town, with the employee contributing the remaining 10%; or Gold 3 HDHP Plan – Premium paid 100% by the Town

(With either Plan, the Town also reimburses the employee for the first ½ of the annual deductible.)

Vision: Vision 1 (Voluntary) Plan – Premium paid by the employee.

NE Delta Dental Dental Insurance – Premium paid 100% by the Town

Reliance Standard Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance – Premium paid 100% by the Town

Retirement – through the Vermont Municipal Employee’s Retirement System

Vacation & Sick Leave Accrual – 8 hours vacation & 8 hours sick time accrued each month (increases after 5 years of employment with the Town)

Personal Leave – 24 hours yearly (based on hire date)

Paid Holidays – 13 per year

Gym Membership – Free membership at the Shelburne Athletic Club for employees. Spouses, significant others, or family members living under the same roof are entitled to 25% off membership rates.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit your resume and completed employment application at (https://www.shelburnevt.org/237/Human-Resources) to Adam Backus, Town of Shelburne HR Assistant, abackus@shelburnevt.org.