LEVEL I or II depending on experience

PLANNER I

Job Summary:

The position of Planner I is the entry-level position within professional planning. A bachelor's degree or a master's degree is usually required, depending on the hiring organization. It is distinguished from the Planning Assistant position because it involves professional-level duties and judgment, and fewer routine administrative tasks. This position level receives considerable immediate supervision from senior planners.

Typical Functions:

• Reviews or assists in the review of moderately simple development proposals and site plans for conformance with codes, plans, and regulations
• Prepares and presents detailed reports on development proposals to government bodies
• Assists in the evaluation of rezonings, ordinance amendments, site plans, special use permits, variances and other proposals
• Coordinates community review of public and private development projects
• Provides information to the public regarding development regulations
• Assists in resolving citizen and customer issues
• Conducts field evaluations and assessments
• Attends substantial number of evening and weekend meetings

Typical Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning and zoning
• Knowledge of a relevant specialization such as transportation, land use, or affordable housing is desired
• Knowledge of principles and practices of research and data collection
• Knowledge of effective writing techniques
• Statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, and GIS

Typical Skills:

• Oral communication and interpersonal skills to explain rules and procedures clearly to the public
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed
• Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind
• Ability to review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions
• Ability to create graphic designs, development strategies, and render site plans via sketches and/or computer graphics highly desirable.
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems

Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma/GED; with some knowledge and a strong desire and ability to learn planning functions. Experience in a planning related field is preferred, but not necessary. Must possess a valid Arkansas State Driver’s License.

Skills/Experience: Must be highly organized, self-disciplined, and motivated. Must possess excellent communications skills and be able to interact well with the public and fellow employees. Accuracy is extremely important.

Must possess a working knowledge of and the ability to efficiently use a computer, copier /fax machine and multi-line phone system. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite essential. Must be able to clearly and accurately generate written documents, and verbal communication.

Work Environment: Occasional high stress, heavy workload, deadlines, fast pace. The employee must be able to perform routine tasks normally associated with an office setting. The noise level is moderate, and the lifting requirements are minimal.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time position of typically 40 hours per week; Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with evening meetings 2-3 times per month. This position may require longer hours as business demands.

PLANNER II

Job Summary

The position of Planner II requires professional municipal planning of moderate difficulty. It is characterized by increasingly specialized knowledge of the planning field and a more elevated level of required duties and responsibilities compared with the Planner I/Planning Assistant. The Planner is expected to possess knowledge of zoning and development regulations along with one or more planning specialties such as economic development, comprehensive planning, or environmental planning. Planners at this level receive somewhat less immediate supervision when compared to the Planning Assistant or Planner I.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Interprets and applies applicable state, county and local codes, ordinances and regulations
• Initiates actions necessary to correct deficiencies or violations of regulations
• Conducts review of various development submittals including subdivision plats, large scale site plans, variance requests, conditional use, rezonings and all other planning and zoning related applications.
• Conducts extensive research in specific or general project areas
• Writes and presents formal and technical reports, working papers, and correspondence
• Assists engineers, surveyors, architects, developers, real estate agencies, attorneys, abstract offices, landowners and the general public in understanding and complying with the city regulations and department policies.
• Assists with updates and maintenance of Comprehensive Plan, zoning and land development regulations
• Assists in writing, a variety of ordinances and regulations relating to development controls
• Attends substantial number of evening and weekend meetings

Typical Knowledge

• Well-developed knowledge of local, state, and federal planning principles and practices.
• In-depth knowledge of one or more planning specialization, such as economic development, transportation planning, or environmental planning
• Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection
• Knowledge of effective writing techniques
• Knowledge of or experience in community remediation and redevelopment, and knowledge of relevant Federal programs
• Statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, GIS, or special use programs.

Typical Skills

• High degree of analytical and interpretive thinking is required
• Oral communication and interpersonal skills to present findings to various boards and committees
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well- defined practical problems
• Ability to review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions
• Ability to read and understand technical materials such as local, state, and federal laws
• Group facilitation skills for use with community workshops
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed
• Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

The Planner II level generally requires a 4-year degree in urban planning, architecture, public policy, or related area of study with two years of experience in the planning profession, or the equivalent thereof. Must possess a valid Arkansas State Driver’s License.

Working Relationships

The Planner II has daily contact with the other city staff, public, and planning field-related professionals which requires a high degree of demonstrated competence and professionalism.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The following list contains the essential function required of a person filling the Planner II position. This description is intended to describe the kinds of task and level of difficulty being performed by the person assigned to this classification:

· Must be able to operate two-wheel and four-wheel drive City vehicle in both day/nighttime conditions and all weather and road and project site conditions.

· Must be able and willing to work long hours, weekends, late nights and holidays when necessary.

· Must be able to squat, bend over at the waist, and perform other physical movements necessary to traverse property, in wooded, grassy areas, non-paved roads, and undeveloped lands.

· Travel by foot across all types of terrain to access areas under construction in all outside weather conditions.

· Must be willing and able to attend regularly held meetings outside of normal office hours.

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

· The employee must be able to perform routine tasks normally associated with an office setting. The noise level is moderate, and the lifting requirements are minimal.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Fairly high stress, heavy workload, deadlines, fast pace. The employee must be able to perform routine tasks normally associated with an office setting. The noise level is moderate, and the lifting requirements are minimal.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK: This is a full-time position of typically 40 hours per week; Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with 2-3 evening meetings per month. This position may require longer hours as business demands.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $23.63 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person

Application Question(s):

• At least 2 years of planning and zoning experience.

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person