Planning Services - Planner I, II, III

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Under general supervision, performs professional planning work related to land use, zoning, development review, community planning, and related planning programs. Conducts research and analysis, reviews development proposals, interprets and applies applicable laws, ordinances, policies, and regulations, and prepares reports and recommendations. Provides technical assistance to the public, applicants, consultants, and City boards and commissions and supports the development and implementation of plans, policies, programs, and regulations. SUPERVISION EXERCISED Planner I • This position does not exercise supervisory responsibility. Planner II • This position exercises no supervision and may function as a lead over lower-level staff on assigned projects. Planner III • This position exercises supervision over lower-level staff when assigned and may provide project leadership, technical direction, and staff development as authorized. IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES Planner I • Performs professional planning work involving land use, zoning, development review, and related planning activities under general supervision. • Provides technical assistance to applicants, property owners, developers, consultants, City staff, and the public regarding zoning, land use, development standards, and applicable plans, ordinances, policies, and regulations. • Reviews assigned development applications and plans, including site plans, zoning change requests, conditional use permits, variances, subdivision plats, and other land use applications, for completeness and compliance with applicable requirements. • Interprets applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures and provides information regarding zoning districts, permitted and conditional uses, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, signage, and other development standards. • Conducts research, field investigations, and site inspections; documents findings and assists with compliance and enforcement activities involving potential zoning violations or development deficiencies. • Prepares or assists with staff reports, public notices, maps, presentations, research summaries, and other materials for planning applications, public hearings, boards, commissions, and assigned planning projects. • Assists higher-level planning staff with comprehensive planning activities, planning studies, ordinance updates, and other planning initiatives and coordinates routine project information with applicants and professional consultants. • Operates a City vehicle to visit other work locations, conduct site inspections, post required notices, attend meetings and events, and perform other field-related planning activities. Planner II In addition to the duties and responsibilities of Planner I: • Independently reviews and evaluates moderately complex to complex development applications and proposals for compliance with applicable ordinances, zoning regulations, development standards, adopted plans, policies, and other requirements. • Processes complex commercial and mixed-use development proposals and exercises established approval authority for site plans and other development applications. • Conducts independent research and analysis involving land use, zoning, development, demographics, census information, tax base data, occupancy, and other community planning issues and develops professional recommendations. • Prepares and presents staff reports, planning studies, technical reports, maps, presentations, recommendations, and other professional materials for City staff, boards, commissions, and other decision-making bodies. • Evaluates planning and development issues involving multiple regulations, policies, technical considerations, or competing interests and identifies deficiencies, impacts, alternatives, and appropriate solutions. • Assists with the development, review, and maintenance of the Comprehensive Plan, zoning and subdivision regulations, land development regulations, ordinances, policies, and other long-range planning documents. • Coordinates assigned planning projects with applicants, consultants, City departments, outside agencies, boards and commissions, and other stakeholders; provides technical guidance to Planner I and other staff without exercising supervisory authority. Planner III In addition to the duties and responsibilities of Planner I and Planner II: • Performs advanced professional planning work involving complex land use, zoning, development, community planning, and policy issues and exercises a high degree of professional judgment. • Independently manages complex development applications and planning projects involving significant regulatory, technical, economic, environmental, policy, or community considerations. • Reviews and processes major land use and development proposals, including comprehensive plan amendments, zoning changes, annexations, site plans, subdivision plats, conditional use permits, variances, and related proposals. • Leads the preparation and implementation of comprehensive plans, area plans, land use studies, development regulations, zoning regulations, ordinances, policies, and other long-range planning initiatives. • Conducts advanced research and analysis and prepares comprehensive technical reports, recommendations, presentations, and other professional planning documents for City staff, boards, commissions, City Council, and other decision-making bodies as assigned. • Coordinates complex planning projects involving multiple City departments, governmental agencies, consultants, developers, property owners, community stakeholders, and other partners; evaluates consultant proposals, scopes of work, and technical studies as assigned. • Provides advanced technical guidance, mentoring, and professional assistance to planning staff and, when assigned, supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned staff. OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES Performs other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Planner I Knowledge of: • Principles and practices of community planning, land use planning, zoning, development review, and subdivision regulations. • Applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures related to planning and development. • Basic research, data collection, statistical, algebraic, and geographic concepts applicable to planning. • Planning-related computer applications and technology, including GIS, Microsoft Office, and other software used in planning activities. Planner II • Advanced principles and practices of community planning, land use planning, zoning, development review, subdivision regulations, comprehensive planning, and long-range planning. • Federal and state laws, regulations, and programs applicable to urban planning, land use, development, and related municipal programs. • Research methodologies, data analysis, planning project coordination, and applicable GIS, mapping, database, and visualization technologies. Planner III • Advanced principles, practices, philosophies, and techniques of community planning, land use, zoning, subdivision, comprehensive planning, community development, and related disciplines. • Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and programs affecting land use, development, zoning, and community planning. • Advanced research methodologies, project management principles, stakeholder engagement, consultant coordination, and planning-related technology. Skill to: Planner I • Reviewing planning and development documents for completeness and conformance with established requirements. • Conducting research, organizing information, preparing written materials, and communicating clearly with technical and non-technical audiences. Planner II • Interpreting and applying complex laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and adopted plans. • Evaluating complex development proposals, analyzing competing interests, and preparing professional reports and recommendations. • Presenting technical information and professional recommendations effectively to boards, commissions, City staff, applicants, consultants, and the public. Planner III • Analyzing complex planning, land use, zoning, development, and policy issues and developing sound professional recommendations. • Managing complex planning studies, development applications, comprehensive planning initiatives, and other major planning projects. • Preparing and presenting comprehensive technical reports, policy recommendations, and professional planning documents to technical and non-technical audiences. • Providing advanced technical guidance, mentoring, project leadership, and supervision when specifically assigned. Ability to: Planner I • Apply basic planning principles and professional judgment to assigned planning and development matters. • Analyze information, identify relevant issues, and develop practical recommendations. • Work independently within established guidelines while recognizing when guidance or additional review is appropriate. • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally. • Operate a motor vehicle safely and in accordance with applicable laws and City policies. • Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Planner II • Independently perform professional planning assignments involving moderate to complex issues and exercise sound professional judgment. • Coordinate projects involving multiple stakeholders, departments, and areas of expertise and manage competing priorities and deadlines. • Provide technical guidance and assistance to Planner I and other staff while working within established supervisory structures. • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally. • Operate a motor vehicle safely and in accordance with applicable laws and City policies. • Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Planner III • Perform advanced professional planning work independently and exercise a high degree of professional judgment. • Manage complex planning assignments from initiation through completion, coordinate resources and stakeholders, evaluate alternatives, and develop recommendations. • Lead planning initiatives and effectively represent the Planning Division before City boards and commissions, City Council, community organizations, professional organizations, and other public forums as assigned. • Provide professional guidance and mentoring to less-experienced planning staff and exercise supervisory responsibilities when specifically assigned and within established City policies and procedures. • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally. • Operate a motor vehicle safely and in accordance with applicable laws and City policies. • Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Experience and Training Guidelines: For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through: Experience: Planner I • Entry-level professional position. No prior professional planning experience is required. • Experience through internships, academic projects, volunteer work, or other related activities may be considered beneficial but is not required. Planner II • Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, including experience in land use, zoning, development review, community planning, or a related planning field. Experience should demonstrate the ability to independently perform professional planning assignments, analyze development proposals, interpret applicable regulations, conduct research, and prepare professional reports and recommendations. Planner III • Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience at a level comparable to Planner II, including experience with complex development review, comprehensive or long-range planning, land use policy, ordinance or regulation development, planning studies, or other advanced professional planning assignments. Experience should demonstrate advanced professional judgment, the ability to manage complex planning projects, develop recommendations on significant planning issues, and provide technical guidance to less-experienced staff. Education/Training: Planner I • High school diploma or GED required. • An Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, city and regional planning, urban studies, geography, public administration, architecture, or a closely related field is preferred. • Relevant coursework, training, internships, or other educational experience in planning, zoning, land use, development review, GIS, or a related field is preferred. Planner II • Additional coursework, professional training, or continuing education in land use, zoning, development review, comprehensive planning, GIS, or a related planning discipline is preferred. Planner III • Additional professional education, advanced coursework, or specialized training in land use, zoning, comprehensive planning, urban design, economic development, affordable housing, GIS, or another relevant planning discipline is preferred. License or Certificate: Planner I • A Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required. Planner II and Planner III • Must possess an ICC Zoning Inspector certification or other comparable zoning, planning, or development-related professional certification approved by the City at the time of appointment. Special Requirements: • Must be able to conduct field inspections and site visits, including walking over uneven terrain, accessing active development sites, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions. Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday: ___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds ___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds _X_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds ___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds ___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task: Codes for how often: N = No E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time) M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time) I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time) A = Almost Never (<10% of the time) I Standing E Sitting M Walking A Lifting I Carrying I Pushing/Pulling I Overhead Work M Fine Dexterity M Kneeling M Crouching A Crawling M Bending M Twisting A Climbing M Balancing E Vision E Hearing E Talking N Other: