Planner I

Description of responsibilities: • Respond to e-mails, phone calls, and in-person inquiries from the general public regarding various zoning, subdivision, historic preservation, land use, development, and code enforcement matters. • Communicate and interpret the city’s subdivision and zoning code to the general public, including development regulations for the city’s National Historic Landmark District. • Maintain essential records in digital and hardcopy format. • Keep minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission meetings. • Perform research, collect and analyze various statistical and/or technical data related to planning projects. • Interpret local, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines as they relate to assigned responsibilities and stay up-to-date on various legislative changes. • Provide assistance and information to city and county departments, contractors and the general public regarding a wide range of planning functions, and other related areas. • May assist in or conduct the review and monitoring of programs, projects and applications to ensure compliance with various codes, plans, agreements, agency policies and procedures, and rules and regulations. • May assist with developing code amendments, regulations, policies and procedures. • May participate in activities related to process improvement. • May consult with other departments or agencies on right-of-way issues • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, employees and the general public. • Maintain regular, predictable and punctual attendance during regularly scheduled work hours at assigned worksite. • Meet travel requirements of the position. • Perform the physical requirements of the position; work within the established working conditions of the position. • Work a flexible schedule, which may include evenings. • Perform other related duties as required. Additional Duties: • Receive, review, and process administrative and quasi-judicial land use applications, including Site Plan, Conditional Use Permit, Certificates of Appropriateness, Building Permit, and various Subdivision applications. • Review a wide variety of development and subdivision plans, including but not limited to conceptual, sketch, preliminary, final, site, grading, landscaping, floor, roof, architectural elevations, construction management, three-dimensional modeling, renderings, civil engineering, surveys, plats, easements. • Conduct onsite inspections of development, building, and subdivision projects prior to, during, and after demolition and construction. • Attend evening meetings when necessary, including Planning and Zoning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and City Council. • Write staff reports and memos to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and City Council evaluating proposed land use applications with city code and adopted guidelines and standards. • Give presentations to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and City Council. Required Experience/ Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree in city planning, architecture, engineering, historic preservation, or related field. • 0-3 years’ experience. Preferred Qualifications and Experience: • Master’s Degree in city planning, architecture, engineering, historic preservation, or related field. • American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification. • Experience with drafting and plan review. • Professional experience in historic preservation. • Bi-lingual Spanish speaking skills. • Experiences with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Required skills: • Graphic and statistical presentations. • Use and operation of a personal computer, applicable software, and geographical information systems. • Customer service, including handling sensitive and difficult issues with tact and patience. • Attention to detail and accuracy. • Time management, organization, and problem-solving. • Oral communication and interpersonal skills to explain rules and procedures clearly to the public. • Creative problem-solving to gather relevant information to solve practical problems and address citizen inquiries and concerns. • Working on several projects or issues simultaneously. • Effective written and verbal communication. This position is authorized to work remotely two (2) days per week, after approval and coordination with the employee’s supervisor.