Planner I (X)

This position performs professional-level work in the field of planning, providing information and assistance to city officials, staff, developers, the business community, and the public on planning, zoning, housing, annexations, and development-related matters.

About the role

Planner I – This is the entry-level class in the Planner series. It is distinguished from Planner II by the performance of more routine tasks and may serve as a training class. Employees may remain at this level if their duties are primarily routine.

Planner II – This is the full journey-level class within the Planner series. Employees perform the full range of duties with minimal supervision and are fully aware of operating procedures and policies.

Receives general supervision from higher-level supervisory or management staff. May receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Planner.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes and compiles technical, statistical, and demographical information; makes recommendations; prepares and presents reports, maps, and other findings at meetings and public hearings.
• Prepares staff reports and maps for the Planning Commission, City Council, and various committees and advisory boards; assists in the preparation of public information notices.
• Responds to inquiries in a courteous manner; handles or assists with difficult inquiries; conducts research; provides information and explains regulations; investigates complaints and recommends corrective action.
• Participates in establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with community leaders, elected officials, staff of other departments, and other local agencies.
• Drafts ordinances or plan amendments.
• Provides technical assistance to other city staff.
• Oversees the processing of annexation petitions.
• Coordinates and conducts higher-level and more complex pre-application meetings; attends meetings as assigned; prepares documentation for meetings.
• Researches and writes reports, including maps and graphs, for special area plans and other projects; makes presentations at meetings and public hearings.
• Provides feedback regarding applications submitted to the Planning Commission.
• Accepts building permit applications from the public; checks plans and maps for compliance with zoning code requirements and approved discretionary entitlements; composes letters informing applicants of permit status.
• Reviews business license applications for compliance with zoning, approved discretionary entitlements, land use codes, and special requirements; confers with applicants to recommend corrective action, if needed.
• Collects fees for various applications, registration, licenses, and other documents; issues receipts for fees collected.
• Visits sites and takes photographs; performs inspections of properties and structures for compliance with approved conditions prior to issuing certificates of occupancy.
• Reviews development proposals and applications for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with appropriate regulations and policies; prepares reports on recommendations; issues permits.
• Performs background research on parcels of land; prepares correspondence or reports stating findings.
• Recommends and assists in developing policies, procedures, and planning regulations.
• Assigns residential, commercial, and industrial addresses; assigns suite numbers and unit numbers to residential and commercial developments; assigns block numbers to traffic signal plans.
• Performs various activities in support of the Historic Preservation Commission.
• Assists in recommending and developing policies, procedures, and planning regulations.

Requirements

Planner I

Experience: No professional planning experience is required. Completion of an internship in planning or a related field at a public agency is preferred.

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in planning, geography, landscape architecture, urban studies, engineering, sociology, or a related field. A combination of formal education and directly related work experience may substitute for the degree (1.5 years of full-time experience = 1 year of education).

Planner II

Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible experience in urban, community, or regional planning, preferably with one year at a public agency.

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in planning, geography, landscape architecture, urban studies, engineering, sociology, or a related field. A combination of formal education and directly related work experience may substitute for the degree (1.5 years of full-time experience = 1 year of education).

Skills

Planner I

• Knowledge of basic principles and practices of urban planning and development, zoning regulations, site planning, and architectural design techniques.
• Basic computer functions, technical report writing, research methods, and data compilation.
• Principles of business letter writing, basic report preparation, and record-keeping.
• Basic mathematics and modern office methods, practices, and equipment.
• Skills in learning laws, regulations, and ordinances underlying general plans, zoning, and land divisions.
• Learning applicable environmental laws and regulations.
• Learning to interpret and explain planning and zoning regulations.
• Explaining technical terminology and information to the public.
• Managing multiple assignments and setting priorities.
• Understanding and carrying out oral and written directions.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.

Planner II

In addition to Planner I qualifications:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of urban planning and development, laws and regulations underlying general plans, zoning, and land divisions.
• Applicable environmental regulations, research and data analysis techniques.
• Current literature and research techniques in urban planning.
• General site planning, landscape design, architectural design techniques, and the building permit process.
• Skills in responding to difficult and sensitive public inquiries.
• Interpreting and explaining zoning and planning regulations.
• Working independently and as part of a team.
• Interpreting maps, site plans, floor plans, elevations, graphs, and statistical data.
• Meeting strict deadlines and setting priorities.
• Presenting information in a public forum.
• Maintaining effective interaction and communication with others.

Selection Process

A civil service examination will be conducted, with supplemental questions weighted 100% for placement on an eligible list. Applicants must score 70% or higher to be placed on the list. Final candidate selection may include a hiring interview. Employment offers are contingent on passing a pre-employment drug test, background check, and demonstrating the ability to perform physical job requirements. Some positions may require preliminary background checks.

This recruitment establishes an eligible list for current and/or future openings, which may include part-time or full-time positions.