Planning Services Associate Land Use Planner

Vision

We are dedicated to superior economic development and land planning services through:

• Proactive Approach to Responsible development and growth
• Empowered and knowledgeable employees
• Serving Communities
• Providing accurate, consistent information
• Offering technological resources
• Timely and responsive service

Mission

We are dedicated to delivering accurate, understandable information and consistent service in a friendly and respectful manner.

About the Role

The Department of Planning Services is a joint Fort Wayne and Allen County land use department that provides permitting, enforcement, long range planning and staffs the Board of Zoning Appeals and Plan Commissions for unincorporated Allen County and 5 community jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

• Communicates with the general public, design community, developers, and elected officials on the Allen County and City of Fort Wayne Plan Commissions.
• Assists applicants with filing vacation, primary and secondary plat, primary and secondary development plan, rezoning, and covenant amendment petitions.
• Conducts on-site review of proposals, assesses projects for zoning ordinance compliance, and provides comments to developers and designers.
• Prepares staff report on each petition, attends public hearings and business meetings, and provides expertise and support to the Allen County and City of Fort Wayne Plan Commissions.
• Formulates findings-of-fact and conditions for each petition and presents them to legislative bodies.
• Analyzes and disseminates project information in the Allen County/Fort Wayne online permitting system.
• Responds to inquiries and advises property owners, architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public on Allen County and City of Fort Wayne Plan Commissions processes and procedures.
• Provides information about department services, requirements, standard policies, and procedures within Allen County, Fort Wayne, Grabill, Huntertown, Woodburn, and Monroeville.
• Reviews and determines compliance of commercial, industrial, and residential development plans to issue the Certificate of Compliance.
• Processes permit applications and visits development sites as appropriate.
• Affords assistance in the review of potential Plan Commission projects at the bi-weekly New Project Meeting for prospective developers or the general public.
• Reviews roadway easements associated with metes and bounds subdivisions for compliance with code.
• Processes plats approved by the Fort Wayne Plat Committee.
• Affords assistance in the processing of subdivision plats through the Allen County Plat Committee.
• Develops process workflows and manuals for departmental operating procedures.
• Administers addresses for all zoning jurisdictions.
• Analyzes GIS data for department needs in development of maps, plans, and ordinances.
• Responsible for administering and disseminating the sign code by reviewing and approving freestanding and downtown sign permit applications.
• Processes administrative property splits within the City of Fort Wayne and other incorporated areas.
• Performs code enforcement duties for Plan Commission approved projects, inspections, and related fieldwork.
• Coordinates Accela tickets and projects for the division.
• Performs all other duties as assigned, including overtime as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Public Administration, Community Development, or related field with one year of experience in community development, planning, or related experience.
• Valid Driver’s License to operate a county vehicle.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including public speaking to effectively and professionally communicate with others.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of research and data collection practices with the ability to read, analyze, and interpret department and government records and regulations.
• Knowledge of planning principles and practices with the ability to apply them to current situations and projects.
• Strong customer service skills with the interest and willingness to work with others.
• Strong computer skills with the ability to learn and manage various computer programs including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, and other job-related software.

Skills

• Ability to formulate findings-of-fact and conditions for each petition and present them to legislative bodies.
• Ability to communicate with the general public, design community, developers, and elected officials on the City of Fort Wayne and Allen County Plan Commissions.
• Ability to assist applicants with filing vacation, primary and secondary plats, primary and secondary development plans, rezoning petitions, and covenant amendments.
• Ability to conduct on-site review of proposals, assess projects for zoning ordinance compliance, and provide comments to developers and designers.
• Ability to prepare staff report on each petition, attend public hearings and business meetings, and provide expertise and support to the Allen County and City of Fort Wayne Plan Commissions.
• Ability to respond to inquiries and advise property owners, architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public on Allen County and City of Fort Wayne Plan Commissions processes and procedures.
• Ability to provide information about department services, requirements, standard policies, and procedures within Allen County, Fort Wayne, Grabill, Huntertown, Woodburn, and Monroeville.
• Ability to review and determine compliance of commercial, industrial, and residential development plans to issue the Certificate of Compliance.
• Ability to process permit applications and visit development sites as appropriate.
• Ability to assist in the review of potential Plan Commission projects at the bi-weekly New Project Meeting for prospective developers or the general public.
• Ability to review roadway easements associated with metes and bounds subdivisions for compliance with code.
• Ability to process plats approved by the Fort Wayne Plat Committee.
• Ability to assist in the processing of subdivision plats through the Allen County Plat Committee.
• Ability to develop process workflows and manuals for departmental operating procedures.
• Ability to administer addresses for all zoning jurisdictions.
• Ability to analyze GIS data for department needs in development of maps, plans, and ordinances.
• Ability to administer and disseminate the sign code by reviewing and approving freestanding and downtown sign permit applications.
• Ability to process administrative property splits within the City of Fort Wayne and other incorporated areas.
• Ability to perform code enforcement duties for Plan Commission approved projects, inspections, and related fieldwork.
• Ability to coordinate Accela tickets and projects for the division.

Benefits

None specified.

Pay

Salary commensurate with experience.

Schedule

40 hours/week; overtime as required.