Senior Planner

The City of McMinnville is seeking a Senior Planner to serve in a lead capacity, providing direct assistance to the Community Development Director. This role acts as a subject matter expert in complex land use planning, including community development, cultural studies, urban design, transportation planning, and code/policy development. The Senior Planner implements regional planning initiatives in coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, serves as a team leader and project coordinator, and interprets laws and regulations for developers and the public.

Responsibilities

• Long Range Planning
  • Prepares research reports, plans, maps, and charts related to short- and long-range comprehensive planning, zoning, permits, and community development.
  • Serves as a project manager in the development of short- and long-range plans through the approval process.
  • Identifies community attractors and liabilities, making recommendations to amend department programs and policies.
  • Researches, develops, and recommends new programs or improvements to enhance community value.
  • Manages large planning projects with developers, agencies, civic groups, and special interests.
  • Prepares grant applications and administers awarded grants.
  • Prepares requests for proposals, reviews consultant qualifications, negotiates contracts, and tracks expenses.
  • Develops work programs, timelines, and progress reports for planning projects.
  • Assists in developing policies and guidelines to direct community growth.
• Current Planning
  • Reviews and analyzes development applications and plans.
  • Writes ordinances, legal findings, and decision documents.
  • Presents land-use applications to the Planning Commission and City Council.
  • Reviews development proposals and collaborates with customers to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Customer Service and Program Support
  • Confers with developers and the public in office and field settings.
  • Conducts on-site inspections at construction sites.
  • Oversees the work of outside consultants.
  • Provides technical information and interprets planning laws, ordinances, and codes for developers, the public, and City staff.
  • Receives and assesses public input on planning matters.
  • Provides staff support to the Planning Commission, City Council, and other committees.
  • Makes presentations on plans, ordinance amendments, conditional uses, and rezones.
  • Attends meetings and hearings with official and public groups.
  • Assists in enforcing local ordinances and interpreting city codes and master plans.
  • Administers zoning ordinances and makes recommendations to the Planning Commission.
  • Serves on various staff committees as assigned.
  • Attends professional development workshops and conferences.
  • Collaborates with State and regional planning agencies to implement City plans and policies.
  • Prepares reports on the relationship between City policies and State/regional goals.
• General Job Functions
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff, agencies, and the public.
  • Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.
  • Participates in committees when requested.
  • Maintains proficiency in job requirements through training, meetings, and reading materials.
  • Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly manner.
  • Ensures confidentiality, data integrity, and compliance with city, state, and federal standards.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in a related field and at least five (5) years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge Of:
  • Planning and land use laws, comprehensive plans, environmental studies, urban design/architecture, geography, report preparation, and presentation methods.
  • Data gathering, research techniques, and citizen survey tools.
  • Theory and methods of formulating land use and other policies.
  • Planning applications for land use theory, urban design, economics, municipal finance, land use law, environmental design, resource development, and ecology.
  • Computer applications for word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, and business graphics.
• Skills and Abilities:
  • Uses advanced math tools, such as geometry and statistics.
  • Conducts on-site inspections at construction sites.
  • Analyzes data and prepares reports and recommendations.
  • Makes public presentations to citizen, business, and interest groups.
  • Explains policies, regulations, and procedures clearly in writing and orally.
  • Identifies regulatory actions to implement City policies.
  • Designs documents for public information and involvement in planning issues.
  • Drafts ordinances and resolutions to amend City policies and codes.
  • Works with organizations to develop positions on planning-related matters.
  • Exemplifies traits reflecting the City’s culture, including integrity, customer service orientation, cultural competency, trustworthiness, flexibility, and adaptability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desired but not required.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Responsibilities (if qualified):
  • Performs technical work to develop, maintain, and support the City's GIS for the Planning Division.
  • Collaborates with the Engineering Division's GIS/CAD Specialist on interdepartmental GIS projects.
  • Creates, refines, and maintains ArcGIS Online map services, web maps, and StoryMaps.
  • Researches, analyzes, designs, and develops GIS data, applications, and mapping solutions.
  • Develops, maintains, and improves automated GIS systems and related resources.
  • Assists with short- and long-range GIS planning, analysis, and implementation.
  • Updates and maintains GIS property, zoning, and land use data.

Working Conditions

• Regular (80%+) use of dexterity and fine motor skills.
• Continuous (81% of the time) use of office equipment.
• Minimal (5-20%) physical effort, such as lifting or movement, with some degree of agility and hand-eye coordination required.
• Work environment is usually well-protected, with minimal hazards or obstacles (5-20%).
• Minimal personal risk or exposure to disagreeable conditions (e.g., temperature changes, noise, confined spaces, or dirty conditions).
• May require minimal driving responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervision of others is not typical, but the role includes lead duties, training new personnel, and assigning work to student workers. Works under the general direction of the Planning Manager.

Finalists will be subject to a criminal history check, driving record check (if applicable), and education/certification verification. The City of McMinnville does not offer visa sponsorship. Salary placement will be based on education and experience.