Senior Planner

About the role

The Senior Planner coordinates and monitors long and short-range planning projects and oversees specialized planning functions for development proposals. Essential functions include investigating, analyzing, and preparing documents for public policy issues, community planning, and project-specific developments.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and coordinates the investigation, analysis, and preparation of documents to include reports and comprehensive briefings for public policy issues, community planning, and project specific developments.
• Reviews and responds to emails regarding projects submitted by applicants and other City staff.
• Conducts research to determine the economic and environmental impacts of proposed projects.
• Reads technical reports, maps, and other documents to verify code compliance; prepares reports outlining deficiencies and areas of noncompliance.
• Prepares notices, staff reports, and other publications for administrative and legislative purposes and projects; drafts code amendments, comprehensive plan materials, and other legislative materials as needed.
• Attends and presents information at various meetings and hearings to include City Council, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, and Design Board reviews.
• Communicates and interacts regularly with the public, elected officials, and administrators of public agencies and departments, and private organization executives to analyze, evaluate, resolve, and provide information on public policy issues, land use regulations, and project specific issues.
• Counsels and advises Code Enforcement Officers and other staff with the interpretation of City codes and prior approvals; reviews and approves drafts prepared by junior staff members.
• Responds to and assists with the fulfillment of public records requests; conducts various project-related research as requested by City departments.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Environmental Studies, or related field AND five (5) years of progressively responsible planning and project management experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience: Five (5) years of experience in managing quasi-judicial permit applications; five (5) years of experience in managing land use legislative proposals.

Qualifications

• Knowledge: Applicable local, State, and Federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances. General office policies, procedures, and equipment. Customer service principles, practices, and etiquette. Records maintenance and retention policies and procedures. Principles and practices of urban planning. Conflict management and mediation methods. Planning purpose and functions involved with growth management, development codes, land use, transportation, and shoreline and coastal management programs. Comprehensive plan updates and amendments.
• Skills: Maintaining accurate records and filing systems. Interacting tactfully and professionally with City staff, outside agencies, and the public. Calculating dimensional requirements. Analyzing site plan and building measurements. Reading and accurately interpreting and explaining codes, ordinances, and regulations. Organizing and prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines. Understanding and applying the principles and practices of urban planning. Completing multiple tasks simultaneously. Typing and entering data with speed and accuracy. Preparing clear and concise communications, reports, and technical documents. Analyzing complex issues and implementing appropriate responses. Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships. Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.