Senior Planner

Job Title

Position is responsible for supporting the Division of Planning with activities pertaining to zoning and other land use petitions. The position is also responsible for providing information and expertise to citizen decision-making bodies such as the Metropolitan Development Commission, Boards of Zoning Appeals, Plat Committee, Hearing Examiners and Hearing Officers.

Position Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Draft blurbs of filed requests for purposes of legal advertisement and mailed notification.
• Review legal notices for accuracy.
• Review petition file contents to ensure accuracy and completeness. (e.g. site plan, legal description, findings of facts, etc.)
• Conduct site visits to familiarize oneself with the subject site and vicinity, and document with photos.
• Present initial research to the rest of staff at weekly staff meeting.
• Research subject site, including but not limited to: location of request; nature of request; functionality of site plan; surrounding uses and zoning districts; site's land use history; permit and violation history; potential of site to comply with ordinance; impact of request's implementation on the Comprehensive Plan; and consideration of alternative solutions to eliminate need of variance, or reduce the impact of a land use petition.
• Contact petitioners for discussion of petition file contents, recommendations, and questions/issues, as needed.
• Communicate with interested parties; including neighbors, neighborhood organizations, remonstrators, and other city/county departments.
• Write staff reports.
• Present staff findings of the land use petition at public hearings of citizen decision-making bodies.
• Review disposition letters to ensure the contents reflect the decision of the appropriate board or commission.
• Provide planner-on-call services for up to two shifts per week.
• Answer zoning/petition questions via incoming telephone calls and walk-ins at the front counter.
• Answer questions from the Department of Business & Neighborhood Services and other City departments.
• Present requests for formal inquiries on zoning matters at the weekly staff discussions.
• Direct public questions toward the appropriate contact person/city department, if needed.
• Utilize ArcMap computer program/internet resources/historical maps/green bar printouts/microfilm reader to research property submitted for Administrative Approval process.
• Review submitted site plans, elevations, landscape plans, etc. for compliance.
• Stamp and sign off on three sets of plans submitted, if the requested is deemed appropriate for the site.
• Prepare staff report packets for printing and mailing to petitioners. This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements and Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in city planning or related field; degree from an American Planning Association accredited institution preferred. Two (2) years of experience working in a planning and zoning agency is required; two (2) years of experience may be substituted with an applicable master's degree in city planning or related field from an accredited American Planning Association institution. Must have thorough understanding of land use terminology, zoning principles and practices, current land use law and contemporary land use concepts and regulatory techniques. Working knowledge of Microsoft software and ArcMap is required, as well as research procedures and methodologies. Excellent writing and public speaking skills are required.

Must be able to work independently to identify problems/issues and their resolution. Must be able to negotiate with petitioners to find solutions to problems without compromising ordinances and policies. Sound judgment based on an understanding of planning principles is required.

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications

Master's degree in urban planning or related field and two (2) years of experience working in a planning and zoning agency. Membership in the American Planning Association or other related professional organization.