Senior Planner

Planning And Zoning Specialist

Salary: $36.20 - $45.25 Hourly

Location: 220 West South Avenue, Woodland Park, CO

Job Type: Full-Time

Department: Planning

Closing Date: Continuous

This position performs a variety of administrative, technical and professional duties related to current land use planning, zoning and building activities. In addition, this position performs a variety of work assignments involving research, data assimilation, code amendments, development analysis, mapping, graphics, documentation, and recordkeeping.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Providing professional planning, land use information and analysis for City staff, developers, land use applicants, the City Commissions/Boards, businesses, realtors and the general public in a user friendly manner.
• Making formal presentations to City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, other civic groups and the general public.
• Reviewing and approving various types of Zoning Development Permits (ZDP's) such as; single family homes, accessory dwelling units, home occupations, signs, infrastructure development and other ZDP applications.
• Reviewing and processing a variety of development/land use cases through an administrative or public hearing processes including; Subdivisions, Conditional Use Permits, Special Use Permits, Site Plan Reviews, Variances, PUD Amendments, Rezonings, Annexations and other types development activities.
• Preparing Staff Reports and analyses in compliance with zoning and subdivision regulations as part of the review standards and due process requirements.
• Attending and providing varying levels of staff support to the City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment and other City committees. Attending community meetings as necessary with other civic groups or community organizations.
• Preparing PowerPoint presentations to summarize and illustrate the Staff Report's content and recommendation for the proposed development cases. The presentations include photographs, maps, illustrations and text to create a legal record at official public meetings or provide information at community presentations.
• Preparing amendments to the Municipal Code relative the City's zoning and subdivision regulations.
• Preparing a variety of City Ordinances related to Conditional Use Permits, Right-of-Way Vacations, Utility Easements and Rezonings.
• Preparing reports and recommendations for drafting or revising local legislation or policies. Assisting with long-range planning, projecting trends, monitoring socioeconomic data, departmental documentation and recordkeeping.
• Monitoring planning activities of neighboring jurisdictions; coordinating work with other affected agencies; and assisting in the development of regional plans as assigned.
• Preparing, writing, and administering various grant applications or assisting with the preparation of grants related to community development projects.
• Meeting with citizen groups; investigating citizen complaints involving planning and zoning activities.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Assisting the City Staff in the interpretation of the City codes and applicable zoning, planning and building processes.
• Serving as a member of planning task forces or other committees involving City, County, State, or private organizations, as assigned.
• Attending workshops, seminars, and schools and will become an American Institute Certified Planner (AICP) within three to five years of employment if the employee is not currently certified.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Supervision received: Reports to the Planning Director.

Supervision exercised: Assists in the supervision of the Planning and Building Permit Technicians and Planner I. May supervise other support staff, part-time or temporary employees or volunteers as assigned.

Desired minimum qualifications:

• Education and Experience: Graduation with a Bachelor Degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in land-use planning, urban planning, architecture or a closely related field.
• Experience related to planning, zoning, land use regulations, public administration, or closely related field is beneficial. Valid Colorado Driver license.
• Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Working knowledge of Municipal Planning and Zoning Regulations as well as applicable federal and state laws. Working knowledge of the overall Municipal Code and Charter. Working knowledge of applicable laws, standards and regulations relating to various land use, building, nuisance, and public safety codes. Ability to communicate effectively; both verbally and in writing with architects, contractors, developers, property owners, City staff, elected and appointed officials, and the general public. Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in all situations. Ability to prepare, organize and maintain departmental data and reports. Ability to establish effective and positive working relationships. Writing skills to prepare special studies, reports, letters, and grant proposals. Knowledge of Personal Computers, Microsoft Office Suite & GIS applications and other platforms. Demonstrate excellent customer service and flexibility in helping customers achieve their goals within the limits of City development regulations.
• Tools and Equipment Used: Personal computer, motor vehicle, telephone, smart phone, iPad, copy machines, scanners, fax machine, digital camera, calculator, and various graphic design tools.
• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; lift and/or move up to 25 lbs; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.
• Work Environment: Work is performed mostly in office settings; however, a considerable amount of outdoor work is required in the inspection of various sites where the employee could be occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, heat and/or sun, and/or airborne particles. The employee occasionally could be exposed to traffic and construction activities as well as fumes, and other potentially toxic, caustic, or chemical risks. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate to high in the field.

Our City of Woodland Park benefits:

• FREE employee ‑ only medical, dental & vision plan
• Free Aquatic Center pass for employees — full access to the community aquatic facility
• HSA contributions up to $3,000/year
• Free preventive care + large provider networks
• Telehealth with $0 copay for PPO & HDHP members
• Mental health support: counseling, therapy, coaching & wellness apps
• City ‑ paid life, AD&D, STD & LTD coverage
• 5% City match to your 401(a) retirement plan on a vesting schedule
• $50,000 in City ‑ paid Basic Life & AD&D insurance for all eligible employees
• Financial wellness programs & FSA options
• Wellness programs for diabetes, hypertension & more
• Travel assistance for employees & dependents
• Bi-weekly pay

Paid Time Off:

• PTO for full ‑ time & benefited part ‑ time employees
• PTO starts accruing immediately and grows with years of service
• Plus 12 paid holidays each year
• 8 hours of Volunteer Time Off every year for full ‑ time employees