Assistant Planner

Assistant Planner

The Village's Assistant Planner performs entry-level planning activities, including but not limited to research and analysis of technical information, assisting the public in applying planning and zoning regulations, administering the Village's Zoning Code, providing input on development applications and site plan reviews, assisting with special and long-range planning projects, preparing text amendments to existing Zoning regulations, and providing superior quality customer service. The position is responsible for providing GIS support to the Planning and Zoning and Economic Development departments. Work is performed under deadlines and requires periodic attendance at public meetings and hearings, which are predominantly held during evening hours.

The ideal candidate possesses the ability to follow a management philosophy that is input oriented; values including equity, problem-solving, and the development of partnerships; the ability to work effectively as a member of a team; and the desire to be part of an organization that values service, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation, and teamwork.

Work is performed under guidance and direction from the Director of Planning & Zoning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Interprets and administers the Village's Zoning Code.
• Interprets and administers the Village's Comprehensive Plan.
• Assists in the development and administration of complex long-range policy or current land use which includes coordinating the development of criteria and policies.
• Assists in planning studies and reports as required; gathers data and other information and provides analysis, as needed.
• Reviews and processes land use applications and site plans for compliance with local and state regulations and plans.
• Reviews and processes planning and zoning applications and assists in the coordination of development review submittals.
• Reviews development projects, zoning cases and other matters related to the department for compliance with Village standards, ordinances, codes and statutes.
• Provides administrative support to residents, business owners and developers for zoning applications, including provision of assistance to applicants.
• Responds to public inquiries regarding planning, zoning, building permits, variances, special uses, site plans, subdivisions and similar questions.
• Coordinates public hearings and legal notices.
• Prepares planning reports and supporting data for submission to the Plan Commission and Village Board, prepares meeting packets.
• Assists with other project management functions, such as requests for proposals (RFP), working with consultants, grant administration, etc.
• Collaborates with contracted GIS partner to prepare maps and exhibits for the Village Board, Plan Commission and the public.
• Reviews residential building permits for compliance with the Zoning Ordinance.
• Reviews permits for new homes, temporary signs, fences, patios/concrete, sheds, decks, pools, etc.
• Reviews all signage permits to ensure compliance with Village standards and codes.
• Acts as one of the planning contacts at the front counter.
• Responds to resident complaints regarding zoning violations, and coordinates with the Village's Code Enforcement Officer.
• Researches and responds to assigned planning related FOIA requests.
• Handles special projects, as periodically assigned, in an efficient manner, investigating the best alternatives available, offers suggestions to streamline projects.
• Maintains a positive and professional image to the public, other governmental agencies and interdepartmentally with respect to Village issues, especially those that are highly controversial and politically sensitive, accurately assesses situations and implements Village policy and direction of the department.
• Maintains database for term limits for Plan Commissioners.
• Serves as primary minutes taker for the Plan Commission.
• Coordinates Planning & Zoning Department meetings and reminders in Microsoft Outlook.
• Compiles, prints and posts packets online for Plan Commission meetings.
• Manages the Village's digital streetlight maintenance program.
• Maintains the Village's Request to Resolve Drainage Complaints' Database.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of planning and zoning principles and practices of modern public administration.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and Local mandates governing local government.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems.
• Knowledge of computers with working experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Knowledge of operating all modern-day office equipment and ability to operate a personal computer, photocopier, telephone, fax, and calculator.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn how to operate Bluebeam software.
• Ability to accurately record and maintain records.
• Ability to read and understand complicated plans.
• Ability to complete basic and complex arithmetic computations.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence, and technical documents.
• Ability to prioritize work projects and meet deadlines.
• Ability to commit to overtime when necessary to reach goals.
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to apply planning principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
• Ability to independently conduct research, gather data, analyze information, prepare reports and make recommendations.
• Ability to enforce regulations with firmness and tact.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow staff members, elected officials, volunteers, other agencies, and the general public.
• Strong communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from accredited College or University with major course work in Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and technology.
• At least one (1) year of municipal or county government experience.
• Other equivalent combinations of education and experience may be substituted.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, or Sustainable Urban Planning from accredited College or University.
• AICP accreditation.

Physical Activities:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this position, the staff member is required to:

• Reach with hands and arms, use hand to finger, feel or operate objects, tools or controls.
• Sit, stand, walk.
• Talk and hear.
• Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operation computers and various pieces of office equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally is required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel and crouch.
• May occasionally lift and/or move up to forty (40) pounds.

Work scheduled outside of the office may be in hot, warm, cool and cold weather.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.