Principal Planner

Job Title

This position is with the City of Portsmouth.

Job Description

Under general supervision, this position performs complex professional and responsible administrative work with major projects or programs, by coordinating and participating in the collection and analysis of physical social economic and financial data by statistical methods. Work involves providing services relating to current planning, historic district administration, zoning, subdivisions, demographics, etc. Work also involves receiving and responding to a variety of inquiries from contractors, developers, surveyors, real estate agents, and the general public. Reports to the Assistant Director of Planning.

Essential job functions include researching, preparing, and developing complex studies, reports, designs and plans for the Planning Commission, the department, and other various boards and commissions; drafting codes and ordinances, and reviewing plans and projects for code compliance; performing field inspections; coordinating and participating in the collection and analysis of physical, social economic and financial data by statistical methods to conduct planning assignments. Oversees and manages all aspects of complex special projects such as small area plans, ordinance updates, etc. including managing vendors, overseeing contracts, public engagement activities, and report creation. Provides information to the general public; keeps abreast of current and future issues and trends; reviews plans prepared by external agencies to ensure compliance with city codes, State regulations, design, and construction standards; meets with the general public, developers, agency and program personnel, and neighborhood groups to discuss city plans and concerns. Works with staff to process applications for Certificates of Appropriateness and other development in the City's historic districts. Assists developers and citizens in reviewing and complying with the historic district guidelines. May serve as the city's liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission. Collaborates with staff and outside agencies to identify and incorporate resilience initiatives and strategies into projects, programs, and policies. Serves as a member of and attends various local, regional, and statewide committees, panels, and boards; provides input based on expertise and observations as appropriate; maintains professional relationships and contact with planning professionals to facilitate exchange of information; provides staff support to various Boards and Commissions; presents presentations during public hearings. Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Performance indicators include knowledge of the principles, practices and objectives of urban planning and design, including environmental planning; considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering and physical design as generally related to planning and development; considerable knowledge of the environmental and socio-economic implications of the planning process; considerable knowledge of City zoning ordinances and related land use regulations; considerable knowledge of the principles of supervision and organization; general knowledge of the city and its socio-economic characteristics; skill in the collection, analysis and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations; ability to review subdivision plans, site development plans and related drawings for compliance to applicable local regulations and ordinances; ability to plan, assign and direct the activities of a professional, technical and clerical staff; ability to explain planning theory, policy and practices to lay people individually or in groups; ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with city, municipal, state and federal officials, and the general public; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Urban Studies, or a closely related field, and 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in Planning, Community Development, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master's Degree is preferred. Special requirements include a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and an acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.

Physical Demands

Physical requirements include the ability to operate a variety of engineering machinery and tools including drafting equipment; and office machinery including computers, typewriter and copier. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are those for Sedentary Work. Data conception requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things. Interpersonal communication requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Language ability requires the ability to read a variety of reports, correspondence, agreements, applications, studies, summaries, drawings, ordinances, regulations, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, studies, reports, memorandum, ordinances, and policies using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence. Intelligence requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret a variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Verbal aptitude requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering terminology. Numerical aptitude requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of algebra, geometry and descriptive statistics. Form/spatial aptitude requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Motor coordination requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment. Manual dexterity requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and engineering tools. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Color discrimination requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Interpersonal temperament requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress. Physical communication requires the ability to talk and hear (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements: The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.