Senior Planner

The City of Cedar Park

As the third largest city in the Austin metropolitan area, Cedar Park is an integral part of the rapid growth and burgeoning prosperity of Central Texas and Williamson County. Cedar Park is widely known for its excellent schools and a pro-business environment. We are consistently named by multiple outlets one of the top places in the U.S. to raise a family – due to our abundance of amenities, relaxed lifestyle, and our commitment to community and effective government. Just 17 miles from downtown Austin and on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, Cedar Park offers the best of both worlds: the energy of an innovative and booming metropolis, yet the best of small community life with parks, nature trails, and comfortable neighborhoods. It all adds up to a great place for families and businesses to call home.

The Position

Under the direction of the Planning Manager, this position performs responsible professional planning work in long-range planning efforts and current development. Work includes examining applications for compliance with established plans and ordinances, and applicable local, state or federal regulations; soliciting input from appropriate staff; scheduling hearings and actions; monitoring development plans through the approval process; enforcing compliance with regulations; preparing reports and related data; and preparing draft resolutions, ordinances and other documents as required.

• Reviews complex or multiphase concept plans, preliminary plans and final plats, zoning applications and annexation requests, site development and building permit applications and associated documents to ensure that they are in compliance with city ordinances and the Comprehensive Plan;
• Negotiates with applicants as necessary, to clear outstanding review comments;
• Tracks projects to completion and formulates findings and recommendations for zoning and development requests
• Understands trends at local, state, and national levels, and identifies new methods for administering planning & zoning programs;
• Prepares and provides resources and information to local businesses, professionals, the general public, state and federal agencies, other staff members and city departments regarding zoning, subdivision, site development, annexation, and other planning department activities;
• Facilitates and leads meetings with members of the development community to respond to questions that are relevant to a specific planning area or to planning in general;
• Researches and responds to citizen inquiries and complaints related to planning functions; assists the public with complicated or nuanced development and planning questions;
• Manages special planning projects;
• Receives and processes application payments;
• Prepares written reports and makes presentations to the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council and other boards and commissions;
• Provides technical assistance to the Planning Manager and other staff members as needed;
• Reviews planning reports prepared by other departments or agencies;
• Prepares proposals and drafts for new planning ordinances and revisions to current ordinances;
• Coordinates development reviews with other city departments;
• Performs planning analyses;
• Coordinates the recordation of plats and associated material;
• Maintains and updates applications, checklists, standard comment lists, weekly reports, etc.;
• Mentor and train less experienced staff;
• Attends City Council, Board of Adjustment, Planning and Zoning Commission, neighborhood and other meetings as necessary;
• Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.

Acceptable Experience, Training, Certifications and Licenses

Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Geography or related field; plus, Three (3) year municipal planning experience; or, Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Certifications and Licenses Valid Texas Driver's License with acceptable driving record. Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), required.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of: city development processes and ordinances; subdivision and site plan design principles; relevant local state and federal laws regarding planning; the Cedar Park Comprehensive Plan, Transportation Criteria Manual and general planning principles. Skill/Ability to: comprehend and interpret technical manuals and ordinances; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, city officials, outside consultants, and the general public; assimilate information of varying types from a wide range of sources; demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication and technical writing; create and interpret maps; maintain a large database of information; operate a computer or similar using standard word processing, spreadsheet, data inquiry, graphics and presentation software, email and calendaring, and planning and zoning software, including geographic information systems (GIS); make long-range plans that account for a large volume of detailed information; work in a fast paced environment and be detail oriented; complete projects in a timely manner with minimal edits; demonstrate exceptional customer service skills; multiply task and prioritize; and work independently and exercise exceedingly high levels of good judgment, tact, and diplomacy.