Planner

Neighborhood & Community Planning Department Position

Welcome, 'ist das Leben schön!' (Life is good!) At the City of New Braunfels, we seek out people ready to serve the community, plan for the future, and preserve our well-renowned natural beauty. Our five core values serve as a cornerstone of our work: Integrity, Service, Visionary Leadership, Stewardship of Resources, and Cultural Heritage. Do our values speak to you?

What we're looking for: A motivated and collaborative individual to join the Neighborhood & Community Planning Department. You will continue to successfully serve the current and future needs of the New Braunfels community. Under general supervision, performs professional, technical and specialized planning work. This includes but is not limited to data research and analysis, land use planning, environmental/natural resource planning, ordinance and document writing, and developing standards and programs to implement plans. The person filling this position will also assist internal and external customers, coordinate the resolution of issues between various divisions and departments, build and maintain relationships, deliver presentations, apply planning, subdivision platting, and zoning standards to development projects, and assist with board or commission administration.

The responsibilities you'll be trusted with:

• Participates in and contributes to special assignments, projects, surveys, long range plans, and community engagement activities based on expertise, area of assignment, or opportunities for professional development; may serve as a team lead on certain topics or issues.
• Performs research and gathers data on population, demographics, housing, land ownership, land use, long and short range planning, transportation, historic resources, environmental factors, natural resources, and economics; analyzes, interprets and arranges data; incorporates public input; formulates data-driven recommendations; prepares reports, white papers, studies, plans, policies, or public engagement materials; delivers presentations.
• Answers inquiries and assists internal and external customers to assure project plans are in conformance with local ordinances, comprehensive plan, strategic plan, and other adopted plan or study goals, and/or to meet guidelines of state or federal laws which could include environmental, architectural or historic considerations.
• Reviews applications and technical documents for conformance with ordinances, project specifications or conditions of approval; may be called upon to conduct design review.
• Provides case management services including technical assistance for customers who submit applications for rezoning, variances, subdivision plats, or other planning and development related issues.
• Provides technical support to boards, commissions and City Council; may be assigned to administer a board or commission: this would entail providing commissioner orientation and training, meeting management, technical assistance, and application processing.
• Develops maps and other graphics to illustrate land use plans and planning concepts; performs GIS analysis for zoning and planning needs; assists in maintaining land planning records, files and maps.
• Assists with tracking Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Plan, and Land Use Fiscal Analysis implementation.
• Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Customer Bulletins, and Code Interpretations.
• Develops cooperative professional relationships with customers, residents, applicants, appointed board and commission members, state agencies, professional associations, neighborhood groups, and the general public.
• Performs other duties and fulfills responsibilities as assigned or required.

Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter most for this role:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Urban, Community, or Regional Planning, Urban Studies/Affairs, Geography, Business, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, or related field; AND two (2) years' experience in city planning, development services, public administration, historic preservation, or construction science; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License.
• Membership in the American Planning Association is preferred.

Required Knowledge of:

• Local government organization, operations, policies and procedures.
• Principles, techniques, terminology and practices employed in urban, regional and/or rural planning, community and land development, land use, zoning, subdivision platting, housing policy, urban design, historic preservation, transportation planning, tree preservation, and environmental stewardship.
• Federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations pertaining to planning, zoning, subdivision platting, historic preservation, and the environment, and an understanding of their legal basis.
• Basic GIS software applications and methods.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Familiarity with grant programs, standards and rules.
• Principles of, and state statutes associated with, digital record keeping and records management.
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions.

Required Skill in:

• Reading and interpreting legal records, technical documents, site plans, plats, and maps.
• Checking designs, details, estimates, plans, and specifications of planning projects; detecting deviations from plans, regulations, and requirements.
• Collecting, tabulating, organizing, evaluating, analyzing, and presenting data and information.
• Reading, interpreting, understanding, applying, and explaining planning standards and procedures, applicable Federal laws, state statutes, and City policies, procedures and ordinances.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Graphics software such as Google SketchUp and/or Adobe PhotoShop/InDesign preferred.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with coworkers, elected and appointed officials, representatives from other agencies, not-for-profits, businesses, neighborhood groups, and the general public.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software.
• Applied critical and analytical thinking to solve problems, develop recommendations, and effectively discuss with pertinent individuals or groups.
• Effective communication, both verbal and written: correct grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary in consideration of varying audiences; exceptional presentation and interpersonal skills.
• "Customer Service First" approach to all work.

Your work environment:

• Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment and is subject to sitting, standing, walking, bending, and reaching for extended periods of time. Must be able to safely pull, push, lift and carry equipment and materials weighing up to thirty (30) pounds.
• Some field/site work is required outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to periodically work evenings as required for meetings.
• May be required to work immediately before, during or after an emergency or disaster.

The City of New Braunfels is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, order of protection status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.