Planning Manager

Planning Manager

The Planning Manager will perform a wide variety of municipal planning functions, including duties associated with the full life cycle of land use permitting from scoping/pre-application, development review, Planning Commission and Town Trustees presentations, project and warranty closure, and permit compliance. This role will be responsible for handling daily planning questions and for providing positive customer service. The position provides highly responsible support to citizens, developers, and the Community Development Director. The ideal candidate values clear and transparent communication, creative problem solving, critical thinking, meaningful community engagement, collaboration with peers, and mentoring and developing the potential in others. Process improvement, code-writing, and long-range planning projects are anticipated. The Planning Manager may be a staff liaison with the Historic Preservation Commission. The Planning Manager will be the liaison to the Public Art Committee, will lead this work, prepare and manage the Planning Commission agendas, and participate in regional planning activities. Collaborates with the Community Development Director in implementing action items and goals for the Town's annual work plan, the Comprehensive Plan and other plans and policies. Manages the Planning Division staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The below list is intended to be illustrative of the responsibilities of the position and not all encompassing. The Town may change these duties at any time.

• Serves as the primary contact for developers and citizens regarding development and zoning questions. Provides professional customer service.
• Manages current planning caseload and collaborates with the Community Development Director on balancing the current caseload between staff and consultants. Participates in development review pre-application, intake, process, completion, collaboration with compliance.
• Interpret and apply applicable codes and regulations, including the town's comprehensive plan, area plans, municipal development codes, guidelines, and standards and specifications.
• Prepare professional staff reports, supplemental materials, and provide professional-level presentations to internal and external advisory boards: Town Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment/Appeals, Public Art Committee, and outside partners. Prepares agendas and packet materials for the Planning Commission and the Public Art Committee (evening meetings).
• May act as lead staff liaison to Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (evening meetings).
• Research and generate records and reports on local demographics and development activity for Town administration and outside agencies.
• Requires field inspections and an understanding of how properties/projects are interconnected to adjoining properties/ projects.
• Represent planning department and Town at regional or local meetings, events, and conferences.
• Recording and Filing Development Documents
• Present development projects to Planning Commission and Town Board meetings are required (evening meetings)
• Support for special projects (code updates, overlay's, etc) as assigned. Identifies code deficiencies or needed amendments as well as process improvement opportunities experienced during current planning duties. Understands change management processes, collaborate with team members and communicate goals.
• Assist the Building division with Site Plan review and formalizing a program for Block Diversity and Architectural Review (building permits). Reviews sign permits for compliance with zoning regulations and land use permits.
• Act as the Berthoud Representative to regional planning efforts (TAC, Bike & PED, LINKNoCo, etc. – may be evening meetings).
• Take in and process all sign permit applications
• Update the website and social media pages on behalf of the Community Development Department
• Send out public notices as necessary; coordinate with applicants and referral agencies
• Schedule internal development review meetings and Technical Review Committee Meetings with interested developers

Other Duties and Responsibilities: The below list is intended to be illustrative of additional responsibilities of the position and not all encompassing. The Town may change these duties at any time.

• Lead Planning Commission meetings when necessary
• Lead strategic/long-range planning projects when necessary
• Other related duties as may be assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• Team-player
• Basic Website abilities
• Preparing for and presenting at public hearings and public engagements meetings
• Read plats and plans
• Translate development terminology and requirements simply to all audiences
• Communicate effectively in person, over the phone, in email and in writing
• Knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of current and long-range municipal planning
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• GIS and Esri applications understanding and implementation, preferred

Education:

• Undergrad degree in Planning or related field required
• Master's Degree in Planning or related field preferred

Work Experience:

• More than five years of increasingly responsible planning experience in a municipal or county agency required
• More than three years supervisory experience Required
• Private sector role performing land use/site planning and performing similar duties and responsibilities preffered

Certificates and Licenses:

• AICP, with 2 years to acquire required
• Colorado Driver's License is required

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• May experience: Extreme cold, extreme heat, humidity, wetness, noise, hazards, temperature change, atmospheric conditions, and vibration.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• May include: reading, climbing stairs, crouching, grasping, gripping, handling, kneeling, pinching, pulling, pushing, reaching, vision, repetitive motions, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, and carrying/lifting up to 50 lbs.