City Planner

Position Title: City Planner / Planning - Land Use Director

Department: Planning, Zoning, and Preservation

Supervisor: Mayor

Position: Full-Time / Exempt

Salary Range as per current Salary Ordinance.


Duties and Responsibilities:


Serves as chief advisor to the Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Historic Preservation Commission, reports to the Mayor as the department head and all other city departments, including city boards impacted on city matters related to the department's planning, zoning, and historic preservation divisions; including: replats and subdivisions, Certificate of Appropriateness, proposed development and redevelopment impacts, code/policy variances, zone changes, sustainability, land use, and Chapters 153 and 154 of the Hobart Municipal Code (HMC).

The City Planner/Planning-Land Use Director oversees the daily operations of the department, and develops organization-wide goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and monitors and approves department expenditures; may represent the city on regional and local boards and perform Employee in Responsible Charge functions (as defined by INDOT) if required for federal transportation projects; serves as lead staff/project manager in the preparation and updates of the City's Comprehensive Plan, Future Land Use Map, Thoroughfare Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, or other comprehensive city-wide land use planning documents including but not limited to long range planning initiatives such as: city parks plan, subarea Plans, land development regulation, or PUDs, and actively seeks and competes for grant opportunity to meet such initiatives.

Performs and manages complex and sensitive professional planning projects, conduct research, provide analysis and recommendations, identify facts, case studies, or previous practices on all department project, including specialized planning functions such as large-scale new development proposals and environmental studies; Perform initial site plan review and meeting coordination for all development projects, work cooperatively with city administrators regarding capital improvement plan and projects and all ordinance revision in Chapters 153, and 154, of the HMC.

Assist local municipalities, school districts, conservancy districts, utilities, and other governmental or private agencies to achieve local, regional, and federal priorities; acts as liaison between community groups, government agencies, developers and elected officials; assist with identifying and resolving any community and development problems, issues, and opportunities in areas that could be mitigated through better community planning; conduct research and contribute to specific or general areas of request for project proposals (RFP), memorandum of agreement/understanding (MOA/MOU).

Leads, collaborates, and evaluates operations and activities of assigned responsibilities with department staff, consultants, interns and ensures appropriate information and training is provided; advises on the recruitment, employment, evaluation, and release of department staff and contract personnel, resolve citizen, customer and department staff issues and complaints; may conduct, assist, or consult site inspection for compliance of Chapters 153 and 154 or other HMC chapters as requested; may initiate and coordinates enforcement efforts or necessary actions to correct deficiencies or violation of regulation as outlines in Chapters 153 and 154 of the HMC.

In vacancy or absence of the Zoning Administrator/Planner 1, the City Planner/Planning-Land Use Director serves as the department's sole advisor to various city administrators and city staff on the evaluation and interpretation of zoning codes, subdivision codes, department forms and bylaws, and where applicable State codes; may be required, or offer, to prepare both oral and written statements or correspondence containing interpretation or clarification of these codes and is the primary liaison for review and approval of location improvement/building permits and compliance with requirements as identified in Chapters 153 and 154 of the Hobart Municipal Code (HMC) or applicable PUDs.

In a vacancy or absence of the Planning Department Secretary, the City Planner/Planning-Land Use Director maintains the department website, department budget and expenditures spreadsheet, department forms including but not limited to the preparation, processing and tracking of Reimbursement Agreements, sureties, claims, and invoices; may also advise interested persons on appropriate department applications required for filing; file and process appropriate department applications; retrieve, track, and manage all department files; perform general office duties.

In a vacancy or absence of the Planning Department Secretary and Zoning Administrator/Planner1, the City Planner/Planning-Land Use Director serves as the Recording Secretary to the Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, including preparation, maintenance, and distribution of agendas, minutes, files and all related documents including but not limited to public postings, advertisements, certifications, resolutions, memos, annual reports; including the Historic Preservation Commission if such service is not contracted for; as well as serves to advise interested persons on appropriate department application required for filing; file and process appropriate department applications; retrieve, track, and manage all department files; perform general office duties.

Skills and Knowledge:

Considerable knowledge of the theory, principles, practice, and techniques of the planning profession and development process; ability to visualize in three dimensions the impacts of two-dimensional plans; in-depth knowledge of two or more planning specialization, such as: transportation, design and place, environmental, preservation/conservation, economic, social, demography, housing/real estate, recreation, or law.

Effective and persuasive servant leader with proven management skills that is comfortable with all colleague levels with excellent customer service, organizational, oral communication, affirmative writing, and interpersonal skills are required to provide an objective judgement for group facilitation, community workshops, and advise city administrators/staff, department applicants, walk-ins, or calls, accordingly on zoning inquiries, department processes, supporting documents and filed projects/proposals.

Must be innovative, detail-oriented, experienced in highly visible/controversial projects capable of managing multiple, high-priority assignments with strong analytical skills to interpret research data for reports, apply mathematic techniques in practical situations, and demonstrated mastery in computer technology necessary to perform job duties including but not limited to GIS, word processing, spreadsheets, data base development, and internet research.

Ability to work cooperatively with staff, public, industry professionals, local/county/state or federal laws, agencies, and private organizations in order to achieve thorough review of department applications and supporting documents to offer creative problem-solving solutions, improvement suggestions, facilitate approvals; including the ability to understand and manage high-profile, sensitive, or politically controversial projects/proposals.

Possess high level capability to perform quality work under deadlines, review maps, plats, site plans, property surveys, ordinances, and codes, with attention to detail; ability to multi-task is essential, as well as work independently to self-start projects with a team-oriented disposition in order to meet department goals and city vision.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or other related undergraduate degree required; or an unassociated undergraduate degree with a minimum of five years of continuously related and applicable Duties and Responsibilities and Skills and Knowledge of the position is required.

Master's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or other related graduate degree preferred; or an unassociated graduate degree with a minimum of seven years of continuously related and applicable Duties and Responsibilities and Skills and Knowledge of the position is required.

AICP Professional License is highly desirable.

Other Job Requirements:

• Knowledge of local government procedures and practices.

• Coordinate review of public and private community development projects.

• Assist in review of the annual department budget with supervisor and department staff.

• Take dictation and work from taped dictation system.

• Oversee the work of consultants and interns, when applicable.

• Work extended and after business hours to attend city-related functions and meetings.

• Occasional travel may be required.

• Possess and retain, or ability to possess and retain, a valid driver's license.