Planner

Job Title

Position Summary

Starting Hiring Range: $59,000 - $69,652, annually Under general supervision, this position processes and reviews planning and zoning cases, and provides professional expertise and support to the Planning Department and ensures compliance with the City's Comprehensive Plan and local, state, and federal codes and regulations.

Essential Job Functions

Responsible for processing building permits, zoning and platting cases, site plans, and various requests as assigned, including: reviewing assigned cases; creating staff reports; ensuring compliance with applicable ordinances, regulations, and the City's Comprehensive Plan; coordinating with applicants; and providing revisions and suggestions to staff for further review.

Performs research regarding planning and zoning items as needed for current cases, projects, or requests and provides responses relative to current ordinances and regulations which may include conducting a site visit.

Prepares various meeting agenda packets, posts notices, prepares agenda items, prepares ordinances and resolutions, and may present miscellaneous cases to various committees and boards, and City Council which may including preparing a presentation and providing sufficient detail and data to support the presentation.

Provides responses to various general inquiries from residents, applicants, or other departments as needed or assigned.

Responsible for ensuring appropriate comments and remarks are entered and maintained in the Planning Department's development software as needed.

Provides administrative support to the Planning Department including drafting the annual submittal calendar and application checklist.

Acts as a backup to administrative staff in the Planning Department.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in planning from a Planning Accreditation Board accredited university or program, and two (2) years of experience in a full-time planning position with a municipality, OR five (5) years of experience in a full-time planning position with a municipality is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Advanced knowledge of city and departmental practices, procedures, systems, and federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, ordinances, and best practices related to urban planning.

Knowledge of short- and long-range planning.

Ability to analyze complex data.

Ability to regularly interact with others and exchange and receive of information, providing effective and tactful customer service, and work independently with a high level of discretion.

A comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.

Knowledge of and ability to correctly interpret, explain, and apply laws, rules, operations, practices, procedures, regulations, and policies.

Knowledge of data collection including methodology, demographics, and statistics.

Advanced ability to read a variety of materials and deal with system of real numbers, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions, and measurement and to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Advanced ability to interact with people in a professional and congenial manner.

Advanced ability to learn and perform basic operational, technical, and office processes.

Advanced ability to be organized and have efficient management of time and deadlines.

Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Knowledge, skill, and ability to utilize telephone, fax machines, computers, and applicable mapping and various other software daily including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, and MyGov.

Advanced skill level in data entry and preparing accurate reports that includes providing necessary detail and information.

Advanced ability to communicate in a clear, effective, and concise manner, both orally and in writing.

Ability to follow instructions, safety practices, and perform work accurately and thoroughly which requires performing multiple tasks simultaneously under time pressures and deadlines.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to be punctual and attend work regularly.

Special Requirements

Ability to work flexible hours including attending various meetings and events outside of business hours, including City Council meetings, Development Review Committee (DRC) meetings, and Planning & Zoning meetings.

Licenses & Certifications

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license with acceptable driving record as established by the City of Midlothian driving standards.

Work Environment

Works primarily in climate-controlled office environment. Physical demands are primarily sedentary requiring prolonged periods of sitting or standing. Physical demands require seldom light work (up to 25 lbs.) and the ability to in working with light (up to 20 lbs.) materials. Work may cause light fatigue of eyes and fingers because of routine use of motor senses.