Planner

The Planner serves as a key member of the Development Services team, supporting the City’s commitment to thoughtful growth, consistent ordinance administration, and customer-focused public service. This position performs professional planning work involving current planning, zoning administration, development coordination, and public meeting support. The ideal candidate demonstrates sound judgment, organization, diplomacy, and the ability to communicate technical requirements clearly to applicants, residents, consultants, appointed boards, and elected officials. Successful performance in this role requires attention to detail, practical problem-solving, strong follow-through, and the ability to balance code compliance with efficient service to the community. Responsibilities Review and process planning, zoning, platting, site plan, and temporary use for completeness and compliance with adopted ordinances, policies, and applicable state law. Interpret and apply zoning regulations, subdivision standards, development procedures, and related municipal requirements; provide clear guidance to applicants, property owners, consultants, and the public. Prepare written review comments, staff reports, zoning verifications, meeting materials, draft ordinances, resolutions, and other documents related to land use and development cases. Attend pre-development meetings as official recordkeeper and coordinate planning‑related input with Engineering, Building, Fire, Public Works, Code Enforcement, Police, and other departments or outside agencies as needed. Coordinate Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, including case intake tracking, public notice coordination, agenda packet preparation, meeting logistics, and post‑meeting follow‑up items. Present staff analysis and Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations to City Council in a clear, professional, and well‑organized manner. Conduct research and analysis related to zoning requests, site development proposals, ordinance interpretation, comprehensive planning issues, demographic trends, and land use questions. Perform occasional site visits and field inspections related to zoning compliance, land use determinations, development applications, and complaint investigation support. Maintain accurate electronic and hard‑copy planning records, case files, maps, notices, and historical documentation within the City’s permitting and records systems. Assist with updates to zoning maps, planning forms, handouts, departmental procedures, and public‑facing informational materials to improve clarity and consistency. Support updates to the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, and related development policies when assigned. Represent the Development Services Department with professionalism in meetings, public hearings, interdepartmental coordination, and customer interactions. Participate in training and professional development to remain current with planning law, zoning practice, development trends, and municipal best practices. All other duties, as assigned. Qualifications High school diploma or GED required. Progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, zoning administration, land use regulation, development review, or a closely related field; municipal experience preferred. Valid Texas driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within a timeframe established by the City. Ability to attend evening meetings of the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council, neighborhood meetings, and other public meetings as required. Ability to read site plans, plats, legal descriptions, ordinances, development regulations, and related technical documents. Preferred Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in urban planning, geography, public administration, architecture, civil engineering, or a closely related field. Municipal current planning and zoning administration experience. Experience preparing staff reports and making public presentations to boards, commissions, or elected officials. Experience with GIS, permitting software, agenda management, or electronic plan/case tracking systems. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification or progress toward certification. Bilingual. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of: Municipal planning principles and practices, including current planning, zoning administration, land use regulation, platting, and development review. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations affecting planning, zoning, subdivision, and public notice. Texas municipal procedures related to public meetings, staff reports, hearings, and legislative recommendations. Basic site design, transportation access, drainage, utility coordination, and development sequencing concepts sufficient to identify planning conflicts early in the process. Research methods, demographic and land use analysis, records management, and public‑facing communication practices. Modern office practices, permitting systems, GIS/mapping tools, agenda preparation, and standard business software. Skill in: Reviewing land use and development applications with accuracy, consistency, and sound judgment. Reading and interpreting ordinances, site plans, plats, legal descriptions, technical drawings, and supporting documentation. Preparing clear, concise staff reports, correspondence, presentations, notices, and public information materials. Organizing multiple cases, deadlines, notices, meetings, and follow‑up tasks in a fast‑paced environment. Facilitating meetings and communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse audiences. Using computers, permitting software, GIS tools, and standard office equipment efficiently. Ability to: Apply and enforce ordinances, policies, and procedures with consistency, professionalism, and fairness. Explain complex planning and zoning requirements in clear, practical language to applicants and the public. Analyze development proposals, identify conflicts, and recommend workable solutions consistent with City standards. Present technical information confidently to the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council, staff, and community stakeholders. Plan, organize, and complete assignments with minimal supervision while maintaining strong follow‑up and follow‑through. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, elected officials, appointed boards, coworkers, applicants, consultants, contractors, and citizens. Handle sensitive or controversial matters with tact, professionalism, and composure. Adapt to changing regulations, technology, development activity, and operational priorities. Maintain regular and reliable attendance in accordance with City policy. Physical requirements: Requires the ability to perform primarily office‑based work involving extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, speaking, reading, and computer use; occasional lifting of files, plans, or boxes; and occasional travel to meeting sites and field locations for site visits or inspections. Environmental Requirements: Tasks are primarily performed in a standard office environment with occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions, uneven terrain, traffic, noise, and construction or event‑related conditions during site visits. Sensory Requirements: Tasks require visual perception, reading comprehension, hearing, oral and written communication ability, and sufficient manual dexterity to operate computers, office equipment, and related technology. Emergency Operation Classification: TIER 2 Employees not at work are responsible for maintaining contact with their supervisor regarding assignments, to stay abreast of the situation by monitoring radio and television for instructions, and by calling the Emergency Operations Center daily. #J-18808-Ljbffr