Associate Planner

Associate Planner

Your future begins here! Join one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona and the youngest in Yuma County! Under direction, performs professional planning duties, assists developers and the general public to achieve compliance with City's development standards; ensures compliance with City, State and Federal planning and zoning codes, policies and procedures; participates in current and advance planning projects; performs plan review; and performs other related duties as required.

As the Associate Planner, you will:

• Provide routine to complex planning services and customer service for the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Division; assist developers and the general public with planning and zoning issues.
• Assist the public with inquiries and problems in submitting applications for development plans, proposed zoning changes, variances, conditional use permits, text amendments, subdivision plans, and General Plan amendments; explains P&Z programs, policies and procedures.
• Complete plan review checks for site plans, subdivision plats, and inspections; conducts site inspections to verify projects are in compliance with regulations, codes, and P&Z standards.
• Perform research, compiles data, reviews case files, and writes reports for review by P&Z staff and City commissions and committees.
• Prepare revisions and updates to the general plan, zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance and other planning and development related regulations and plans.
• Act in the absence of the department director when authorized.
• Supervise, assign, evaluate, and train division staff.
• Attend public meetings and present information on assigned planning and zoning issues.
• Participate in pre-development meeting to review and discuss project proposals.
• Accept and review business liquor license applications, business licenses, and yard sale applications; review and process a variety of technical documents.
• Provide technical support to P&Z and code enforcement staff, and learns the rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures for municipal planning activities.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate

Will possess knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• Federal and state regulations and City codes governing planning and development.
• Advanced principles and practices of urban planning, community development, land use, and permitting.
• Personal computers utilizing standard and specialized software, including GIS software applications.
• Advanced principles and practices of research, analysis, and report writing.
• Principles of zoning enforcement.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Mathematics, including basic statistics, algebra, and geometry.
• Principles and practices of record keeping and file maintenance.
• Principles and procedures of statistical analysis.
• Customer service methods and techniques.
• Basic principles and practices of engineering and architecture as they apply to planning processes.

Will have the ability to:

• Apply principles and practices of urban planning.
• Analyze information, identify and assess alternative resolutions and recommend solutions to planning, development and zoning issues.
• Research and analyze the factors affecting community planning projects.
• Check designs, details, estimates, plans, and specifications of planning projects.
• Collect, organize, analyze and present data and information.
• Understand, interpret and apply land use and zoning regulations, and state and federal laws.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, representatives from other government agencies, community groups, and advisory boards.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Effectively represent the City to individuals, developers, and the public and community organizations.
• Maintain effectiveness while working under pressure; manage competing deadlines.
• Work independently or as part of a team.

Minimum Requirements

Education, Training and Experience:

• A bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Business or Public Administration or closely related area of study AND
• Three (3) years of professional planning experience.

Licenses and Certifications: All required licenses and certifications must be maintained throughout employment.

• A valid Arizona driver's license at the time of appointment

Desired/Preferred:

• Bilingual in Spanish.
• San Luis residency.
• Governmental experience.

Supplemental Information

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand including walking on uneven ground during field inspections; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 30 pounds unaided. Employees must be physically capable of operating City vehicles, for job-related purposes, safely. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied individuals.

Work Environment The employee works in an office environment where the noise level is usually quiet. Certain positions within the classification may require availability to work flexible schedule.

The City of San Luis is committed to Professional Growth and Career Development - Current employees may be given preferred consideration if they meet the position's minimum requirements. OPEN UNTIL FILLED Applications will be reviewed 10 days after the posting date, and interviews will be conducted if a pool of qualified applicants is determined. Interested incumbents are encouraged to apply promptly. Candidates with the most relevant backgrounds will be invited to participate in the interview/assessment process.

APPLICATION PROCESS: To be considered, online applications MUST include all required documents listed under the Minimum Requirements section of the Job Posting. All documents should be uploaded as attachments.

Please note:

• The online application must be completed in full.
• Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Benefits

The City of San Luis offers the following benefits to all full-time City employees:

MEDICAL/ DENTAL/ VISION INSURANCE - The City of San Luis is proud to provide medical, dental and vision insurance for its employees which is administered by Personify. Dependent premiums are paid one month in advance and are pre-taxed. Additional information regarding medical, dental and vision benefits may be requested from the Human Resources Department.

ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ASRS) - City employees are required to enroll in the Arizona State Retirement System.

• Employee Contribution - 11.86%
• Employer Contribution - 11.86%

ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ASRS) - LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD)

• Employee Contribution -.014%
• Employer Contribution -.014%

SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE- FICA (Social Security Tax) - Employee Contribution - 6.20% Medicare - Employee Contribution - 1.4500%. PAID TIME OFF (PTO) - Vacation Leave Accruals (Based on years of service and accrued on bi-weekly basis)

1. Less than 6 years - 3.08 hrs.
2. 6 - 11 years - 4.62 hrs.
3. 11 years or more - 6.16 hrs.

Sick Leave - 3.69 hrs. LIFE INSURANCE - The City provides eligible employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment