Description

The Assistant Planner is an entry level professional work in urban planning. Positions in this class perform the more routine land use planning and development activities. This class differs from the Associate and Senior Planner class in that the work of the entry-level class is more closely reviewed and supervised, and assignments are less complex and narrower in scope. The work is performed under relatively close supervision unless the tasks assigned are of a routine nature. The work includes interacting with the public and other City departments regarding land use, zoning, environmental, licensing, code and permitting issues and activities, and ensuring consistency in compliance with requirements.

Essential Job Functions

Work activities involve multiple skills and may include any or all of the following depending on assignment, business needs, emergency services, special projects, and/or seasonal factors:

• 
  Responds to questions and provides information to the public, applicants and developers regarding land use processes, zoning information, environmental review requirements, application materials, etc. Meets with development community and residents to discuss development projects and code requirements.
• Reviews and business license applications and renewals for compliance with zoning code requirements.
• Under supervision, reviews, analyzes, coordinates review, and prepares staff reports regarding proposed basic administrative land use, environmental, and development applications. Acts as project manager for such applications and ensures consistency between Planning, Engineering, Building and Fire permit requirements and compliance with all applicable Federal State, and local rules, regulations, and codes before project approval. Examples of the types of permits that may be reviewed by the Assistant Planner include decks, signs, commercial tenant improvements, and single-family homes and plan review as assigned.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reviews related to assigned activities.
• Makes recommendations to policy and code changes as appropriate and based on experience with daily operations and planning on assigned work.
• Performs research and analysis, prepares reports, makes presentations at public meetings.
• Prepares and updates graphics and public information materials for reports and presentations.
• Conducts various inspections associated with permit, tree removal, and code enforcement activities.
• Maintains professional development, including staying current on a variety of Federal, State and local regulations pertaining the land development, and maintaining current knowledge of trends and developments in the planning field.
• As directed, participates on assigned committees and represents the City and Department with outside agencies, the public, and within the City organization. Provides support and information as needed.
• Assists other planning staff as assigned.

Associated Job Functions:

• Attend various continuing education meetings and seminars, and conferences.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Performance Requirements (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Knowledge of land use planning and environmental issues and of related laws and professional practices.
• Skills using GIS desired.
• Skill and competency in Microsoft Office products, for example, word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation/graphics software.
• Skill in effectively communicating both verbally and in writing; to deal tactfully and courteously with both internal and external customers and the ability to make effective public presentations.
• Ability to gain a working knowledge of the City Comprehensive Plan, the City Municipal Codes; various state regulations, laws, guidelines and enactments; interlocal agreements and federal regulations related to land use, growth management and ecology.
• Ability to evaluate and interpret comprehensive plan and development codes.
• Ability to conduct, read and interpret complex studies and surveys.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to make decisions about day-to-day issues and activities; interpret and apply policies and procedures to situations.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in urban or regional planning, geography, environmental studies, or a closely related field.
• One (1) year professional planning experience. Internships and other related experience will be considered.
• Valid state driver's license and a good driving record.
• Must pass comprehensive background check and driver's record check.

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

Working Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed primarily in an office environment with fieldwork and site visits that may be performed in all types of weather. Exposure to normal transportation and construction activity such as high noise levels, moving vehicles and machines, dust and mud, and traversing of exposed and sometimes unsecured walkways and platforms. May wear protective clothing and equipment such as helmet, gloves, goggles, and safety shoes. Work requires normal hearing and visual acuity, sufficient mobility to drive a vehicle to development sites and tours. Climbing, walking on all types of terrain. Crouching, bending, stooping and reaching; and moving of light to moderately heavy items?50 pounds.