Assistant Planner
Brief Job Description: (essential functions of the job)
• Provides technical information and assistance to department personnel, the general public and members of the City’s Boards and Commissions by answering questions and researching information; interprets data and explains requirements, regulations and procedures.
• Conducts interviews, surveys and site inspections concerning factors that affect land usage, such as zoning, traffic flow and housing; collects information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
• Takes the lead in researching, identifying, tracking and communicating grant funding opportunities; prepares selected grant applications and provides limited grant administration; prepares spreadsheets, timelines, and schedules of selected grants.
• Participates and provides required information for specific meetings; assists in the preparation and review of meeting minutes for various City Boards and Commissions.
• Supports the department in the development and implementation of the City’s ongoing resiliency strategic projects and hazard mitigation measures.
• Evaluates a variety of applications and proposals for completeness; maintains appropriate logs of plan applications processed; assembles data needed to issue permits; work with applicants to ensure consistency of applications with City regulations; prepares documentation for permits or licenses.
• Prepares technical reports, using statistics, charts, and graphs, to illustrate planning studies in areas such as population, land use, or zoning; prepare scientific or technical reports; assists with documentation for projects &
presentations; maintains planning, statistical, photographic & historical records.
• Researches, compiles, analyzes and organizes information from maps, reports, investigations, and books for use in reports and special projects; compiles geographic or related data; analyzes geological or geographical data.
• Develops planning studies and reports in support of new and updated plans, programs and regulations.
• May serves as the liaison between department and other City departments, community groups, government agencies, developers and elected officials; develops collaborative relationships between departments and with external organizations.
• Inspects sites and review plans for minor development permit applications; review environmental permits, plans, or reports.
• Prepares, maintains and updates files and records, including land use data and statistics; assist in the enhancement of the departments record keeping system by organizing and computerizing files; prepares, develops and maintains maps and databases.
• Attends meetings outside of normal business hours when requested.
• Participate in a variety of special projects as assigned.
Minimum Entrance Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture, public policy or related field with one to three (1-3) years related work experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of urban planning and graphic presentation as applied to planning; considerable knowledge of economic, sociological and environmental aspects of planning.
• Knowledge of grant research and administration.
• Ability to work independently, be organized and direct the preparation of comprehensive research studies, analyze problems, prepare technical reports and formulate recommendations.
• Ability to respond to requests and inquiries from the general public and to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Exceptional skill in oral and written communications along with creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve practical problems,
• Skill in the review of plans and the ability to apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance.
• Skill and familiarity working with various computer software programs and applications.
• Must be able to attend evening meetings.
Licenses/Certifications:
• Valid Operator’s License
An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer