The Senior Planner provides high level senior planning and project management services to develop and implement comprehensive city plans affecting land use, landmark designations, physical facilities, zoning, or transportation issues.

Planning and Urban Design – Authorized Hearings: Primary responsibilities include facilitating large-scale city-initiated rezonings (“authorized hearings”). A thorough knowledge of planning and zoning principles is required for this position. The ideal candidate will have experience writing development code regulations and presenting complicated concepts to people who are unfamiliar with planning practices in a way that brings comprehension and builds consensus.

Additionally, this position will manage and process a wide variety of authorized hearings from start to finish by engaging community members and stakeholders, aligning the input with the City’s goals to formulate zoning recommendations, and seeing cases through the public hearing process.

Planning and Urban Design – Zoning: Primary responsibilities include technical review and project management of zoning applications including general zoning changes, specific use permits, planned development districts, and public deed restrictions. The zoning review process includes site visits, research, coordinating with other departments and outside agencies, providing information to the public, writing technical reports with a staff recommendation, and presenting cases to the City Plan Commission. Other duties may include assisting with general zoning inquiries and with the intake of zoning applications.

Individuals need to have prior experience with zoning cases, a basic knowledge of the development process, and moderate knowledge of geographic information systems. They must also have the ability to perform research in an orderly and timely manner, to analyze data and abstract problems, and to communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals orally and in writing.

Eligible candidates will have excellent time management, project management, and conflict management skills. They will also possess a strong commitment to customer service and the ability to explain nuanced planning concepts to laypeople in a way that is accessible and understandable.

1 Designs, develops, coordinates, and conducts urban design studies, design guidelines, development proposal and policy analyses affecting land use, physical facilities, zoning, and transportation issues; reviews and comments on development proposals and their impacts on existing land use, physical facilities, zoning, or transportation issues.
2 Drafts prepares and presents design proposals for community development and renewal; provides technical assistance, information, and collaborates with local transit and transportation agencies, local planning agencies, technical work groups, and other planning policy organizations.
3 Applies statistical and planning and design theory, collects data, interprets public policy, and maintains or accesses diverse databases to identify and recommend appropriate urban planning and development actions; strategizes and assists in the preparation and implementation of the City-wide Comprehensive Plan.
4 Confers with the public, local authorities and elected and appointed City officials to discuss and recommend preliminary planning and design measures; responds to requests for information from citizens, board and commission members, and other City staff; develops innovative outreach materials on various topics for community engagement.
5 Manages and coordinates projects between various City departments, outside agencies, and organizations. Engages and communicates with neighborhood groups, stakeholders, steering committees, City Council, appointed officials, and other agencies to present documents, charts, graphs, maps, and case reports for planning, design, and development purposes.
6 Participates and leads in implementing various special projects throughout the year; develops strong community engagement projects and drafts graphic or informational items while supporting the Comprehensive Planning initiatives.
7 Solves complex problems in connection with the planning of small to large scale urban design, transportation, land use, or other planning activities; provides leadership and technical expertise to identify planning issues and concerns, make appropriate recommendations, and implement resolutions benefitting the City and its Comprehensive plan.
8 Performs any and all other work as needed or assigned.

EDUCATION:

• 
  Master’s degree in a planning, urban design, architecture, or landscape architecture field.

• Two (2) years of professional level experience in planning, urban design, architecture, or landscape architecture.

• Bachelor’s degree in a specified field plus four (4) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in a non-specified field plus six (6) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.

• Valid driver’s license with good driving record.

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification or Architecture/Landscape Architecture Licensure is a plus.