Associate Planner

Purpose of Position

Purpose of Position

A professional land use planning position that has a balance of responsibilities in current planning and long-range planning projects. These responsibilities include but are not limited to: administrating land use applications, developing reports and presentations, leading and contributing to long-range planning reports and studies, and performing a variety of duties that reflect goals and objectives in the City”s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Essential Functions

Essential Job Functions

Provide high-quality service to residents, businesses, applicants, and other stakeholders on matters related to general inquiries, development regulations and other planning activities. (25%)

Process Type II and III land use applications, including: solicitation of comments from review entities, preparation of staff reports with recommendations for decision-making and conditions of approval, and coordination with applicants and other stakeholders. Maintain compliance with city, regional, and state land use planning requirements. Provide assistance for Type I and IV land use applications as directed. Conduct field inspections of development sites as necessary.(25%)

Serve as a project manager or support staff for long-range planning projects and studies, including those that are grant-funded. Prepare and present findings to relevant stakeholders. Provide guidance to consultants or other staff involved in projects. (25%)

Serve as a Staff liaison and main presenter of agenda items to Committees and Commissions as assigned. Prepare and present certain staff reports or other items for the consideration of the Planning Commission and occasionally City Council or other citizen boards. Attendance at one to four night meetings a month on the average will be required to carry out these functions. (10%)

Represent the City on advisory committees or task forces related to City or regional planning efforts as assigned, and perform any duties or functions that relate to these groups. This includes attendance at civic meetings in the City and the region. (5%)

Assist the Code Compliance Officer in the identification and correction of any violations of City zoning and development standards. (5%)

Must develop and maintain positive working relationships with supervisors, co-workers and customers.

Maintain consistent and regular job attendance and adherence to working hours.

Effectively and clearly communicate to others verbally and in both electronic and physical written forms.

Auxiliary Job Functions

Auxiliary Job Functions

Engage in continuing education activities via attendance, affiliation, and participation in professional group meetings, events, seminars and conferences.

Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of land use planning and related fields, including land use law and floodplain management.

Work towards obtaining certification with the American Institute of Certified Planners and obtaining certification in a related specialty, including but not limited to floodplain manager, arborist, wetland specialist, or other approved certification program.

Perform other department work as required or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Physical Demands of Position – Typically involves moving materials weighing up to 20 pounds and seldom over 40 pounds. Flow and character of duties require extended visual attention along with manual coordination for at least 60% of the work period.

Frequently sit and/or stand and reach; occasionally bend, kneel and stoop. Move and lift materials weighing up to 5 pounds on a regular basis and weighing up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Manual dexterity, coordination and repetitive motion are required while operating equipment (i.e., computer, calculator, etc.).

Working Conditions – Office working environment with occasional site visits for inspections or meetings in other city locations.

Supervisory Responsibilities – Supervision is not a function assigned to this position. May provide training and orientation to newly assigned department personnel.

Supervision Received –

Works under the general supervision of the Department Director with some guidance and coaching from upper level positions within the department. Education and Experience

Education & Experience

Mandatory Requirements:
A Bachelor”s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, public administration or a related field and two year”s experience as a land use planner; or,

A Master”s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning.

Either of the above degrees must be paired with experience in working with a local government agency, which may include internships, assistantships, or guided research experience for a public entity; or any combination thereof. Relevant experience in similar fields such as civil engineering, landscape architecture, drafting or surveying may also be considered.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Microsoft Publisher or similar design software; Adobe Reader/Acrobat; and GIS software (ArcGIS, TeamGIS, or similar mapping software).

Desirable Qualifications:
Any combination of experience, education and training which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, may be substituted for mandatory requirements.Current or previous experience in a local government planning office in Oregon is preferred. Experience in (or knowledge of) land use planning in Oregon is preferred.

Ability to converse in Spanish or Russian is considered beneficial, but is not a requirement of the position

Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite applications; Bluebeam; and/or SketchUp or similar applications.

Special Requirements/Licenses

Special Requirements/Licenses

Possession of a valid driver”s license and acceptable driving record. Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION COVERS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DUTIES PERFORMED BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL DUTIES THAT MAY BE PERFORMED BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THIS CLASSIFICATION. Application Special Instructions