Job Summary:

Under general supervision, the Planner is responsible for planning and implementing department projects and programs by collecting data, completing research, and providing project administration. The Planner performs complex analytical work through the identification, collection and interpretation of data used to prepare plans, reports, maps, tables and charts. The Planner may also be assigned to the management of complex programs; such as, comprehensive planning activities, transportation or housing analysis, public art or community neighborhood activities, or the responsibility to review important land developments involving the administration of the Land Development Code.

Scope of Responsibility:

The Planner may be assigned to specific areas such as development review, redevelopment, land development code administration or land use planning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1 Responsible for identifying, collecting and interpreting complex data and information used to prepare plans and reports.
1.1 Develops complex plans and reviews major development plans; creates and writes staff reports on planning projects, studies and proposals;
1.2 Prepares or instructs others to prepare maps, photos, tables and charts reflecting conditions and trends for planning reports and presentations;
1.3 Performs advanced analysis of internally or externally initiated ideas, proposals and applications to identify compliance with current ordinances, policies and practices;
1.3.1 Identifies likely positive or negative outcomes; based on analysis, identifies environmental, economic, or legal impact and ways that positive impact can be reinforced and negative impact mitigated;
1.3.2 Seeks to identify solutions that will produce positive outcomes for the City and its citizens;
1.3.3 Participates in negotiating positive outcomes for the City, property owners and citizens.

2 Communicates effectively, professionally and courteously and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
2.1 Regularly interacts with the public and citizen advisory board members on issues pertaining to department policies, procedures and protocols; refers to others as appropriate and follows up to ensure inquiries are resolved satisfactorily;
2.2 Presents reports and plans during Board and other meetings;
2.3 Communicates with others in the work unit to provide information relating to work assignments and progress of work or to convey information about conditions or work related needs;
2.4 Ability to present staff reports or positions of fact when implementing work items.

3 Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
3.1 Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
3.2 Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;

3.3 When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.

4 Conduct pre-application meetings with developers, land owners, and representatives.
4.1 Contact developers, property owners, and representatives in a timely manner regarding application submittal, review and action
4.2 Research city ordinances and applicable data bases
4.3 Understand and represent Department/City policies, procedures, and regulation
4.4 Meet with and/or present to citizens, community organizations, and community leaders; respond to zoning and land use questions.
4.5 Support and collaborate with other department representatives in the development process; such as, Inspections and Engineering Department representatives.

5 Conduct Site Plan reviews and oversee Site Plan review of others as assigned
5.1 Participate in preliminary review meetings with internal and external review agencies;
5.2 Analyze data and generate reports, maps, graphs, and PowerPoint presentations;
5.3 Generate Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and preliminary review packets;
5.4 Provides staff recommendations to Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and other bodies during public hearings.

6 Administratively support citizen advisory boards; such as Arts and Culture Commission, Community Development Committee, Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission.

7 Maintain official zoning map; maintains conditional use permit, conditional overlay and other special use type data bases and mapping files

8 Maintain ordinance book and ordinance scanning database

9 Process zoning confirmation letters, temporary permits, administrative parking reductions/residential landscape buffer waivers.

10 Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

The job requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, or landscape architecture; a Master’s Degree is preferred; and at least three (3) years of municipal planning experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. A valid driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required.

Knowledge, skills and ability include:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of urban planning;
• Knowledge of computer applications in urban planning and business;
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations pertinent to urban planning and development;
• Knowledge of local and state regulations and ordinance pertaining to land use;
• Ability to respond quickly and accurately to land use questions;
• Understanding of AutoCAD;
• Understanding of Arc View;
• Understanding of past and current land use trends, practices and standards.
• Skill in conducting research and reporting on findings;
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• Skill in organization and statistics;
• Skill in developing and interpreting data;
• Skill in interpreting federal and state regulations;
• Skill in performing mathematical computations such as algebraic functions;
• Skill in communication and interpersonal skills as applies to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public, etc., sufficient to exchange or convey information, resolve disputes and receive work direction.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

Most work is performed in a normal office environment; on occasion, work is performed in the field. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderate in the field. Daily work often involves moving between buildings and rooms. Activities the incumbent must perform include fingering, grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing and using repetitive motions.

Occasional driving is required to attend meetings. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue. There is considerable attention to detail and deadlines.

This job is rated for Sedentary Work, meaning that walking and standing are required only occasionally and the job involves sitting most of the time. The incumbent must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.

City of Fargo jobs

Planner - Land Use