Chief Planner/Zoning Officer

City Of Easton•Easton, PA

12d

About The Position

Working under the supervision and guidance of the City Administrator. The incumbent coordinates and manages all planning/zoning matters. This person serves as the lead individual to the Easton Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board. Organizes and supervises the daily Planning/Zoning operations and functions of the Department of Planning & Codes. This person will work alongside other directors across the City. The ideal candidate would have strong public speaking and community relationship skills, management, policy development, writing, computer graphic and geographic information systems abilities, and technical expertise in the area of urban planning. This position is considered administrative and is exempt employment status.

Requirements

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor Degree in Planning or a closely related field; plus six years of planning experience; or Master’s degree from an accredited university in Urban or Regional Planning with a minimum of three years previous planning experience; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that is satisfactory to the City preferably in a municipal setting.
Candidate must be a member in good standing of the American Planning Association and AICP Certified.
A zoning certification from the state of PA or ICC zoning certification will be required at time of hire or be obtained within one year of hire date.
Must possess a valid Pennsylvania State driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one prior to employment.

Nice To Haves

The ability to speak Spanish is desirable but not required.
Experience with historical structures is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Participates in the development of policy, ordinances, official map, and comprehensive plan
Prepares ordinances, grants, and other reports; maintains all planning/zoning records
Implements the City’s growth management program; assigns and tracks processing of planning applications, including scheduling for Planning Commission meetings and development of agendas.
Prepares and presents technical presentations to any commissions, boards, authorities, or groups as representatives for the department and the City as required.
Properly responds to the public and other inquiries including applicants and complaints
Participates in the evaluation, updating, and amendments of the Comprehensive Plan; evaluates rezoning, special exception, zoning ordinance amendments, and land development regulations for consistency with the comprehensive plan.
Works with department director, local officials, Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, public, and other agencies to develop and implement land use policies and regulations and resolve planning and environmental issues.
May serve as acting director in the absence of a department director
Must be proficient with the use of a computer, format plotter, scanner, and general office equipment. Essential knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and ESRI GIS computer systems.
Extensive knowledge in public land use, land preservation and environmental planning; urban planning as it is applied to statistical methods and procedures, economics, laws and regulations, architecture and design
Receive, examine, and process all applications for subdivision and land development
Receive, examine, and process all applications for zoning permits and reviewing construction drawings for construction code compliance
Receive applications for curative amendments and zoning changes, forwarding such requests to City Council, Planning Commission, and other appropriate agencies
Receive applications for special exceptions and forward those applications to the Planning Commission for review and recommendations and to the Zoning Hearing Board for action
Coordinate with the Zoning Solicitor on matters with zoning determinations as needed
Attend and speak at the regularly scheduled Zoning Hearing Board meetings
Attend and speak at the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meetings