Historic Preservation Planner

Bozeman, City of • Professional Building, MT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Bozeman is seeking a Historic Preservation Planner to join their Community Development Team. This role is responsible for historic preservation through the review of development applications, implementation of preservation policies, and collaboration with various stakeholders to preserve and enhance Bozeman's historic resources while supporting community development. The position involves advising on historic preservation matters, preparing and reviewing planning documents, maintaining historic property inventories, and promoting public awareness of historic resources. The planner will also gather and analyze data, present findings to boards and commissions, administer zoning ordinances, and coordinate with consultants. This role requires a strong understanding of planning principles, historic preservation, urban design, and relevant regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Historic Preservation, Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, or a closely related field
• At least 4 years’ experience in planning, urban design, or development review
• At least two of those years in historic preservation related work
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• Must possess a current valid Driver’s License
• Ability to obtain a Montana Driver’s License within 60 days of employment
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the function of services within the public sector, particularly within a municipal government.
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn current practices and procedures involved in City service delivery.
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the overall functions, duties, and responsibilities of assigned department.
• Knowledge of the current principles and practices involved in urban planning and historic preservation.
• Knowledge of historic preservation theory, urban design, land use law, demographics, and architectural design.
• Knowledge of state and federal historic preservation statutes.
• Knowledge of the methods used for citizen involvement in planning projects.
• Knowledge of data gathering and research techniques.
• Knowledge or, or the ability to quickly learn Bozeman historic preservation regulations, zoning regulations, Bozeman Design Guidelines for Historic Preservation, as well as Montana Planning Statutes.
• Knowledge of the principles of cartography and geographic information systems (GIS), including the ability to utilize mapping software to analyze geospatial data, maintain historic resource inventories, and produce maps for public presentations.
• Knowledge of office practices, procedures, and equipment, including filing systems, electronic databases, and standard methods of communication.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Ability to deal with a wide range of persons, including situations in which individuals may be upset over some issues involved with City activities and policies.
• Ability to simultaneously apply multiple policies and programs to a single project.
• Ability to read, interpret, and understand architectural and engineering designs and specifications and topographic, geologic, hydrological, and vegetation maps and plans.
• Ability to make public presentations on complex planning designs and municipal operations and represent the organization in a professional capacity.
• Ability to safely operate and care for motor vehicles and/or assigned City owned equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions.
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations on all facets of planning operations.
• Ability to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Demonstrates integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness and the use of the appropriate levels of discretion in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Consistently performs assignments in accordance with the City’s Core Values of Integrity, Leadership, Service and Teamwork.

Nice To Haves

• Membership in American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provides input and coordinates the City’s historic preservation program.
• Serves as a historic preservation advisor to department staff and members of the Development Review Committee in conducting development review and current planning activities.
• Prepares, reviews, and analyzes zoning applications, including preparing staff reports, improvements agreements and other applicable planning and legal documents.
• Catalogues and maintains historic properties inventory and preservation related documents for public access.
• Serves as a liaison to historic preservation, history and cultural heritage organizations, and other members of the public to promote historic preservation.
• Performs professional planning duties in the review and development of both small- and large-scale applications, policies and programs in support of the City’s goals in alignment with private and public development.
• Develops, organizes and executes public presentations, lectures, printed and recorded material and other publicity and events promoting historic preservation and awareness of the community’s historic resources.
• Gathers and analyzes data on land use, historic preservation, development and related subjects based on present and future conditions, including recommending solutions to problems or conflicts.
• Prepares staff analysis and presents to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, the Community Development Board, and City Commission.
• Provides technical support to the City Commission, committees, and other advisory boards as needed.
• Administers municipal zoning development ordinances, including review of projects for compliance with said ordinances.
• Coordinates review of planned developments and the application process, including acting as project review manager from reception of applications to completion of projects.
• Develops planning-related applications on behalf of the City.
• Explains policies, procedures and regulations to the public, developers, business organizations, contractors, architects and related persons.
• Performs on-site inspections to determine conformance with approved plans.
• Prepares reports for public review, internal use or review by outside organizations, including graphics, to describe projects and program goals or activities.
• Prepares and makes presentations before citizen groups and commissions.
• Determines the appropriateness and validity of data for use in various projects and makes recommendations for additional data collection as needed.
• Coordinates the work of outside planning consultants by administering contracts, preparing Request for Proposal and Scope of Work, managing consultant selection, overseeing contract compliance, and approving payments.
• Utilizes a City vehicle to inspect building sites or attend events.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class.
• Processes applications wishing to use the City’s Tax Abatement for Historic Preservation program.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audiovisual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Performs other duties consistent with the role and function of this classification.

Benefits

• Wage: $50.81 - $55.52 per hour DOE
• Bargaining Unit: Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE)
• Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Exempt
• Work Week: Typically, Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm with occasional evening meetings required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level