Land Use Planner

State of Nevada•Carson City, NV

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (NDCNR) protects, manages, and enhances the State's resources to provide the highest quality of life for Nevada's citizens and visitors. The NDCNR with over 900 employees consists of the Director's Office and the following divisions and programs: Environmental Protection, Forestry, State Lands, State Parks, Water Resources, Outdoor Recreation, Natural Heritage, State Historic Preservation Office, Off-Highway Vehicles, Sagebrush Ecosystem, and the Conservation Districts Program. The Department also provides support staff to the Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and has responsibility for numerous Boards, Commissions, and Councils. The Department has locations and/or provides program services in every community of the State. The Nevada Division of State Lands (NDSL) is recruiting for a Land Use Planner located in our Carson City office. Under general direction, incumbents are responsible for representing the division in various land use planning capacities. They serve as staff to state and regional planning boards and commissions; provide information to all levels of government regarding public land and natural resource activities and proposals on federal lands in conjunction with operating the Nevada State Clearinghouse; manage the State Lands Portfolio; track and analyze the impact of Congressional land bills and proposals on public land management in Nevada; provide planning expertise to local governments; and develop master plans for the division and client state agencies. Incumbents possess working knowledge of the purpose and relationship of Federal, State and local governmental and advisory bodies in the provision of services and the exercise of regulatory control including NRS Sections 278 and 321; the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); the enabling acts for Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, and related agencies; and masterplan and zoning processes relevant to the economic, physical, geographical and demographic characteristics of local communities in Nevada and the state as a whole. The incumbent is responsible for managing the Nevada State Clearinghouse database, by Executive Order, the single point of contact for all NEPA proposals with the potential to impact land use activities in the State. The incumbent is responsible for serving as Cooperating Agency staff on proposed projects and planning efforts on federal land when appropriate. The incumbent is responsible, in coordination with the State Land Office, for managing the division's Land Portfolio, a database of the state's real property assets. The incumbent may assist with individual city and county governing bodies and planning commissions to provide technical assistance in the development of community and county master plans, zoning ordinances and land division ordinances; may coordinate with these bodies to communicate the state's interests in local planning efforts and projects; and disseminate information on planning law and planning processes. Land Use Planners assist local governments and public entities to develop and revise land use ordinances, master plans and land use planning documents.

Requirements

Three or more years of applicable experience as described in the job duties
Graduation from high school or equivalent education
Knowledge of applicable federal and State laws, regulations, and agency policies and procedures
Knowledge of the goals and responsibilities of federal land management agencies and methods used to manage federal lands
Knowledge of State requirements in the development of master plans and zoning requirements
Knowledge of the purpose and relationship of federal, State, and local governmental and advisory bodies in the provision of services and the exercise of regulatory control
Knowledge of the economic, physical, geographical, and demographic characteristics of local communities
Knowledge of land use planning; zoning principles and practices; development and revision of land use documents and ordinances; research methods; principles, practices, and techniques of training; graphic presentation methods and materials; graphic mapping systems
Skill in interpersonal and communication, both verbal and written
Skill in use and operation of office and job-related equipment and software
Ability to analyze land use planning problems, situations, practices, and procedures and formulate logical and objective conclusions
Ability to mediate complex land use conflicts involving commercial, residential, environmental, and community land issues and negotiate consensus solutions
Ability to develop comprehensive land use plans and policies
Ability to evaluate land use planning laws and recommend changes in land use legislation
Ability to coordinate and facilitate conferences and meetings for federal, State, local, and public interest groups
Ability to respond to land use planning issues during public meetings, hearings, and workshops
Ability to make presentations to various groups
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with federal, State, and local officials and representatives
Ability to conduct land use planning research, studies, and projects on a statewide basis
Ability to direct critical land use planning projects involving environmentally sensitive areas
Ability to read and interpret technical land use planning information
Ability to write concise, logical, grammatically correct correspondence, legal documents, and reports
Ability to anticipate changes in land use demands, needs, and trends
Ability to project demographic changes based on current factors, historical trends, available resources, and social and physical constraints
Ability to read and interpret maps, identify site boundaries, and read legal descriptions
Ability to identify sources of information and compile data pertinent to land use planning

Responsibilities

Represent the agency and administrator in discussions on controversial land use issues in public hearings and forums, facilitate meetings, negotiating, and mediating conflicts.
Develop and revise ordinances, master plans, and land use planning documents, conducting research, analyzing trends, and making policy recommendations.
Manage land use planning projects.
Provide training and expertise to State and local agencies on land use planning subjects, creating curriculum, materials, and conducting classes.
Review federal agencies' activities related to the use and management of federal land, assisting local governments in negotiations.
Offer regulatory information and assistance to local governments regarding federal lands, updating land use plans and policies.
Develop legislation related to land use and ownership, analyze laws, land use patterns, and facilitate consensus among stakeholders.
Represent the division to various entities, provide information to legislative bodies, analyze Congressional bills, offer expertise and training to local governments, and provide testimony to legislative bodies.
Review existing land use planning documents for accuracy and value, assessing proposed changes and development projects for impact and compatibility.
Coordinate and facilitate meetings for the State Land Use Planning Advisory Council, including scheduling dates, determining site locations, selecting speakers, and compiling, distributing, and posting meeting agendas, agency reports, informational material, and meeting minutes.
Perform related duties as assigned.