Planner II - Development Review Coordinator

CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE • Wheat Ridge, CO

2d • $64,684 - $79,917 • Hybrid

About The Position

This is full-time (approximately 40 hours per week) position with benefits. This position would work both in the office and out in the community.
The City of Wheat Ridge is seeking a professional planner to join the Community Development Department and Development Review Team. In Wheat Ridge, the Building, Planning, and Engineering divisions jointly review and inspect land use applications through certificate of occupancy. This position represents the Planning Division in that process, playing a key role in coordinating a high volume of building permit submittals, performing zoning inspections, and managing planning expectations with contractors throughout construction.
The ideal candidate will be a strong collaborator and problem solver who values high quality customer service, communicates clearly, and demonstrates initiative. Primary responsibilities include reviewing building permit submittals for zoning compliance, conducting on-site zoning inspections, and coordinating between the Development Review Team and contractors.
Wheat Ridge is an inner-ring suburb of Denver that has been experiencing growth and change over the last decade, including transit-supportive development near the Wheat Ridge · Ward Station, new infrastructure and development at Clear Creek Crossing, master planning at the Lutheran Legacy Campus and on 44th Avenue, bond-funded infrastructure projects, and infill projects of all sizes. Over the last several years, the City has made an effort to shift its organizational culture to engage the community in more meaningful ways with the launch of the Let's Talk Resident Engagement Program, Wheat Ridge Speaks, and What's Up Wheat Ridge. A new comprehensive plan (City Plan) was recently created, and the development and permit volume remains steady.
The City of Wheat Ridge supports professional development by funding training opportunities, and by funding and encouraging AICP certification. The City offers a flexible work policy whereby team members may earn the privilege of working from home for part of the workweek.
Definition:
Performs professional and technical work in planning and land use development for the City of Wheat Ridge through development review coordination between city staff, design professionals, and contractors and other related duties.

Requirements

• Knowledge of zoning principles and construction practices
• Ability to learn and correctly interpret the Wheat Ridge zoning and development code, planned development requirements, and other guiding documents
• Skilled at reading, understanding and correctly interpreting site plans, diagrams, blueprints, maps and specifications
• Ability to accurately perform on-site zoning inspections related to new construction
• Strong customer service skills and skilled at using tact and diplomacy in working with diverse customers
• Competence to interpret complex zoning code language and make informed decisions based on available and acquired information
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• The ability to develop and maintain effective and efficient working relationships with internal and external customers
• Strong written and verbal communication, especially with a variety of design and construction personnel
• Experience using plan review software such as Adobe Pro or BlueBeam
• Experience in or the ability to learn OpenGov permitting portal for permit review and coordination
• Three (3) years of experience as a professional planner, including land use case and building permit review and on-site inspections for planning and zoning compliance. Municipal experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or a related field.
• AICP certified or the desire and ability to become certified.
• Background check, including motor vehicle record, are required
• Possess a current and valid driver's license and maintain a good driving record. If moving from a different state, must obtain a Colorado license within (30) days of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates building permit submittals for compliance with zoning regulations and/or approved plans for a wide range of residential and commercial projects, including, but not limited to:
• Adheres to the City’s adopted review timelines, generally 1-2 week turnaround for residential plan reviews and 2-4 weeks for commercial plan reviews
• Performs same day permit review for walk-in customers with eligible projects during designated weekly times
• Serves as a primary contact for the Planning/Zoning Division as it relates to pending and active building permits
• Completes on-site zoning inspections during various phases of construction to ensure compliance with approved plans and conditions, including setbacks, parking, landscaping, site furnishings/features, and architectural finishes
• Tracks and coordinates requirements prior to issuance of occupancy certificates and can withhold the occupancy certificate until the project is compliant
• Cites and records corrections when found and re-inspects to ensure issues have been corrected
• Enforces the zoning code through review, revisions, and conditions of approval
• Writes comment letters, redlines plans, and communicates with applicants when corrections are required
• Interprets and explains the requirements of the zoning and development code to a wide range of customers, including builders, contractors, homeowners, business owners, design professionals, and other interested parties
• Participates in standing weekly meetings with the planning division and development review team
• Attends pre-application meetings and prepares pre-application comment letters
• Leads pre-construction and/or post-entitlement coordination meetings with construction teams and other city staff
• Performs periodic reporting of permit and inspection activity
• Acts as planner-of-the-day (POD) up to one day per week
• Acts as project manager for minor variances, conditional use permits and/or special use permits and drafts staff reports and approval documents for such applications
• Implements new zoning code amendments as applicable to building permit review and updating permit review checklists
• Assists code enforcement with interpreting zoning codes, and may attend court hearings related to code enforcement citations
• Other duties as assigned as appropriate to the position

Benefits

• The City of Wheat Ridge supports professional development by funding training opportunities, and by funding and encouraging AICP certification.
• The City offers a flexible work policy whereby team members may earn the privilege of working from home for part of the workweek.

What This Job Offers

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