Planning Services - Planner I, II, III

City of Abilene•Abilene, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs professional planning work related to land use, zoning, development review, community planning, and related planning programs. Conducts research and analysis, reviews development proposals, interprets and applies applicable laws, ordinances, policies, and regulations, and prepares reports and recommendations. Provides technical assistance to the public, applicants, consultants, and City boards and commissions and supports the development and implementation of plans, policies, programs, and regulations. The position has three levels: Planner I (no supervisory responsibility), Planner II (may function as a lead over lower-level staff on assigned projects), and Planner III (may supervise lower-level staff, provide project leadership, technical direction, and staff development).

Requirements

Knowledge of principles and practices of community planning, land use planning, zoning, development review, and subdivision regulations.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures related to planning and development.
Knowledge of basic research, data collection, statistical, algebraic, and geographic concepts applicable to planning.
Knowledge of planning-related computer applications and technology, including GIS, Microsoft Office, and other software used in planning activities.
Advanced principles and practices of community planning, land use planning, zoning, development review, subdivision regulations, comprehensive planning, and long-range planning.
Federal and state laws, regulations, and programs applicable to urban planning, land use, development, and related municipal programs.
Research methodologies, data analysis, planning project coordination, and applicable GIS, mapping, database, and visualization technologies.
Advanced principles, practices, philosophies, and techniques of community planning, land use, zoning, subdivision, comprehensive planning, community development, and related disciplines.
Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and programs affecting land use, development, zoning, and community planning.
Advanced research methodologies, project management principles, stakeholder engagement, consultant coordination, and planning-related technology.
Ability to review planning and development documents for completeness and conformance with established requirements.
Ability to conduct research, organize information, prepare written materials, and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to interpret and apply complex laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and adopted plans.
Ability to evaluate complex development proposals, analyze competing interests, and prepare professional reports and recommendations.
Ability to present technical information and professional recommendations effectively to boards, commissions, City staff, applicants, consultants, and the public.
Ability to analyze complex planning, land use, zoning, development, and policy issues and develop sound professional recommendations.
Ability to manage complex planning studies, development applications, comprehensive planning initiatives, and other major planning projects.
Ability to prepare and present comprehensive technical reports, policy recommendations, and professional planning documents to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to provide advanced technical guidance, mentoring, project leadership, and supervision when specifically assigned.
Ability to apply basic planning principles and professional judgment to assigned planning and development matters.
Ability to analyze information, identify relevant issues, and develop practical recommendations.
Ability to work independently within established guidelines while recognizing when guidance or additional review is appropriate.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and in accordance with applicable laws and City policies.
Ability to follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, including experience in land use, zoning, development review, community planning, or a related planning field (for Planner II).
Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience at a level comparable to Planner II, including experience with complex development review, comprehensive or long-range planning, land use policy, ordinance or regulation development, planning studies, or other advanced professional planning assignments (for Planner III).
High school diploma or GED required.
A Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.
Must possess an ICC Zoning Inspector certification or other comparable zoning, planning, or development-related professional certification approved by the City at the time of appointment (for Planner II and III).
Must be able to conduct field inspections and site visits, including walking over uneven terrain, accessing active development sites, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

An Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, city and regional planning, urban studies, geography, public administration, architecture, or a closely related field is preferred (for Planner I).
Relevant coursework, training, internships, or other educational experience in planning, zoning, land use, development review, GIS, or a related field is preferred (for Planner I).
Additional coursework, professional training, or continuing education in land use, zoning, development review, comprehensive planning, GIS, or a related planning discipline is preferred (for Planner II).
Additional professional education, advanced coursework, or specialized training in land use, zoning, comprehensive planning, urban design, economic development, affordable housing, GIS, or another relevant planning discipline is preferred (for Planner III).

Responsibilities

Performs professional planning work involving land use, zoning, development review, and related planning activities.
Provides technical assistance to applicants, property owners, developers, consultants, City staff, and the public regarding zoning, land use, development standards, and applicable plans, ordinances, policies, and regulations.
Reviews assigned development applications and plans, including site plans, zoning change requests, conditional use permits, variances, subdivision plats, and other land use applications, for completeness and compliance with applicable requirements.
Interprets applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures and provides information regarding zoning districts, permitted and conditional uses, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, signage, and other development standards.
Conducts research, field investigations, and site inspections; documents findings and assists with compliance and enforcement activities involving potential zoning violations or development deficiencies.
Prepares or assists with staff reports, public notices, maps, presentations, research summaries, and other materials for planning applications, public hearings, boards, commissions, and assigned planning projects.
Assists higher-level planning staff with comprehensive planning activities, planning studies, ordinance updates, and other planning initiatives.
Coordinates routine project information with applicants and professional consultants.
Operates a City vehicle to visit other work locations, conduct site inspections, post required notices, attend meetings and events, and perform other field-related planning activities.
Independently reviews and evaluates moderately complex to complex development applications and proposals for compliance with applicable ordinances, zoning regulations, development standards, adopted plans, policies, and other requirements.
Processes complex commercial and mixed-use development proposals and exercises established approval authority for site plans and other development applications.
Conducts independent research and analysis involving land use, zoning, development, demographics, census information, tax base data, occupancy, and other community planning issues and develops professional recommendations.
Prepares and presents staff reports, planning studies, technical reports, maps, presentations, recommendations, and other professional materials for City staff, boards, commissions, and other decision-making bodies.
Evaluates planning and development issues involving multiple regulations, policies, technical considerations, or competing interests and identifies deficiencies, impacts, alternatives, and appropriate solutions.
Assists with the development, review, and maintenance of the Comprehensive Plan, zoning and subdivision regulations, land development regulations, ordinances, policies, and other long-range planning documents.
Coordinates assigned planning projects with applicants, consultants, City departments, outside agencies, boards and commissions, and other stakeholders.
Provides technical guidance to Planner I and other staff without exercising supervisory authority.
Performs advanced professional planning work involving complex land use, zoning, development, community planning, and policy issues and exercises a high degree of professional judgment.
Independently manages complex development applications and planning projects involving significant regulatory, technical, economic, environmental, policy, or community considerations.
Reviews and processes major land use and development proposals, including comprehensive plan amendments, zoning changes, annexations, site plans, subdivision plats, conditional use permits, variances, and related proposals.
Leads the preparation and implementation of comprehensive plans, area plans, land use studies, development regulations, zoning regulations, ordinances, policies, and other long-range planning initiatives.
Conducts advanced research and analysis and prepares comprehensive technical reports, recommendations, presentations, and other professional planning documents for City staff, boards, commissions, City Council, and other decision-making bodies as assigned.
Coordinates complex planning projects involving multiple City departments, governmental agencies, consultants, developers, property owners, community stakeholders, and other partners.
Evaluates consultant proposals, scopes of work, and technical studies as assigned.
Provides advanced technical guidance, mentoring, and professional assistance to planning staff.
Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned staff when specifically assigned.
Performs other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.