Planning Support Specialist

Matanuska-Susitna Borough•Palmer, AK

About The Position

This position provides technical planning and administrative support for assigned division programs and functions. Current plans and projects include, but are not limited to, Transit & Transportation, Lake Management, Comprehensive Plans, Historic Preservation, and School Walking Routes. The team responds to requests from Community Councils to help provide land use guidance, evaluates connections to land use and transportation systems, works to maintain robust public outreach relating to individual projects and the larger goals of long-range planning efforts, and provides staff support for several boards and commissions, including the MSB Fish & Wildlife Commission, Historical Preservation Commission, and the Transportation Advisory Board. Work is performed and duties are carried out in accordance with established policies, procedures, and Borough core values: Accountability, Customer Focus, Dedication, Integrity, Responsiveness and Teamwork.

Requirements

Associate's degree in a course of study related to the occupational field. Post-secondary education or experience which provides the expertise required to perform effectively the functions of the position may substitute for the degree on a year-for-year basis.
Three (3) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, sufficient to understand and successfully perform the major duties of the position, and to be able to answer questions and resolve problems.
Relevant experience may include: Overall budgeting, project tracking, contract management and invoicing; writing, editing, and distributing various forms of correspondence, legislation, meeting minutes, and public engagement materials; managing mailings, scheduling and facilitating meetings, maintaining records, and supporting overall team project management.
One (1) year of experience must be in an administrative support role.
Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Alaska for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
If assigned driving duties/responsibilities, candidate must be at least 19 years of age with one (1) year of driving experience.
Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) courses, ICS 100 and IS 700, within ninety (90) days of hire.
Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check.

Nice To Haves

A high level of competency in logistical, organizational, and time management skills is welcomed.
As a part of the Planning Division, you may also participate in planning efforts as needed, including conducting research, analyzing data, and preparing and editing plans, studies, and reports.
With the team’s heavy emphasis on community engagement, experience with website design, graphics, communications, and public meetings is beneficial.
We anticipate the Planning Support Specialist will offer support in various ways, adapt smoothly to changing priorities, and solve problems creatively, both independently and in a team setting.

Responsibilities

Prepares disbursement requests, processes invoices for payment, handles financial agreements, purchasing requests, and reimbursement claims.
Participates in budget preparation and monitoring; adjusts budgets as needed; updates internal project tracking data, including costs, progress, and completion dates.
Assists with administrative tasks such as creating, editing, and distributing correspondence, reports, and other materials; ensures accuracy and consistency in documentation.
Acts as the main Records Coordinator, managing division files and records according to the Borough Records Management Program; assists with public records requests.
Attends and facilitates meetings, may facilitate and/or serve as Parliamentarian for Borough boards and commissions associated with the Department’s scope of responsibility, prepares agendas and materials, records minutes, and handles post-meeting documentation.
Develops planning studies and reports to support new and updated plans, programs, and regulations, while assisting in the review of development proposals and site plans to ensure conformance with applicable codes and regulations.
May conduct field evaluations and assessments.
Prepares detailed reports on development proposals for government bodies and collects statistical data, such as census information, land use, tax base data, and occupancy rates, to create reports and maps.
Assists in evaluating rezoning requests, ordinance amendments, site plans, special use permits, and variances, as well as aiding in the implementation of comprehensive plans.
Coordinates the review of public and private development projects and conducts research for both routine and special projects.
Provides information to the public regarding development regulations.
Performs other duties as assigned.