Permits and Enforcement - Principal Land Use Planner

Allen County Indiana•Fort Wayne, IN

About The Position

The Principal Land Use Planner – Permits and Enforcement works under the direction of the Senior Land Use Planner – Permits and Enforcement in the Allen County Department of Planning Services, a joint Fort Wayne and Allen County land use department. The position provides professional guidance, technical assistance, and zoning ordinance interpretation for community land use projects. It administers permit reviews, zoning applications, floodplain reviews, and sign permits, and supports zoning enforcement in Fort Wayne and Allen County. The role is covered by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Allen Employee Handbook. The planner works with applicants, department staff, government agencies, professionals, elected officials, and the public to review land use applications and communicate ordinance requirements. The role also contributes to GIS mapping, departmental procedures, research, reporting, and analysis. It works in a standard office environment and may require overtime.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Public Administration, Community Development, or a related field.
Three years of experience in land use management or zoning ordinance administration.
Valid driver’s license to operate a county vehicle.
Demonstrated knowledge of GIS mapping.
Experience with zoning ordinance enforcement from the initial complaint through court preparation and testimony.
Experience processing, reviewing, and managing commercial and industrial projects.
Knowledge of planning principles and practices to review plans and apply ordinance standards to determine compliance.
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, including public speaking, to communicate complicated information effectively to coworkers, the public, and government bodies.
Knowledge of research practices and principles for writing reports and answering applicant questions.
Strong customer service skills and willingness to work with others.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and other job-related software.

Nice To Haves

Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) credential, or the ability to obtain it within the first 24 months of employment.
Experience using Accela permitting software.

Responsibilities

Interpret Allen County and City of Fort Wayne zoning ordinance policies and procedures for staff and the public.
Prepare zoning opinions, policy interpretations, and implementation methods for land use projects and inquiries.
Provide technical planning assistance to incorporated cities and towns in Allen County, including assistance with rezoning, land use change applications, utility issues, ordinances, and community plans.
Coordinate with applicants, reviewing agencies, staff, and professionals such as architects, engineers, and contractors during application reviews.
Develop workflows and manuals for departmental operating procedures.
Administer floodplain reviews for permits and public hearing projects in coordination with applicants, staff, government agencies, and interested parties.
Maintain, update, and develop GIS mapping as the principal staff person responsible for that work.
Administer permit reviews, including reviewing, distributing, approving, and communicating requirements for land use applications, site plans, and landscape plans.
Assist with zoning ordinance enforcement for Fort Wayne and Allen County, from complaint initiation through compliance or preparation of court documents with the department attorney.
Prepare court documents and provide expert testimony in legal proceedings.
Explain deficient ordinance standards clearly and review revisions for compliance.
Communicate with the public by telephone, email, letters, and in person, and fulfill research requests about zoning ordinances and department procedures.
Coordinate with professionals, elected officials, and government agencies associated with planning applications and projects.
Process and approve commercial and industrial permits.
Research and compile information from departmental and other government databases, paper files, and the Internet; maintain project and correspondence data.
Prepare analytical and statistical information, build and use reports, and create presentations to analyze office processes, trends, and community views.
Assist applicants with permits and zoning ordinances and land use change applications; process and review zoning ordinance land use change applications.
Review and approve lighting, buffering, signage, and site plans for compliance with zoning ordinances and conditions of approval.
Administer the Fort Wayne and Allen County sign ordinance by reviewing and approving sign permit applications.
Perform other assigned duties, including overtime as required.