CITY PLANNER III $63,890-$75,071, DOE  

• Direct Hire
• Hiring range $63,890 – $75,071
• Grade range $63,890-$86,252
• Excellent City career opportunity in the beautiful Treasure Valley

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Planning and Zoning Administrator, performs advanced professional technical work related to land use planning, zoning, construction plan review, building and site inspection, and code enforcement. Provides advanced technical expertise to elected officials, boards, commissions, and the public. The position acts in a Lead role as needed. Work involves extensive communication across the City’s departments, other agencies, and stakeholders. The Planner III operates with a greater level of autonomy in carrying out duties.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

    Provides subject matter expertise to developers regarding land use and design review proposals, focusing on more complex projects
    Conducts in-depth research and analysis of land use and design review proposals to ensure compliance with City and State codes while identifying potential financial impact; prepares staff reports regarding the same
    Responds to escalated inquiries from the public and developers regarding planning and zoning-related issues; planning application procedures; City planning and zoning regulations and ordinances; and trails and pathways-related matters
    Prepares and presents technical staff report overviews and makes recommendations to the City Council. Design Review Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Parks and Pathways Recreation Commission, and other City boards and commissions
    Analyzes and interprets data to produce staff reports regarding amendments to the comprehensive plan and City ordinances
    Evaluate complex building and site construction plans; conduct subdivision, building, trails and pathways, parks, or site inspections to ensure compliance with specific planning and zoning-related requirements and other City codes
    Required to attend night meetings and deliver oral presentations
    Recommends procedures for processing development applications and ordinance revisions and implements approved policies
    Recommends new policies and procedures both within the Planning and Zoning Department and in conjunction with other City departments
    Provides expertise in the development and implementation of both the department and the City’s short-range and long-range plans
    Prepares findings of fact and conclusions of law documents on development applications for the Design Review Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, and City Council
    Prepares land use-related documents, including agreements, ordinances, and resolutions
    Confers with the public and special interest groups to seek input and coordinate efforts on City-related endeavors
    Makes recommendations for budgetary consideration in the capital maintenance plan and capital improvement plan to the City Council
    Monitors the work of contractors and provides project management, as needed
    Writes grant applications, as needed; provides oversight of project awards
    Serves as a departmental lead, providing mentoring and guidance; may delegate and oversee work processes
    Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices
    May support transportation policy, program, plan, and project development. Facilitates the coordination of transportation infrastructure planning with outside agencies and advocates for the prioritization of City initiatives
    May serve as floodplain administrator; ensures adherence to related laws and regulations
    May provide oversight of the Parks and Pathways master plan; ensures adherence to trails and pathways standards
    May be assigned special projects based on subject matter expertise
    Performs other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Required

    Advanced knowledge of the principles, theories, and objectives of state and local area laws, codes, and other regulations pertinent to planning, zoning, and community development
    Advanced knowledge of the practices and principles of rural and urban planning and zoning
    Advanced knowledge of zoning laws and comprehensive plans, including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement
    Ability to read and understand complex site plans and blueprints
    Research techniques and report compilation
    Ability to solve problems using the principles of logic
    Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
    Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, area circumference, and volume
    Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry
    Ability to present information in a group setting in an interactive manner.
    Demonstrated skills using oral and written communication in the performance of duties, including internal and public presentations
    Ability to make decisions under pressure, deal with the public in a manner that represents mature judgment, manage stress, and handle multiple priorities.
    Ability to operate office equipment and computer programs. Specific skill in the use of MS Office Suite, particularly: Word, Outlook, and Excel, and department-specific software
    Ability to apply tact and good judgment
    Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, officials, and co-workers

Preferred

    Knowledge of floodplain management
    Knowledge of trails and pathways design, management, and related long-range planning

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

Minimum

    Bachelor’s degree in planning or planning-related field
    Minimum four (4) years planning-related experience
    Or any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the equivalent necessary for satisfactory job performance
    Legally authorized to work in the US

Preferred

    Master’s degree in planning or planning-related field

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATIONS

Required

    Possess and maintain a valid Idaho Driver’s License

Preferred

    American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
    Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)
    Trails or pathways-related certification
    Certified Grant Administrator

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

    This position is primarily sedentary but requires frequent walking in conditions as outlined in field inspections
    Occasionally requires climbing and kneeling
    Ability to see, with or without corrective lenses, well enough to read standard text
    Ability to hear, with or without hearing support devices, well enough to converse on the telephone
    Ability to speak well enough to verbally converse with others; especially on the telephone
    Sufficient manual dexterity to write and operate office machines
    Work is performed in an office environment with occasional site visits in the field
    Indoors: 95% Outdoors: 5%
    Local travel in City vehicles is required, and occasional regional travel may be required

WORK SCHEDULE

    This job typically requires the employee to work weekdays (Monday – Friday)
    This job requires the employee to work a varied schedule, including days and evenings
    The position schedule is subject to change at any time at the discretion of management