Planner

The purpose of this classification is to provide professional planning expertise while collaborating with various individuals regarding the implementation of processes related to city planning goals and objectives. Provides technical expertise in the review of submittals as specified in the Land Use and Development Ordinance or other specified city ordinance. Acts as a point of contact for customer inquiries related to the application and enforcement of various City codes, including zoning, subdivision, and related issues of concern. Consults with the Director of Community Development to strategize and execute long-term and short-term goals for the department; understand and resolve problems, and receive advice/direction. Communicates with various individuals, agencies, board/commissions as needed to coordinate work activities, review the status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction or professional planning expertise. Utilizes appropriate checklists to review submittals to the Board of Zoning Adjustment and Planning Commission such as site plans, subdivision plats, construction plans, and specifications to ensure code and ordinance compliance, and collaborates with applicants/agents to exchange information prior to submitting a report of findings to the director for review. Makes recommendations regarding plan review and submittals. Communicates with various groups and individuals to gather and provide information regarding planning, zoning, and development issues; provides information and answers to the public concerning zoning regulations, assists applicants in completing application forms when needed; attends various board meetings to provide information and answers regarding applications and relates issues; advises board members of zoning ordinances and code requirements. Performs administrative tasks to support the daily activities of the department and division; pulls files to research action on property; re-files documents, organizes files room; provides testimony in court as needed. Performs tasks involving various applications; reviews applications for compliance with zoning ordinances; assists in determining if any additional review of an application is necessary; meets with applicants to discuss project; prepares correspondence notifying applicants of information missing from applications; reviews rejected applications to determine missing information; revises and formulates recommendations and conditions for approval of applications; researches approved applications to determine compliance with Commission/Board requests; visits application sites, visually examines and photographs site; reviews photographs of sites; prepares applications, supplemental material and related information to Board members upon review and approval by the director;. Reviews rezoning applications and supplemental material for compliance with the comprehensive plan and compatibility with surrounding vicinity and makes a recommendation regarding approval; reviews and approves the surveys, variance requests, and tree surveys within the rezoning applications; inspects the site during the rezoning process; ensures that advertisement sign has been set on the property, presents the rezoning application to the commission; notifies applicant of incomplete application and deficiencies within the plan; discusses issues involved in the rezoning with outside agencies; reviews and approves related media ads; writes action letters regarding rezoning outcome. Performs technical tasks in completing daily duties; assesses proposed commercial development to determine if further approval by a board is necessary; researches complex issues; conducts special research projects as assigned. Attends and participates in a variety of meetings and sessions in person or via virtual platforms; coordinates and conducts interagency meetings as needed. Operates a personal computer, large format printer, copier, phone system, engineering's scale, tape measure, and other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, and other system software utilized by the department. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of zoning laws and principles pertaining to land use and development. Practical knowledge and skills in professional planning, land development, practice and theory as it relates to municipal government operations. Ability to work well in team setting to identify and resolve complex issues. Ability to communicate and carryout instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form. Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism and produce quality work products while working with the public, staff and officials. Ability to work independently in carrying out duties and responsibilities with minimal need for oversight. Knowledge of advanced arithmetic operations, presentation skills, GIS software and other similar tools. Skill in starting, stopping, operating and monitoring the functioning of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Ability to evaluate, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility. Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information. Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; ability to utilize principles of fractions; Ability to interpret graphs. Ability to apply principles of rational systems. Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or closely related field; and two (2) years of experience in planning or property development activities with knowledge of GIS operations, City Code and Ordinances, and familiarity with City geography, streets, and businesses; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Licenses or Certifications:

Valid State of Alabama driver's license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is light work which requires work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force. Work requires the ability to exert very moderate physical effort, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an office environment. Essential functions are performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.