City Planner

The City of Concord is seeking a forward thinking, community service oriented individual to fill the position of City Planner in the Community Development Department Planning Division. The City is experiencing a spike in development activity and is regularly listed among the "hottest real estate markets" in the United States.

 The City anticipates the onset of a comprehensive Master Plan update in the near future, leading to the need for a competent professional to lead the division into the implementation of the City's vision and to work collaboratively with city staff, the development community and the City's residents. This position is responsible for directing the daily operations of the Planning Division; supervising and directing the work of all Planning Division staff; oversees staff support for the City's various land use boards, commissions and committees; and coordinating the work associated with the City's Master Plan and the implementation of the Plan (see job description for a full list of duties and responsibilities). Writing, public speaking, plan review, and community engagement skills are highly valued, along with positive energy and a motivation for positive community change.

The City offers competitive pay with a comprehensive benefit package to include low deductible health plans with HSA funding offered by Harvard Pilgrim, Delta Dental to include a lifetime orthodontia benefit, Delta Vision, New Hampshire Retirement System Pension, three choices of 457 Retirement Plans, Paid STD, LTD and PFML as well as free family pool pass for employees, free library card, and member guest rate for employees at our very own Beaver Meadow Golf Course.

JOB SUMMARY:

Performs work of considerable difficulty, managing the daily operations of the Planning Division.  Plans, schedules, organizes, and evaluates work activities and projects to ensure quality standards and timely completion of work.  Interacts with the public and representatives of the media, and collaborates with management staff and elected officials.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Directs the daily operations of the Planning Division; supervises and directs the work of all Planning Division staff; schedules and assigns work; monitors and evaluates performance; holds staff meetings; makes hiring recommendations.

Directly Supervises the Assistant City Planner

• Community Planning, Assistant City Planner

• Zoning, Senior Planner, Administrative Specialist, and other staff as assigned.  Indirectly supervises Planning and Zoning Inspector and Trail Ranger.

Prepares the operating budget for the division, including accomplishments, workload measurements, and management goals; prepares work program for the division; assists Conservation Commission with the preparation of the operating budget for the Commission, the Forestry Fund, and the Conservation Fund.

Prepares items for inclusion in the capital budget and the capital improvement program; oversees preparation of requests for proposals, consultant selection, implementation of work program, and review and approval of invoices.

Assists the City Solicitor in the defense of legal actions against the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and any other Board or Commission for which the Planning Division is the primary staff ; supervises the preparation and copying of certified records; organizes and prepares indices for certified records; confers with City Solicitor or outside counsel; researches board records; attends court proceedings; testifies as required.

Boards and Commissions:

General: Oversees support to City Boards and Commissions for which the Planning Division is primary staff liaison thereof, including the Planning Board, Design Review Committee, Conservation Commission, Heritage Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Technical Review Committee, as well as all related subcommittees of each; assigns staff to support these committees (unless otherwise expressly specified in job descriptions).  Ensure appropriate staff support, preparation agendas, reports, and meeting minutes, and other normal and customary administrative functions required to support Boards and Commissions; attends meetings as appropriate.   Ensure compliance with applicable State laws related thereto.

Planning Board: Serves as Clerk of Planning Board and is responsible for agendas, minutes, reports, meeting setup and format, presentations, communications, and correspondence.

Attends all meetings of the Planning Board, or subcommittees thereof. Reviews Planning Board development permitting applications for subdivision approval, site plan approval, conditional use permits, as well as applications for architectural design approval for compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. Determines if applications are complete.

 Serves as primary point of contact for applicants and their agents for assigned applications.  Coordinates and facilitates review of applications and related submissions with Code Administration Division, Engineering Services Division, General Services Department, Fire Department, as well as consultants and other third parties as applicable. Prepares written responses to applicant, discusses the application with applicant and applicant's agents, and general public.

  Attends Architectural Design Review Committee meetings to present applications, provide recommendations related thereto. Prepares staff reports to the Planning Board with comprehensive analysis of development permit application and recommendations pertaining to completeness, waivers, findings of fact, suggested conditions of approval (precedent and subsequent) or denial of application.  Responds to inquiries from the public and abutters pertaining to assigned development applications and permits / approvals.

Performs site visits and inspections of the subject properties during the application review process.  Performs site inspection of assigned applications during construction activities through issuance of final Certificate of Occupancy to ensure project conforms with conditions of approval, applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations; makes decisions regarding enforcement action as needed to Deputy City Manager

• Development. Completes final inspection of property and approves Certificates of Occupancy for projects as applicable. Following issuance of Certificate of Occupancy, supports the Planning and Zoning Inspector on enforcement actions pertaining with compliance with approved plans and conditions of approval.

Serves as primary staff liaison to the Heritage Commission  and is responsible for Commission's agendas, minutes, reports, meeting setup and format, presentations, communications, and correspondence.

Attends all meetings of the Heritage Commission or subcommittees thereof. Coordinates processing and review of Demolition Review Committee applications with the Code Administrator and Assistant City Planner

• Zoning. Manages the Certified Local Government Program for historic preservation. Prepare and manage grants associated with historic preservation initiatives and programs.

Serves as Planning staff liaison to the Technical Review Committee. Serves as primary staff liaison for the City's Development Team and coordinates all activities related thereto.

Coordinates staff support with City Engineer to Transportation Policy Advisory Committee and Traffic Operations Committee.

Serves as ex-officio member of the Parks and Recreation Policy Advisory Committee (RPAC) in accordance with applicable City Ordinances.  Provides support role to RPAC and the Parks and Recreation Department concerning long-term planning activities to meet City's recreational needs created by new development and evolving demographic trends.

Serves as Planning Division representative on the Poles and Wires Committee.

Supports the City Council and other City Boards and Commissions on as needed basis when directed by the Deputy City Manager

• Development.

Master Planning:

Working closely with the Planning Board and City Administration, prepares the City Master Plan and related updates; coordinates all activities associated therewith; oversees preparation of requests for proposals for Master Plan updates, consultant selection, implementation of work program, development and implementation of public participation strategies associated therewith, and review and approval of invoices.  With respect to municipal utility master plans (water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer), these responsibilities are deferred to the Engineering Services Division or General Services Department as applicable, but will be supported by the City Planner and the Planning Division.  

Ordinances and Regulations:

Prepares zoning ordinance amendments; coordinates and implements all activities associated therewith.

Prepares subdivision, site plan, conditional use permit, architectural design review regulations; coordinates all activities associated therewith.

Administers the Public Capital Facilities Impact Fee Ordinances; develops proposed amendments thereto, prepares cost allocation methodologies and assists in the tracking of fee revenue and expenditures; oversees the preparation of all non-standardized fee assessments; oversees the preparation of the annual review of indices; reviews and responds to all requests for credits and adjustments. Prepares periodic amendments to the Ordinance as warranted.

Miscellaneous:

Conduct research and prepare reports; prepare presentations on Master Plan, development regulations, City Council referrals, and development applications, and other topics as assigned.

Meets and communicates with other city departments and divisions to provide information and support.

Attends meetings of special city committees and civic organizations as requested or necessary; provides information and makes presentations.

Collects and routinely updates data regarding City population and demographics, housing, development activity.

Manages the Energov Permitting Module as it pertains to development permitting applications within the Planning Division's prevue.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred) or equivalent from a college or university in planning, community development, landscape architecture, public administration, geography or related field; and

Ten years of progressively responsible related experience, including 5 years in a supervisory capacity; or

Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid motor vehicle operator's license

AICP Certification (preferred)

APA Member (preferred)

NHPA Member (preferred)

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Personal Computer and/or Terminal                  

Fax Machine

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of municipal planning, zoning, development regulations, and land use law.

Working understanding of principles and practices of civil engineering, transportation engineering, architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, sociology, economic development, historic preservation, ecology and natural resources.

Principles and practices of accounting and budgeting.

Principles and practices of statistics and economics.

Principles and practices of land-use planning and its relationship to transportation and zoning issues.

Principles and practices of new urbanism, sustainability, complete streets, and multimodal corridor design.

Geographic Information Systems.

Principles and practices of management, administration, and supervision.

Computer usage and applications.

Applicable state, federal, and local laws, rules, and regulations relating to zoning, land use, and environmental issues.

Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and report presentation.

Skill in:

Supervising and directing the work of others.

Communicating clearly and effectively with others, both orally and in writing.

Making oral presentations before groups of people.

Planning, organizing, and evaluating the work activities of division personnel.

Preparing and monitoring budgets.

Planning and conducting special projects.

Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.

Developing and maintaining effective and positive professional working relationships with elected officials, City staff, representatives from other governmental agencies, permit applicants, and the general public.

Use of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, etc.) and ESRI ArcGIS products.

Use of Tyler Technology software packages, including Munis accounting software and EnerGov permitting software.

Mental and Physical Abilities to:

Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Apply logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks and to understand, interpret, and communicate complicated policies, procedures, and protocols.

Speak effectively before public groups and respond to questions.

Operate with multiple deadlines and competing demands.

Read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.

Interpret a variety of technical instructions with abstract and/or concrete variables.

Perform duties while typically sitting at a desk or while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, or walking.

Occasionally lift light objects.

Distinguish between shades of color.

Working Conditions:

The work is performed in an office and outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather.