Land Use Planner (Mid To Senior Level)

For over 60 years, DOWL has thrived as an established, highly reputable, professional services consulting firm, recognizing that the foundation of our past, present, and our future is our people. DOWL's foundation is built upon four core values: Inclusion, Integrity, Innovation, and Inspiration. These values are rooted in everything we do. As a valued partner on our Land Use Planning team, you will be one of the People Who Make It Happen!

Summary

The Land Use Planner supports planning, landscape architecture, and land development projects by applying an advanced understanding of land use regulations and site plan development knowledge to large, complex projects. Duties include conducting research and site analysis, reviewing municipal land use regulations, analyzing data, preparing land use applications and public notices, and preparing technical reports and presentation materials with no oversight. The person in this position is expected to exercise a strong work ethic, an appetite to learn new concepts, and have excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills. This person should demonstrate an advanced understanding of land use concepts and be able to quickly learn and apply new concepts. They are expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary. This individual will work under the guidance of experienced land use planners.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Advanced

• Market Sector Software (Microsoft Project) - Advanced

Technical Expertise

• Advanced understanding of technical fundamentals

• Demonstrates expertise to others within and beyond the market sector

• Provides unique solutions to complex technical challenges

• Leads internal mentoring and quality control of complex deliverables

• Leads presentations at neighborhood meetings, commission/council hearings, and stakeholder groups for projects with a high degree of complexity and/or opposition

Teamwork

Team player and team leader with the ability to follow on large or complex projects. Provides clear communication and direction, sets expectations, and takes responsibility for results of the team.

Project Delivery

Leads the production of, and provides quality control for the following:

• Technical reports and memos

• Regulatory compliance findings

• Preliminary project schedules

• Public presentation materials

• Scopes of work and fee proposals

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Demonstrates ability to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Ability to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Develops budgets and schedules for complex projects and breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Demonstrates ability to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver projects on time and on budget. Mentors others.

Industry Standards and Regulations

Interprets and advises on the following codes and plan documents. Actively mentors others on interpreting codes and plan documents. Understands limitations and design parameters afforded under applicable codes:

• State land use statutes

• State land use administrative code

• Local comprehensive plans

• Local development/regulatory code

• Clean Water Act (wetland) permit programs

• Federal permitting programs (NEPA, ESA, Section 106 of the NHPA, etc.)

Client Interaction

Frequent direct communications with clients on large and complex projects. Leads technical client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks. Participates in project interviews.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Primarily performs advanced technical tasks on complex, demanding projects for the market sector. Operates with a high level of autonomy. Reviews the work of others. Mentors others with less experience. May provide some project management services including preparing scope of work and fee proposals for projects and direct client management and negotiations for contracts and contract amendments.

Supervisory Duties

May be a supervisor:

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team

• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks

• Recruits and hires new employees

• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff.

• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa.

• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching.

• Sets goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company's plans and vision and communicates them to employees.

• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.

• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance.

• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required.

• Masters Degree in Urban Planning or related field (e.g., Geography, Landscape Architecture, Architecture) preferred

• Years of experience required: 10 years

• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 9 years.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred.

• Must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Geographic location is taken into consideration for compensation.