Project Planner

Description

The City of Roanoke is looking for a dynamic Senior Planner to assist the public with land use and development processes to facilitate comprehensive customer service through project management. The ideal candidate for Senior Planner/Project Manager has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrates proficiency in the application of land use regulations and development codes, and is preferably an effective advocate of high quality urban design principles.

We are looking to equip an emerging leader in the planning field with a portfolio of work intended to enrich their practical experience, encourage sound decision-making, and maximize professional autonomy within a non-supervisory role.

This position reports to the City's Principal Planner within the Department of Planning, Building, and Development.

Our Department culture aspires to be inclusive and progressive. Change agents are preferred and welcome.

We serve and celebrate a community rich in diversity. Here in the City of Roanoke, we value the vibrant urban character of our compact city of 100,000 residents, boast an historic downtown, traditional neighborhoods, all nestled within the natural beauty of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.

Come contribute to the proud planning legacy here in the City of Roanoke!

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.

This is an exempt position.

Examples of Duties

Contributes to both short and long-range planning projects. Works with applicants and manages zoning amendments (rezoning applications) and special exception applications by evaluating requests and making and presenting recommendations to Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Acts as a continuous point-of-contact for both customers and staff through the development process. Provides comprehensive neighborhood and community development planning. Implements plans through projects and programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Reviews development plans and other applications for compliance with the zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, and related development codes.

• Guides designated development applications throughout the regulatory process, monitoring progress toward rezoning, special exception, certificate of appropriateness, site plan approval, permit issuance, final inspection, and certificate of occupancy.

• Acts as the ombudsmen and partner with other City departments to help ensure the applicant successfully navigates development requirements by establishing strong, cooperative relationships with department management and subject-matter experts.

• Performs public outreach to educate the public and business community regarding the services offered and to receive input to establish the best customer service practices.

• Develops, coordinates and makes presentations of various neighborhood and community development planning projects and associated public participation processes.

• Coordinates and facilitates planning activities with other departments and staff, including City Council, council-appointed boards, outside organizations, neighborhood associations, etc.

• Continually reviews, evaluates, and implements best code processes and customer relation practices found across the country; uses surveys or other means of monitoring to adjust the program to maintain a high-quality level of service.

• Leads, organizes, directs and prepares complex technical planning reports and studies, including data collection and survey, mapping, graphics, public information materials, and proposed code amendments.

• Provides guidance and assistance to supporting personnel assigned to projects; monitors and reports on preparation of plans, implementation of plans, and tracking and reporting of housing production, development activity and other relevant trends.

• May supervise and manage planning and development projects contracted to private consultants.

• May serve as agent to the Architectural Review Board and manage caseload of applications for work performed in historic districts and or Neighborhood Design Overlays.

• Serves as professional staff to other boards and commissions as required.

• May be assigned to special projects as needed

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, 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. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university in urban planning or related field; Master's in Urban Planning, preferred but not required; five years related experience and/or training in an urban community; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in managing multiple projects, and working with appointed governmental bodies

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Professional AICP certification preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from citizens, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community orally and in writing.

Ability to effectively present information to management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret and deal with an extensive variety of variables.

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 job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include 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 job. 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. This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

This is an exempt position.