Senior City Planner

Nature of Work

This position performs a supervisory role for all current planning activities conducted in the Planning and Community Development Department and regularly acts as the lead Planner for development projects with high complexity and public scrutiny. The position will periodically perform a project management role in long-range planning. The Deputy Director and Director administer broad guidance on the quality of work and progress on longer-range tasks.

Essential Functions of Work

• Supervises all current planning work of the Assistant City Planner and the Associate City Planner positions.

• Reviews and ensures the accurate and timely delivery of customer service information for all Planner of the Day staff.

• Provides quality control for the thorough and expeditious review of development projects/permits, assisting the Deputy Director in reviewing all staff reports required for public hearings.

• Oversees the development of current planner presentations at the Board of Adjustment and Planning Advisory Board hearings.

• Generally acts as the lead current planner for development projects with high complexity and potential public scrutiny, such as rezones, Planned Unit Developments, Conditional Use Permits, Annexations, and Major Subdivisions.

• As determined by the Deputy Director and Director, acts as the department's long-range planning manager for specific special projects. Project areas may include comprehensive, neighborhood, special area/corridor plans, and other special studies.

• Works in collaboration with the Deputy Director to develop regular code amendment packages for Title 17 - the Land Development Code for the City of Great Falls.

• Oversees the review of subdivision plats with applicable Cascade County agencies.

• Performs and supervises zoning inspections for projects requiring Certificates of Occupancy.

• Provide zoning assistance for the department's Code Enforcement Technician in resolving code enforcement cases.

• Assists in disseminating planning and zoning information to contractors, homeowners, organizations, businesses, government agencies/departments, and the general public as requested.

Education and Experience

Travel is primarily local during the business day. Occasional travel may be required to attend off-site training and educational opportunities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in planning, civil engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, or a related field.

• Four or more years of planning experience, with at least two years as an Associate Planner or related experience.

• A Master's degree with major coursework in planning, civil engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, or a related field is preferred and may be substituted for experience.

• AICP Certification is preferred.

• Mainframe and personal computer experience (Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite software.)

• GIS mapping capability.

Requirements of Work

• Must be able to convey complex zoning information and planning concepts through possession of excellent oral and written communication skills.

• The position requires a strong understanding of the role of related organizations such as Public Works, Parks, City public safety divisions, and the County and State entities in the development review process. Incumbents must be capable of incorporating intergovernmental interests into the development review process.

• The incumbent must communicate tactfully, sometimes in stressful situations, with members of the public, Neighborhood Councils, and appointed and elected officials.

• Work requires excellent attention to detail to ensure zoning requirements are consistently and accurately reviewed during the current planning process.

• For the incumbent to simultaneously perform current planning management and long-range project development, the incumbent must possess a very high level of organizational skills and independent decision-making capability.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Ethical Conduct

• Attention to Detail

• High-level organizational skills

• Independent Decision Making

• Oral and Written Communication Proficiency

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position supervises the planning work of the Assistant City Planner and the Associate City Planner positions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, reach, ride, and perform similar body movements. Must have the ability to perform light physical work and to lift and occasionally carry up to 25 pounds at a time; the possession of hand/eye coordination sufficient to operate a personal computer, office equipment, and a motor vehicle; the ability to talkand hear in person or by telephone; and the ability to see and read instructions and reports.

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

The work schedule is a 40-hour work week, Sunday through Saturday. Normal work hours are Monday through Friday. This position is exempt and ineligible for overtime.

TRAVEL

Travel is primarily local during the business day. Occasional travel may be required to attend off-site training and educational opportunities.