Positions assigned to this class are responsible for performing and leading advanced level professional land use and urban planning work including current and long-range planning activities for the Town.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a senior level professional classification in the planning job family. Incumbent(s) perform the full range of advanced planning duties that demonstrates broad practical knowledge in a variety of processes, methods, techniques and best practices. Work involves planning and coordinating difficult assignments, the modification of established guidelines, and the initiation of new approaches. May be responsible for supervising assigned staff which includes prioritizing, assigning and monitoring work assignments, conducting performance evaluations, coordinating and providing training; implementing hiring, discipline and termination procedures.
Examples of Duties:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the Town’s needs.

Conducts technical research and analysis, manages projects for long-range planning, evaluates findings, identifies significant issues, determines options, and develops staff recommendations on difficult and complex residential and non-residential projects. Projects include, but not limited to, site plans, rezoning, conditional use permits, subdivision plats, general plan amendments, and variances that also include management of formal and informal work teams.
Writes staff reports and prepares visual presentations for planning cases involving subdivision plats, conditional use permits, rezoning, variances, site plans, and general plan amendments; presents reports to the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Town Council and neighborhood groups.
Participates in meetings with applicants, property owners, engineers, developers, architects, attorneys, Town staff, elected officials, appointed officials, outside agencies and the public to manage projects, and to resolve departmental and planning issues.
Participates in staff, agency, and committee meetings related to regional planning and development matters; assists with facilitating the development review process.
Serves as department representative on various committees at the regional level; works with other governmental agencies and officials.
Prepares staff reports and accurate project schedules.
Manages and assists with special and ongoing projects, which includes coordination with department staff and/or other internal departments.
Assists with the preparation of a variety of reports, which includes conducting research, analyzing findings, developing reports and recommendations, and presenting and disseminating information and findings to appropriate staff and/or stakeholders.
Manages the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment programs; presents planning related cases to the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Town Council and neighborhood groups.
Assists customers at the front counter and over the phone with technical questions relating to planning and zoning issues.
Provides technical guidance and support to internal departments and staff.
Coordinates work activities with other units, committees, or agencies to prevent delays in action required, ensures compliance with applicable regulations, and to improve services to the public.
Participates in drafting department operating procedures, text amendments, and general plan amendments and updates; collects information on operational and administrative problems and performs comprehensive analysis; synthesizes information and makes recommendations on policy issues; prepares comprehensive administrative, operational, and statistical reports or manuals for use by internal and/or external organizations.
Assists with the preparation and monitoring of annual department operating budgets; assists with the coordination of mid-year budget adjustments.
Supervises assigned staff to include: prioritizing, assigning and monitoring work; coaching and conducting performance evaluations and following staff discipline and termination procedures; ensuring staff are trained; monitoring to ensure that staff follow policies and procedures; assisting in hiring, disciplining or termination of assigned staff.
Performs related work as assigned.
Typical Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (at job entry)
Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Urban Planning, Architecture, Transportation, Public Administration, or a related field and 5 years of planning and/or design experience; or an equivalent combination of directly related education and experience. Master’s Degree preferred.
LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Driver’s License;
Planner certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners;
Maintain all certifications/licenses required at job entry.
KNOWLEDGE

Community development issues and concerns;
Long-range urban planning principles, methods and practices;
Applicable Federal, state and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations;
Standard office equipment including the computer and programs relevant to the performance of applicable duties and responsibilities;
Land use and development principles and theories;
Supervisory principles; practices, and techniques;
Customer service principles and practices.
SKILLS

Providing technical direction and guidance to lower-level staff;
Developing long-range urban plans;
Researching, analyzing, and developing plans and the preparation of technical reports;
Giving public presentations;
Applying modern urban planning principles and practices;
Managing assigned projects and programs;
Resolving conflict;
Reading, interpreting and evaluating different types of plans, and applying ordinance and codes;
Understanding and communicating technical and legal issues in a clear and concise manner;
Evaluating architectural features through the design process and provide recommendations based on town established standards;
Managing and diffusing difficult situations;
Handling multiple tasks simultaneously under time sensitive constraints;
Applying ordinances, rules and guidelines to planning processes;
Analyzing data, drawing logical conclusions and make sound decisions and recommendations based on findings;
Interpreting, applying and explaining applicable Federal, state and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations;
Using computers and related software applications;
Supervising, performance monitoring, and evaluating staff;
Providing motivation, coaching and mentoring;
Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and other interested parties sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.