Finney County is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Planner or Planning Technician to join our team. As a regional commercial and industrial hub for Western Kansas, Finney County is a diverse, fast-growing community with a goal of adding 4,000 new residential units by 2030. Finney County is an ideal location for wind and solar energy generation opportunities, with several regional projects underway. We are currently in the process of a comprehensive update of our zoning and subdivision regulations and re-envisioning the development process to help support the community's growth and vision.

Finney County is designated as a Kansas Rural Opportunity Zone and offers student loan reimbursement assistance, providing up to $15,000 in loan assistance over a five-year period. Click here to learn more about the program: Kansas Rural Opportunity Zone.

About this Role:

The Planner and Planning Technician are professional positions that perform various professional and technical level planning work on challenging, complex, and/or sensitive planning projects in support of the County's long-range plans and administration of the County's zoning and subdivision regulations.

Examples of Work:

• Reviews or assists in the review of moderately complex development proposals and site plans for conformance with codes, plans, and regulations.
• Establishes and revises current regulations, including zoning, subdivision, nuisance abatement, environmental code, general improvement specifications, access management, etc.
• Assists with the coordination of development incentive districts, including Reinvestment Housing Incentive Districts (RHID)
• Performs research and analysis of permits and applications for compliance and conformity with applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations.
• Performs research analysis and prepares and develops reports, maps, special studies, and related documents as needed for the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, staff, citizen groups, etc.
• Responsible for investigating potential environmental, zoning, subdivision law, ordinance, code, and regulation violations.
• Makes public presentations as needed to the Board of County Commissioners, Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission, staff, citizen groups, students, and others.

Minimum Education & Experience

• Planner:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in planning, public administration, business administration, engineering, or related fields.
  • One to three years of experience in planning, building services, engineering, community development, or related fields.
• Planning Technician:
  • Associate's degree in planning, geography, public administration, business administration, construction management, or related fields.
  • One to three years of relative experience in planning, community development, public administration, construction management, or related fields.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Planner:
  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university in planning, public administration, business administration, or related field
  • Three or more years of experience in planning, building Services, engineering, or community development.
• Planning Technician:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in planning, geography, public administration, business administration, construction management, or related field.
  • One to three years of relative experience in planning, community development, public administration, construction management, or related field.

To view the full job announcement and apply online, please visit Finney County Jobs.