Planner or Senior Planner, Community Development Department

Village of Frankfort, IL

The Village of Frankfort is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Planner or Senior Planner in the Community Development Department. Only one (1) position is available. Frankfort, IL (20,286) is a thriving, vibrant community located 32 miles southwest of Chicago, just a few miles south of I-80 and west of I-57. Founded in 1855, Frankfort consists of a well maintained historic residential and commercial center surrounded by modern shopping centers, upscale subdivisions, and a sizeable industrial area. Chicago Magazine named Frankfort one of the top places to live just a few years ago. Frankfort also received recognition as "Top Ten Best Cities for Illinois Families," "One of the Safest Cities in Illinois," "Most Pet Friendly Chicago Suburb."

This is a professional planning position responsible for complex planning work in the areas of current planning and development, redevelopment, zoning administration, historic preservation, and long-range planning. The incumbent is responsible for processing development and zoning applications, reviewing technical documents, plans and applications, performing research, analysis, and site inspections, providing responsive, courteous, and efficient service to residents and the general public, as well as supporting a wide range of other planning and administrative assignments within the organization. The position works with considerable independence and is expected to exercise exceedingly high levels of good judgment, tact, and diplomacy.

The position reports to and serves under the general direction of the Director of Community and Economic Development. Attendance at regular and special evening or weekend meetings is required. Typically, this means a minimum of three weekday evenings each month but may vary as necessary. The successful candidate should be able to act in the capacity of primary staff liaison to the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals and Historic Preservation Commission (the latter as needed).

Ideal Candidate:

Successful candidates for consideration will be a proven self-starter with the ability to demonstrate a skillset in planning principles and practices, particularly in current commercial, industrial, and residential planning (rezoning, subdivision, special use and variance review with preference to experience in historic preservation). Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals and groups; work within time constraints, ability to prioritize workload; keep deadlines; conduct research; review and analyze development plans and to make recommendations based upon said analysis; prepare plans, reports, and studies; make verbal presentations and to persuade individuals and groups to follow certain courses of action; perform duties with initiative and a minimum amount of supervision; ability to make accurate design drawings and mathematical computations; ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; maintain professionalism and objectivity; and be tactful and courteous in stressful situations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban/Regional Planning, public administration, or related field. Master's Degree in Urban/Regional Planning, public administration, or related field preferred.
• For the Planner position: A minimum of zero (0) to two (2) years of planning experience with a government agency or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• For the Senior Planner position: A minimum of five (5) years of planning experience with a government agency or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with ability to lead public presentations.
• Ability to use ArcMap 10.8 or later and/or the ArcGIS online platform for map making, data inquiry, and analysis.
• Demonstrate proficiency in computer skills and Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to visit, examine and post signs on property, which may require traversing rough and uneven ground, through brush, grass, mud, or snow.
• Ability to manually operate various types of standard office equipment and audio/visual equipment for presentations at meetings.
• Pass background check.
• Valid driver's license.

Preference may be given to candidates with:

• AICP certification - American Institute of Certified Planners
• Proficiency in Adobe software products (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Familiarity with utilizing and maintaining public-facing ArcGIS Desktop and Online applications.
• Prior government experience, particularly in responsible planning positions.
• Specialized knowledge in related fields such as civil engineering, landscape architecture, historic preservation, building code administration or construction management.

Salary & Benefits:

For the Planner position the salary range is $70,000 to $85,000, DOQ. For the Senior Planner position the salary range is $85,000 to $105,000, DOQ. This full-time position is eligible for the Village of Frankfort's comprehensive employee benefits program which includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Retirement benefits through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) are provided along with the option to participate in a 457(b) plan offered through ICMA-RC and/or IPPFA. The Village of Frankfort provides paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays.

Position open until filled. Please clearly state the position for which you are applying. Resumes will be reviewed as received. The selected finalist will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check, reference check, and post offer drug screening. Candidates requiring reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Village Administrator at 815-469-2177.

Apply with resume, cover letter and three professional references to:

Village of Frankfort
Attn: Michael J. Schwarz, AICP
Director of Community and Economic Development
432 W. Nebraska Street
Frankfort, Illinois 60423
mschwarz@frankfortil.org

Also submit an Application for Employment found online here: https://www.frankfortil.org/government/employment.php

The Village of Frankfort is an equal opportunity employer. http://www.villageoffrankfort.com