Under the direction of the Community Development Director, the Associate Planner performs professional, technical, and administrative planning work requiring analytical and communication skills in planning processes. This role supports the City's planning and development efforts by assisting with land use, zoning, and development projects; collaborating with stakeholders; analyzing data; preparing reports; and ensuring compliance with regulations, while identifying opportunities for sustainability, innovation, and best/leading practices in the City's plans, codes, and policies.

Major Duties:

• Provides customer service and technical support regarding zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, comprehensive plan, current planning applications and development projects in-person, phone, and email.
• Review development plans for conformity with City ordinances and policies.
• Prepare written staff reports for planning cases, including site plan review, conditional use permits, variances, and preliminary plats.
• Review final plats for conformity with subdivision regulations.
• Review routine building permit applications for consistency with the zoning code and subsequent site inspections for compliance.
• Assists in researching, analyzing, and preparing proposed updates to the City's comprehensive plan, zoning code, subdivision code, ordinances, processes, and policies, while identifying opportunities to incorporate best practices, sustainability, and innovative approaches into the City's planning efforts.
• Provides staff support to and attend appropriate meetings of the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, City Council, and other committees or commissions as directed; may make presentations before such bodies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned and/or required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Environmental Studies, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.
• One to three (1 - 3) years of professional experience in urban or regional planning, zoning, or a related field or comparable education or certification.
• Prior working knowledge and experience in city ordinances, land use regulations, safety regulations and enforcement desirable, including public contact in a municipal setting.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, a valid South Dakota driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Must be a United States citizen. This position does not support sponsorship.

First Review of Applications: February 28, 2025