Under general supervision, supervises and performs professional planning duties. The Senior Planner is expected to exhibit leadership and the ability to apply past experience, technical knowledge, and professional judgment while conducting a variety of planning tasks. This position receives general supervision and direction from the Community Development Director. Prioritizes and schedules planning review of development projects. Hires, trains, directs, schedules, supervises, evaluates, and disciplines planning personnel. Assists in preparing and monitoring the annual division budget. Executes auxiliary programs or projects in support of city policies and department goals. Prepares staff reports for Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and Parks Board. Schedules and attends pre-development meetings that involve rezoning, plats, and site plans, and presents and describes planning requirements. Answers questions from consultants, developers, engineers, planners, landscape architects, and the general public. Serves as the point of contact for Building Inspectors and Code Enforcement Personnel regarding questions pertaining to zoning, subdivision, and other city development ordinance requirements. Reviews and approves plats, site plans, and landscape plans. Reviews and revises legal notices for city meetings. Reviews and approves warranty deeds for lot splits. Prepares requests regarding amendments to city ordinances related to city planning. Researches and prepares grant applications related to planning, land use, parks and recreation, transportation, housing, infrastructure, and community development initiatives. Tracks grant opportunities and reporting requirements and supports compliance and administration of awarded grants. Assists the Community Development Director in the performance of his or her duties. Performs other duties as assigned.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or a closely-related field, with an emphasis in current or long-range planning, land use, transportation, or environmental planning is preferred. Four years of progressively responsible related experience; or any combination of higher education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities as further set forth herein to perform the essential functions of the job. Prior experience in grant writing, grant research, and/or administration is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications: Valid State vehicle operator’s license. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification preferred.

Knowledge of: Thorough knowledge of modern planning principles, practices, and laws including land use, development, zoning and subdivision of land. Knowledge of one or more planning specializations, such as affordable housing, transportation, or environmental planning. Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection. Ability to read blueprints, development plans, topographic maps, and planimetric maps. Knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS). Knowledge of courthouse records, including county clerk, assessor, and treasurer records, and land identification methods. Ability to review plans and plats and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions.

Skills in: Site planning and subdivision review. Ability to compile, analyze, and organize technical information for plans and reports. Strong written communication skills, particularly in developing persuasive grant proposals and funding narratives.