Description

POSITION SUMMARY:
The primary purpose of this position is to perform professional review of municipal planning applications, complete special projects and performs tasks related to long-range planning when needed. This position implements and enforces the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, and other applicable City Ordinances, and provides staff support to elected and appointed officials.  This position also demands a professional-level of work and a high level of customer service and diplomacy.  The Planner II is often working in a busy environment with a high volume of customers and must possess integrity, dependability, time management, and organizational skills.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are typical of this position.

• Acts as project manager for the duration of complex, multi-layered development projects including but not limited to site plans, plats, rezoning and specific use permit requests, annexations, and applications related to certificates of appropriateness in the downtown historic district.
• Administers the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, and other applicable City Ordinances from an in-depth knowledge level of the Ordinances.
• Schedules and meets with project applicants for pre-development review to discuss compliance with the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, and other applicable City Ordinances.
• Maintains constant, timely, and professional communications with applicants throughout the entire and review and approval process.
• Coordinates with and works with representatives of applicable City departments to complete thorough project reviews and approvals.
• Identifies overlapping and/or conflicting project review comments and mitigates for those issues.
• Collects and analyzes a variety of statistical data and prepares reports and maps on topics such as census information, land use, tax base data, and occupancy rate.
• This position critically thinks about the project, identifies the challenges, and provides solutions to mitigate issues that arise in the development process.
• Seeks innovative solutions to difficult or unusual development proposals.
• Prepares professionally written staff reports and recommendations for presentation to the Planning & Zoning Commission, Architectural Review Panel, and City Council.
• Prepares land use-related ordinances requiring approval by the City Council.
• Knowledge and proficiency with use of Esri ArcGIS desktop software, including ArcMap and ArcPro.  Ability to use and edit shapefiles and geodatabases.  Familiarity with standard cartographic methods, theories and principles.
• Assists in the preparation of development agreements.
• Assists in ensuring the department’s web site is updated and accurate.
• Responds timely to all emails, calls, and messages.
• Prepares monthly and annual development activity reports.
• Prepares population forecasts.
• Develops and updates planning forms and applications.
• Provides professional, quality customer service at all times.
• Has daily contact with the general public utilizing tact and diplomacy.
• Responds timely to questions/complaints, researches problems and initiates problem resolutions.
• Establishes and maintains an effective working relationship with the general public, co-workers and city officials through excellent customer service and communication skills via phone, email or in person, to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, and address complaints swiftly.
• Conducts on site reviews of development and construction projects.
• Travels to attend meetings, conferences, and training.
• Attends evening meetings as required.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including special assignments, work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.

General Information:
Reports to the Director of Development Services

The Planner II is a full-time FLSA exempt position.

Salary Range is $60,000 – $89,000 annually, dependent upon qualifications and relevant experience.

TMRS Retirement. 7% employee contribution with a 2 to 1 employer match. Vested after five years of service. TMRS provides 1x your annual salary in life insurance benefit. Employees are retirement eligible upon vesting and at least age 60 or with 20 years of service credit at any age as well as restricted prior service credit.

12 paid holidays.

100% of employee health, dental, vision, life, telehealth, short/long term disability benefits paid.

For more information regarding all of the benefits offered by the City of Van Alstyne please review our Summary of Benefits.

Candidates MUST successfully complete an extensive background check (including credit/criminal history), drug screening and pre-employment physical. All candidates MUST SUBMIT CITY APPLICATION and resume to be considered to: City of Van Alstyne, Attn: Human Resources, 152 N Main Drive, P.O. Box 247, Van Alstyne, Texas 75495-0247.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks, in a fast-paced environment, simultaneously and independently in a timely manner.
• Possess extremely strong organizational skills, excellent time-management skills and the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with the public and city staff courteously and tactfully, remaining professional at all times.
• Possess and continue to possess the ability to follow both written and verbal instructions.
• Bear a high level of integrity and dependability.
• In-depth knowledge of Federal, State, Regional, and City Zoning, Subdivision, and Comprehensive Planning regulations, ordinances, and codes.
• Ability to quickly learn and utilize the city’s agenda management system.
• Possess in-depth knowledge of database development, maintenance, and retrieval and geographical information system utilization for layer mapping and has the ability to analyze such data and manipulate such system to produce charts, graphs, maps, etc.
• Ability in mediating, negotiating, and resolving customer complaints and concerns.
• Ability to develop and modify regulations, ordinances, and codes by writing, or assisting in the writing, of regulations, ordinances, and codes.
• Ability to research, analyze, develop, interpret, and implement techniques for cases and assignments.
• Ability to complete assignments with limited direction and supervision.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service skills (i.e. timely responses, knowledge and application of City processes and procedures, assisting others on tasks, etc.) both internally and externally.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed.
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
• Possess proficient knowledge and experience in Microsoft Operating systems and Photoshop-related programs.
• Possess problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less, well-defined practical problems and have the ability to have a firm grasp on varying situations and be able to provide well thought out solutions.
• Possess good time management and an awareness for the amount of time it takes to complete a task.
• Ability to effectively listen to and follow directions, both verbal and written, and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to understand and apply modern office methods; filing and researching skills, excellent grammar and spelling skills, proficient writing and composition skills and excellent public relations skills.
• Have the ability to organize and keep records as well as perform repetitive tasks.
• Ability to multi-task and work well in a busy and demanding environment.
• Ability to work harmoniously and cooperatively with other employees and the public.
• Ability to deal effectively, professionally, and ethically with the public and government officials.
• Skill in interpreting City and state codes, ordinances, and laws.
• Must be able to handle confidential matters with discretion.

 Education, Experience, Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, or related field
• Three (3) years of urban planning, public administration and/or related experience.
• Must possess and continue to possess a valid Texas Class C Driver’s License and must have and maintain a good driving record.