Planner I

• Salary/Hourly wages are determined by verifiable experience.

Nature of Work

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Assists senior staff in administrative duties as related to the preparation and presentation of planning data in both a graphic and/or written form for use by County authorities and the public.
• Meets regularly with outside professional development staff and conducts reviews of site plans and processes development order applications.
• Advises the public on land use questions related to the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Regulations.
• Attends and presents in planner staff meetings and attends public hearings before various Commissioners and Boards.
• Assists with the preparation of various comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning, variances, and conditional use permits according to state and local requirements.
• Assists in the conducting of various field studies and surveys related to the County planning program.
• Meets with developers, citizens and other entities related to planning matters.
• Conducts research and prepares studies relating to such items as land use, economic base, transportation systems, utility systems, community facilities, population and housing.
• Prepares preliminary drafts and, on occasion, edits materials related to the planning field.
• The employer may add to or change duties at any time and as determined by the County and its leaders to best ensure that the public is served through the work of the Department.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban and regional planning, government, law, engineering, design, economics, social science, geography or statistics; AND
• One (1) year of professional work experience in urban planning.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of public planning.
• Knowledge of the planning principles and practices as applied to the collection of community planning data and in the preparation of community planning reports and studies, in both graphic and written form.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering and architecture.
• Knowledge of economics, municipal finance and sociology as applied to public planning.
• Knowledge of federal grant programs and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern office procedures, practices and appliances.
• Knowledge of project management and organizational skills.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work and maintain reliable full-time attendance.
• Ability to comprehend, speak, and read the English language.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to have and maintain good interpersonal and communication skills to deal with the public.
• Ability to present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written, oral, or graphic form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department heads, outside agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to supervise and participate in complex planning studies or elements thereof and to analyze information and formulate substantive recommendations based upon such studies.
• Ability to interpret legal descriptions, maps, aerial photography, remote sensing data, and site plans.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and to take a teamwork approach to the job by cooperating with others, offering to help others when needed, and considering larger organization or team goals rather than individual concerns.