Senior Planner - City

PAY 

$35.46 - $54.26 Hourly

The normal starting pay for this position is the minimum of the pay range listed above. A higher rate of pay may be considered, dependent on the qualifications and experience of the selected applicant and/or the City’s step placement policy.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS/WORK HISTORY

• When completing the application, applicants will be asked to respond to application questions.  These application questions are based on the Job Requirements for the position.  
• Completion of the application questions is required. 
• Applicant responses to the application questions must specifically answer the questions asked. 
• Responses to application questions must be supported by work history/information listed on the application/resume, sufficient to demonstrate qualifications for the position.  
• Applications may not be reviewed if specific responses to application questions have not been provided.
• Each application submission is reviewed independently.  

BENEFITS

• The City offers competitive pay and robust benefits:  Benefits Overview

DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION

This position will provide critical assistance for the City’s development code update project, which requires expertise in urban design, planning, and land use regulation. This position provides consultation to developers, applicants, and residents, works with other divisions and departments, and ensures that development-related regulations are kept current and relevant.  This position is responsible for the review of development applications; administration of the zoning code and subdivision regulations; research and analysis, and summarization; and the presentation of facts in both verbal and written form.  

JOB SUMMARY

This job is located in the Current Planning and Urban Design Division of the Planning Department within the City of Oklahoma City and is under the direction of an immediate supervisor. Senior Planner is a professional classification requiring well developed skills in research; verbal and written communication; project design; and knowledge of and skill in applying procedures, objectives, and variables related to city planning.  Essential job functions include: performing numerous administrative and technical functions in support of the assigned job functions including project design; data acquisition by field survey and research; data compilation, analysis, and summarization; and the presentation of facts in both verbal and written form.  This position may attend meetings and/or represent the City and department as a participant on or advisor to various boards, commissions, official policymaking bodies, and citizens’ groups and may provide functional supervision to less experienced employees.  The Senior Planner may also make policy recommendations based both on the analysis of current trends and hypotheses of future circumstances.  Senior Planners specialize in one or more areas of expertise, which include long-range planning, transportation, urban redevelopment/revitalization, urban design, environmental planning, historic preservation, current planning and community or economic development. Senior Planners in all disciplines are responsible for writing or presenting formal and technical reports, working papers, project budgets, contracts, and other correspondence.  Reports, conclusions, and recommendations may become or be used to establish official City policies or ordinances. 

VETERANS PREFERENCE

Honorably discharged veterans of the United States Active Duty Armed Forces, National Guard, and Reserve Forces who are not currently employed full-time by the City of Oklahoma City and who meet the qualifications for the position shall be given preference. To receive preference, veterans must submit verification of honorable discharge from the United States military service (Department of Defense Form DD214 or NGB Form 22) prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

• Knowledge of principles of city planning.
• Knowledge of and skill in determining appropriate research designs, including methodologies, indicators, and data presentation.
• Knowledge of and skill in identifying and assessing social, economic, demographic, and related trends that affect planning processes.
• Skill in organizing research data.
• Skill in assessing the overall impact of proposed site plans on land use and area development.
• Skill in the accurate interpretation and analysis of research data.
• Skill in compiling and writing technical reports.
• Skill in examining and analyzing a wide array of public variables and concerns.
• Skill in relating to people from various professional fields and diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
• Skill in verbal communication of acquired data, analyses, and recommendations.
• Skill in the critical review of substantive work products.
• Skill in devising solutions to community needs.
• Skill in determining and examining policy alternatives.
• Skill in establishing realistic priorities to make effective use of resources.
• Ability to conduct wide-scope studies within limited time frames.
• Ability to supervise assigned work activities.
• Ability to travel.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Regional and City Planning, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or related field AND five (5) or more years of professional work experience; OR Bachelor’s degree in one of the above disciplines or related field AND six (6) or more years of professional work experience; OR in lieu of a college degree, eleven (11) or more years of relevant combined professional experience.
• Experience researching, writing, and applying zoning codes, ordinances, and/or design guidelines.
• Experience processing rezoning and subdivision applications, including conducting technical reviews of the applications, reviewing development proposals for conformance with policies and regulations, and providing recommendations to public officials.
• Experience giving public presentations to citizens, other professionals, boards, and elected officials.
• Experience using ArcGIS, permitting and agenda management software, and Microsoft Office Suite.

COMPETENCIES

• Execution and Results: (1) Sets well-defined and realistic goals and high standards of performance for self or self and others; (2) displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment toward performing work; (3) completes assignments in a thorough, accurate, and timely manner, and delivers results; (4) works with minimal supervision, is motivated to achieve, and demonstrates responsible behavior; (5) demonstrates understanding of all aspects of the job and application of accrued knowledge in carrying out duties and responsibilities; technical knowledge; skill in the techniques, equipment, procedures, and work required; (6) recognizes opportunities and takes action for improvement to programs, policies, procedures, practices, and processes; (7) understands and is able to apply the principles, methods, and tools of quality improvement; (8) collects, examines, analyzes, and interprets data from a variety of sources; (9) makes data-driven recommendations/decisions and achieves results; (10) effectively achieves results through others to achieve the Department or City's mission.
• Judgment: (1) Plans, coordinates, and executes business functions efficiently, effectively, and in a fiscally responsible manner; (2) identifies risks and develops and implements measures to avoid, mitigate, or minimize those risks; (3) makes effective, timely, well-informed, objective, and transparent work-related decisions; (4) exhibits emotional maturity and stability, effectively manages conflict, and remains optimistic and calm during stressful situations; (5) uses resources effectively to achieve results aligned with organizational priorities; (6) applies understanding of financial management/budgeting principles to ensure decisions are fiscally sound and responsible and in accordance with policies, procedures, processes, rules, regulations, and laws; (7) makes business decisions that drive positive, fiscally responsible performance; (8) manages ambiguity, business insight, financial acumen, makes decisions using data and insight that achieves the best outcome for the department and City.
• Teamwork/Team Oriented: (1) Recognizes, values, and leverages the ideas, opinions, and perspectives of others; (2) participates willingly and effectively as a team lead or team member; (3) builds consensus; fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust; (4) collaborates with others to accomplish goals and objectives and achieve results; (5) expresses facts, ideas, messages, and information (technical and non-technical) to individuals or groups clearly, concisely, accurately, understandably, with honesty, tact, and diplomacy and in a manner that is appropriate for the intended audience; (6) actively listens, clarifies information as needed.
• Customer Centric: (1) Demonstrates commitment to public service; (2) serves and satisfies internal and external customers in a timely and effective manner; (3) establishes, commits to, and maintains high standards for producing quality work products and being responsive to customers; (4) supports the Department/City's mission; develops and executes strategies with the customer in mind.
• Strategic Thinking: (1) Thinks conceptually, imaginatively, and systematically; (2) envisions the future; (3) defines the vision, direction, and goals; (4) develops a road map for achievement; (5) anticipates change and plans for it; (6) considers long-term value and consequences; (7) influences others to achieve results; (8) understands where the organization is headed; knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work; (9) aligns business strategies to long-term success of the City; (10) sets the vision, direction and compelling course of action; (11) operates effectively within the systems, programs, policies, procedures, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations of the organization; (12) knows industry and stays ahead of best practices; (13) understands the political environment, management priorities, staff roles and responsibilities, and grasps external factors impacting the organization; (14) identifies when issues need to be escalated to higher authorities and effectively alerts appropriate officials.
• Leads Through Influence: (1) Persuades others; builds consensus through give and take; (2) gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals; (3) works with others towards achieving agreements that may involve exchanging resources or resolving differences; (4) understands the concepts, practices, and techniques used to identify, engage, influence, and monitor relationships with individuals and groups connected to a work effort including those actively involved; (5) leads through influence over the process and its results, and those who have a vested interest in the outcome (positive or negative).
• Empathic Leadership:  (1) Fosters a workplace where employees are engaged; (2) seeks to know and learn about, and respects the values, attitudes, and beliefs of others; (3) welcomes varied ideas, perspectives, and thoughts when carrying out the work of the organization and making decisions; (4) builds trust through transparency, open communication, feedback, consistency, and humility; (5) seeks to build high performing teams through practices that demonstrate a commitment to hiring the most qualified candidates; promotes advancement opportunities for all (e.g., coaching, mentoring, providing personal and professional development opportunities); (6) resolves conflict and maintains effective working relationships with others through open dialogue, collaboration, empathy, active listening, understanding, tact, diplomacy, and professionalism; (7) treats others with fairness and dignity; (8) demonstrates emotional maturity; and (9) recognizes contributions and celebrates accomplishments.  Note:  This competency is not applicable for employees who are not supervisors.  
• Commitment to Continuous Improvement: (1) Recognizes opportunities for improvement with regard to programs, policies, procedures, practices, and processes; (2) understands and is able to apply the principles, methods, and tools of quality improvement; (3) collects, examines, analyzes, and interprets data from a variety of sources; (4) makes data-driven recommendations/decisions and achieves results.
• Agility: (1) Values collaboration, communication, and feedback and is flexible and open to new ideas; (2) learns rapidly and transforms learning into action; (3) examines processes and practices to perform work most effectively; (4) demonstrates courage and willingness to take calculated risks; (5) assesses readiness; proposes new approaches, methods, and technologies plans, implements, and evaluates change in a transparent, positive, and thoughtful manner; (6) exhibits emotional maturity and stability, effectively manages conflict, and remains optimistic and calm during stressful situations; (7) rapidly adapts to change and leads others through change, while producing tangible results and identifying new opportunities.
• Talent Development: (1) Provides tools, materials, equipment, and resources; (2) provides performance feedback, coaching, mentoring, encouragement, and support; (3) discusses personal and professional goals; (4) provides formal and informal learning and development opportunities that support achievement of personal and professional goals; (5) attracts and develops talent; (6) manages performance throughout the department or City; (7) sets the leadership tone for area of responsibility.  Note: This competency is not applicable for employees who are not supervisors.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Primarily in-doors in a climate-controlled environment.
• Outside occasionally; may be exposed to heat, cold, humidity, rain, etc.
• Occasionally required to work beyond normal working hours.
• Subject to frequent, local travel.
• Subject to occasional, out-of-town travel to attend meetings, seminars, etc. 

Note:  Typical City employee working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, working hours vary (may require work to begin before 8:00 a.m. and/or end beyond 5:00 p.m., and/or may require work on weekends and holidays), and are subject to change, based on the duties and location of the position and the business needs of the assigned work unit/department.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Hearing and speech enough to communicate effectively by telephone or in-person.
• Near vision enough to read and draft written communications.
• Mobility enough to continuously move one’s self from place to place when conducting field surveys.
• Far vision enough to accurately determine the condition of various transportation systems, traffic congestion, etc.

OTHER DETAILS

Attachments:  Applicants may upload only two attachments.  Applicants may choose to combine documents into one file for upload. 

Pay Method:  City employees are required to receive pay electronically, either via direct deposit or pay card.

Former Employees:  If this position is open to external applicants and you are a former employee, you must be eligible for rehire to participate in any selection process.  If you are unsure of your rehire status, please contact the Human Resources Department at (405) 297-2530.  If your rehire status has been coded “Not Eligible,” “Eligible 3,” or “Conditional,” you will need to request a review of your rehire status through the Human Resources Department’s Employee and Labor Relations Division.

Background Investigation, Drug Testing, Physical Examination:  Upon a conditional offer of employment/acceptance of position, the City of Oklahoma City will conduct a criminal history background check for external applicants. Applicants will be provided contact information for any third-party reporting agencies used to collect background information in connection with conditional offers of employment.   

If the position accepted includes a driver license (commercial or non-commercial) Job Requirement, the City of Oklahoma City will obtain a Motor Vehicle Report for internal and external applicants. 

If the position accepted is safety sensitive and/or a driving position, internal and external applicants will be provided a copy of the City of Oklahoma City's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy prior to being directed for a drug test. A copy is also available at the link below:  

HRB 25-01 Drug and  Alcohol Testing Procedure.FINAL 030325_AM.pdf

If the position accepted is cyber security sensitive, internal and external applicants will be subject to a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Interstate Identification Index (III) Fingerprint Background check.  Additionally, employees in this job classification must complete Level 4 Security Awareness Training and pass an online certification test.

If the position accepted includes a lift/push/pull/carry Physical Requirement of 25 pounds and greater, internal and external applicants will be directed for a physical examination. 

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

If you require reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process, please notify one of the Human Resources Department Representatives by calling 405-297-2530. The City of Oklahoma City will not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex (to include sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression), age, genetic information, disability or political affiliation.