Senior Planner

Provides senior level professional municipal planning and zoning services and specialized planning services for the community, including development professionals, Arvada residents, and the general public, in order to guide growth and revitalization.

The City of Arvada promotes Equal Pay for Equal Work. Starting salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity. The range listed reflects the entire range and typical placement is entry to mid range.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides zoning, development, and planning information, including land use application requirements and processes, ordinances, codes, plans, and related planning programs to architects, developers, contractors, owners, appraisers, realtors, community groups, and the general public.

• Reviews applications for building permits and inspects construction for compliance with city regulations, codes, and approved development plans. Coordinates development review between city divisions including engineering, stormwater, building, traffic, parks, city attorney, and code enforcement.

• Acts as project manager in the review of development proposals; reviews and analyzes development and related land use, building permit, and variance applications; solicits and coordinates information between various city divisions and departments including engineering, stormwater, building, traffic, parks, city attorney, and code enforcement, as well as various external agencies; provides technical expertise and performs inspections for compliance with applicable city regulations, codes, and approved development plans; and assists in enforcement of violations.

• Maintains and updates statistical data base for all development projects.

• Attends neighborhood meetings and facilitates discussions and negotiations between developers and various stakeholders.

• Prepares staff reports and makes recommendations to planning commission, city council, design review committee, and board of adjustment regarding the conformance of development proposals with city policies and regulations.

• Formulates development approval conditions into an agreement between developers and the city.

• Attends, presents, and/or facilitates public meetings on behalf of the city including neighborhood meetings, planning commission, city council, design review committee, and board of adjustment.

• Researches issues related to planning and development applications. Interprets city policies and regulations. Writes proposed codes and ordinances.

• Calculates, assesses, and processes financial payments required in conjunction with the development review and approval.

• Creates and updates various databases and spreadsheets and prepares reports to track project status and requirements.

• Provides resource information for historic preservation designation, renovation, and tax credit programs.

• Performs basic computer skills related to planning practices including spreadsheets, word processing, graphics, and databases.

• Plans and manages special projects, including: writing requests for qualifications and proposals, managing consultants, reviewing consultant's' expenses and work. Coordinates with state and federal agencies, including filing reports, managing grants, public outreach, and developing partnerships with private property owners when required.

• Plans and manages neighborhood community planning process. Assists and facilitates neighborhood groups in addressing development issues for city initiated projects.

• Attends and facilitates public meetings on behalf of the city including neighborhood meetings, advisory groups, planning commission, city council, design review committee, and board of adjustment.

• Reviews proposed changes and amendments to the city's comprehensive plan.

• Researches and writes proposed plans, codes, and ordinances.

• Serves as member of the essential homes repairs committee to review loan and grant applications.

• Performs basic computer skills related to planning practices including spreadsheets, word processing, graphics, and databases.

• Represents the city on various regional committees or task forces.

• Prepares demographic estimates and forecasts.

• Travels to and attends team and organizational meetings, training, events and activities and appropriately and professionally represents the department.

• Demonstrates a respectful attitude towards customers and coworkers that promotes teamwork, open communication, and effective customer service.

• Acts with the customer in mind, responds to requests promptly and provides effective services or solutions for customers.

• Exercises appropriate level of initiative and judgment to make decisions within the scope of assigned authority.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances governing planning, zoning, and subdivision activities.

• Strong knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of comprehensive municipal planning, urban design, site planning, landscape architecture, lighting design, telecommunications facilities, zoning, subdivisions, public participation, and consensus building.

• Ability to effectively communicate information, both verbally and in writing, to support organizational objectives and interact with all levels of personnel within the city in a positive and cooperative manner.

• Solid computer skills related to planning practices including spreadsheets, word processing, graphics, and databases.

• Strong customer service skills.

• Strong negotiation and facilitation skills.

• Strong organization and project management skills.

• Ability to interpret and apply the principles of planning to a variety of land development proposals.

• Ability to write technical reports and provides technical advice and recommendations regarding planning activities.

• Ability to operate a motor-vehicle to travel to and from off-site locations to support/attend business meetings, training and related events..

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Other duties as required.

-Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job-

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY:

Receives general supervision under the direction of the manager of city planning and development on work programs, priorities, and requests for specific project needs. Works independently or as a team member to meet defined work plans and objectives and recommendations Establishes procedures for timely processing of development projects Exercises considerable independence of judgment in meeting assigned objectives and implementing department operations, services, and programs, in disseminating information and representing the city at various meetings. Expected to handle different and specialized situations in functional area. May assume responsibility of division activities during absence of the planning manager.

Financial Accountability:

Responsible for making recommendations for budget allocations to the planning manager. Calculates, assesses, and collects fees and financial obligations. Tracks and authorizes refunds of funds placed in escrow accounts. Reviews invoices ranging from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars from consultants and submits to finance for payment.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

The work environment/physical activities described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

Work is primarily performed in an office environment with moderate noise levels. Physical effort and activities include: occasionally operating a personal or City-owned motor vehicle to drive to and from meetings and business locations; ability constantly talk or hear, and frequent use hands/fingers to handle feel or manipulate objects, reaching with hands and arms, and sitting; occasional standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and /or crawling; visual acuity to focus on details at a close distance, operate a motor vehicle and make general observations and inspections; frequent handling of object weighing up to 10 pounds and up to 25 pounds occasionally.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, LICENSE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE):

Bachelor's degree in city planning, land use planning, urban planning or related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible related experience, or Master's degree in city planning, land use planning, urban planning or related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Comprehensive knowledge of practices and principles of urban planning. A valid Colorado driver's license and acceptable driving record is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification preferred.

The City is an Equal Employment Opportunity

The City's Core values are in every employee's individual Performance Plan which helps us to reinforce our expectations for living and working by our Core Values.

Every City employee is expected to perform his/her job to the highest professional standards. This includes upholding the City's values with integrity and accountability, acting in a manner that is respectful and inclusive towards others, and adhering to the City's policy on employee conduct as detailed in the personnel rules sec. 70-143.

Vision: We Dream Big and Deliver

Mission: We are dedicated to delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community.

Values:

Innovation: We excel in creativity, flexibility and the use of best practices while valuing diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives.

Passion: We are a high performing, inclusive team inspiring each other to pursue excellence.

Opportunity: We value our diversity, embrace possibilities, face challenges, persevere and take action to deliver quality results.