Planner II

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

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.

• Performs Planner of the Day duties which include answering zoning inquiries.

• Conducts research and analysis for a variety of planning activities.

• Maintains and updates statistical database for all development projects.

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

• Acts as project manager in the review of rezonings, preliminary and final development plans, minor subdivisions, conditional use permits, special event permits, variances, administrative site plans and other proposals.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Writes technical reports and provides technical advice and recommendations regarding planning activities.

• Assists Senior Planners with special projects, including: writing requests for qualifications and proposals, managing consultants, and reviewing consultant's' work.

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

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

• Assists with reviews of proposed changes and amendments to the city's comprehensive plan.

• Assists with research regarding proposed plans, codes, and ordinances.

• May represent the city on various regional committees or task forces.

• Assists in the preparation of 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

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

• Solid knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of comprehensive municipal planning, urban design, site planning, landscape architecture, lighting, design, telecommunication 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.

• Strong customer service skills.

• Solid negotiation and facilitation skills.

• Strong organization skills and project management.

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

• 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. Plans own work activities and prioritized tasks. Works independently or as a team member to meet defined work plans and objectives and recommendations Detailed procedures cover the majority of the work. Expected to make decisions based on organizational policy and/or precedent and occasionally handle different and specialized situations in functional area.

Financial Accountability:

None

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None

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 urban planning, architecture, public policy or related field of study and three (3) years of related experience. A valid Colorado driver's license and acceptable driving record is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree preferred. AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) 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.