Job Posting Closing on: Thursday, December 19, 2024

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of nearly 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.  The Development Services Department seeks to make Fort Worth the most livable city in Texas by promoting orderly growth and development, safe construction and neighborhood vitality.  We are looking for individuals that reflect our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.

The Zoning and Design Review Division of the Development Services Department is seeking a Sr. Planner to join our team. The Zoning and Design Review Division oversees the following functions for the city: assessment and recommendations for zoning, site plans, plats, annexations, street and alley vacations; tree removal; variances, special exceptions, and waivers; historic preservation; urban design; code amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances; Council-initiated zoning and special reports; zoning determinations including legal nonconformity; reasonable accommodations; and collaboration with other city departments on the production of small area and corridor plans.

The Division manages the following boards and commissions comprised of City Council-appointed citizens: City Plan Commission; Zoning Commission; Board of Adjustments; Urban Design Commission; Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission; and Downtown Design Review Board. Additionally, the Division is responsible for leading the Development Review and Annexation Review Committees, which are comprised of city staff.

The Sr. Planner will report to a Planning Manager. This position is responsible for leading projects that involve a high level of critical analysis and may be politically sensitive. The ability to collaborate, organize and obtain information from internal and external stakeholders is paramount. While the position has no formal supervisory duties, the position may be tasked to assist with providing guidance and oversight of subordinate staff in the Planning Manager’s absence.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Planning, Urban Planning or Design, Public Administration, Urban Geography, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience as a planner in one or more of the following areas – zoning, platting, historic preservation, urban design, annexation, tree preservation, landscape design, architecture, and/or site plan review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a planner directly responsible for projects involving zoning, platting, historic preservation, urban design, annexation, tree preservation, landscape design, architecture, and/or site plan review.
• Experience involving the entitlement and development review process; and demonstrated knowledge of the various municipal and other regulatory requirements as they relate to the development review process.
• Experience preparing for and presenting to city Boards and Commissions.
• Accreditations in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Congress for New Urbanism Accredited (CNU-A), AIA (American Institute of Architects) and/or ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects).
• Recent experience utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS); permitting software; SketchUp or similar 3D design software; and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Microsoft Office skills.

The Sr. Planner - Zoning & Design job responsibilities include:

• Analyze and interpret complex planning, zoning, and land use activities for Commissions, Boards, developers and the general public.
• Prepare clear and concise staff reports with professional recommendations toward regulatory compliance, consistency with adopted plans, and compatibility with surrounding properties and land uses.
• Review site plans, building elevation plans, landscape plans, and other site design and land use related items for compliance with city ordinances, the comprehensive plan and area plans.
• Perform strategic planning tasks related to comprehensive and specific area planning including the collection, analysis, and presentation of relevant social, economic, and physical data essential to planning activities.
• Prepare code amendments and associated tasks including research, data collection, and project management.
• Build effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders and staff.
• Make presentations to various audiences including internal staff, boards and commissions, and neighborhoods.
• Attend neighborhood meetings and assist in the advancement of planning knowledge.
• Assist with providing guidance and oversight of subordinate staff in the Planning Manager’s absence.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Perform other related duties as required.