SERVE

At the City of Plano, our values make us who we are and guide us as we SERVE our city.  As members of Team Plano, our organizational Values (what is most important to us) make up the acronym, SERVE (Stewardship Engaged Respectful Visionary Excellence). 

Job Details

Why is the Planning Department a great place to work? The comprehensive array of employer-provided benefits and perks—including professional development opportunities via skill-based training and conference participation, paid professional certifications, and telecommuting allowances of up to two days per week—are only part of the story.  The foundation of our great workplace lies in our culture of teamwork, community engagement, and dedication to serving the City of Plano through excellence in city planning (we are, after all, a national award-winning planning team). Our team members are committed to providing outstanding planning, development, heritage preservation, and land records services through cooperative efforts that engage our citizens and contribute to both the long-term and immediate quality of life in our community.  We have fostered a very intentional, people-centric culture where each one of us is invested and engaged in the team, the organization, and the city.  We are the embodiment of Team Plano and stand by our SERVE values. 

As a valued Team Plano member, you will receive numerous benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Membership in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), in which the City matches contributions 2:1 upon retirement
• Up to three weeks of paid vacation
• Up to three weeks of paid sick leave per year
• Nine paid holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• Free Library Card
• Free recreation center membership 

And so much more! 

Every person matters. Every job has purpose. Together we make a difference. Join Team Plano!

Summary of Duties: Under general supervision, the Associate Planner is responsible for: researching information and preparing public meeting documents; assisting and educating citizens, businesses, and non-profits regarding zoning, development, and neighborhood programs; providing technical support for the assigned Department.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the journey-level classification in the Associate Planner series that follows diversified procedures and implements processes to accomplish end results, within guidelines. Immediate supervision is available upon request and the level of discretion is minimal. 

Examples of ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provides information to citizens, developers, engineers, businesses, non-profit organizations, and other city departments regarding application processes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Conducts completeness checks and prepares reviews for development applications.
• Reviews staff level plats and plan for conformance with city ordinances and policies.
• Prepares zoning verification information and creates documents of zoning upon request.
• Researches land use, parking, and other requirements necessary to review certificates of occupancy for approval.
• Performs site inspections to ensure compliance with adopted plats and plans prior to issuance of certificates of occupancy. 
• Designs, drafts, and organizes maps and information for meeting packets, projects, reports, and publications.
• Collects and maintains information for departmental databases.
• Assists department with ordinance amendments.
• Supports board and commission meetings, as needed.
• May review web site content for accuracy and recommend changes.
• Prepares information for public hearing notices using the Geographic Information System and other software.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential. 

Marginal Duties:

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Typical Decisions: The incumbent reviews existing city codes and ordinances and communicates applicable sections to various members of the public and/or business community. Incumbent applies applicable city ordinances during reviews of submitted applications. The incumbent assists the public in researching and resolving neighborhood-related concerns.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of urban planning; federal and state laws and regulations relating to planning and urban development; basic land use and urban design principles; legal terminology used to describe property boundaries; website management; social media outlets; basic accounting principles and practices. 

Skill in: Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing; operating personal computers and peripheral equipment; navigating and utilizing GIS operating systems; managing and updating a database; utilizing social media outlets as an outreach tool. 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Community Development, Historic Preservation or related field. 

Experience: No experience required. One (1) year of experience in urban planning or community development, including experience with GIS or related software, is preferred.

Any work-related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above minimum qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.

Licenses and Certifications: Texas Class C driver’s license (must obtain within 30 days of hire per state law. 

Conditions of Employment:  Must pass a drug test, driver license check, criminal history background check, periodic CJIS background check (for positions requiring access into Police buildings) and social security number verification check. 

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to work in the field including traversing uneven terrain, to operate a motor vehicle, and tools and equipment to set up trailers; vision to assess assigned homes, to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking conducting assessments. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information and set up for events and meetings. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

See the full job description at www.Plano.gov/HR or the Resource URL linked below.