Planner (The job description for the Senior Planner is listed below.)

Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the journey-level classification in the Planner series that follows diversified procedures and implements processes to accomplish end results, within guidelines. Immediate supervision is available upon request. This class is distinguished from Planner, Senior in that the latter is a higher-level class in the series that performs more complex technical, investigative, and supervisory duties requiring a higher level of knowledge and skill.

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 general customer services; responds to concerns and inquiries.
• Performs technical analysis using adopted ordinances and policies.
• Drafts various reports; maintains department and project files and documents. 
• Assists other team members within the division and department as needed. 
• Attends department, public, boards and commissions, and City Council meetings. 
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential. 
• Manages, prepares, revises, and implements the city’s Comprehensive Plan. Coordinates with other departments and divisions to monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Provides policy recommendations to Planning Department staff and other departments to ensure future projects align with the Comprehensive Plan. 
• Provides analysis and prepares reports on the alignment of the city’s annual Community Investment Program with the Comprehensive Plan.
• Oversees special team projects both within and between departments; manages and participates in the preparation of special reports and studies; provides opportunities for public involvement. 
• Prepares staff reports; delivers presentations on matters pending before the public, Boards, Commissions, and City Council. 
• Provides for meeting notification, agenda packet preparation and distribution, and coordination with other departments and divisions.
• May participate in the routine maintenance and updates of the city’s land use, housing, and development data.

Typical Decisions: The incumbent prepares the final draft of reports, studies, plans, and other team assignments. The incumbent makes recommendations to the department or division head on team assignments.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Knowledge of: Principles and practices planning, historic preservation, or neighborhood engagement; federal and state law; municipal government organization and functions; and legal terminology related to development documents.

Skill in: Communicating clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing, in both formal and informal settings; preparing a wide range of written materials that communicate effectively to various audiences; operating a computer, standard software, and some specialized software; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships. Prefer skill in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; Microsoft Power BI; Airtable; and ArcGIS.

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

Experience: Two (2) years of experience in urban planning, neighborhood engagement, or heritage preservation or a related field.

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: Membership in AICP desired. Texas Class C driver’s license (must obtain within 30 days of hire per state law).

Senior Planner

Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the advanced-level classification in the Planner series. The incumbent plans detailed methods to attain desired objectives working within established policy. Methods require use of initiatives and resourcefulness in developing and improving processes and procedures. Works under indirect supervision, conferring with supervisor on unusual matters. This class is distinguished from Planner in that it is a higher-level class in the series that performs more complex technical, investigative, and supervisory duties requiring a higher level of knowledge and skill.

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 general customer services; responds to concerns and inquiries. 
• Drafts various reports; maintains department and project files and documents. 
• Assists other team members within the division and department as needed. 
• Attends department, public, boards and commissions, and City Council meetings. 
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential. 
• Manages, prepares, revises, and implements the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Coordinates with other departments and divisions to monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Provides policy recommendations to Planning Department staff and other departments to ensure future projects align with the Comprehensive Plan. Oversees annual Community Investment Program (CIP) project alignment. 
• Oversees special team projects both within and between departments; manages and participates in the preparation of special reports and studies; provides opportunities for public involvement. 
• Prepares staff reports; delivers presentations on matters pending before the public, Boards, Commissions, and City Council. 
• Performs a variety of Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis.
• Manages redevelopment and revitalization programs and policies for downtown and special project areas.
• May staff existing or specialized boards and commissions and provide for meeting notification, agenda packet preparation and distribution, and coordination with other departments and divisions.

Typical Decisions: The incumbent prepares the final draft of reports, studies, plans, and other team assignments. The incumbent makes recommendations to the department or division head on team assignments. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of planning, historic preservation, or neighborhood engagement; Federal and State law; municipal government organization and functions; and legal terminology related to development documents.

Skill in: Communicating clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing, in both formal and informal settings; preparing a wide range of written materials that communicate effectively to various audiences; operating a computer, standard software, and some specialized software; reading and interpreting maps, plats, and demographic data; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships. 

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

Experience: Three (3) years of experience in urban planning, neighborhood engagement, or heritage preservation or a related field.

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.