SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Community Development Director, the position is a journeyman level planner that is responsible for providing professional planning services within the Planning Division of the Community Development Department. The Planner 2 Current Planner performs a variety of complex current and long-range planning functions including development plan review, administration of the City’s Zoning and Subdivision regulations and implementation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and provides expert opinions regarding current planning best practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following (additional duties may be assigned as needed):

1. Manage land use applications including, but not limited to, rezoning, site improvement plan, subdivision procedures (preliminary plat, final plat, etc.), special use review, lot split, etc.
2. Conduct research, analysis, and interpretation of technical reports, plans and documents for complex land development projects.
3. Prepare and present staff reports to the appropriate hearing entity (Board of Directors, Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, etc.).
4. Organize and oversee the TAC review process and meetings for current planning.
5. Provide support to Planner 1 in the review of permit applications for compliance.
6. Provide support to Planner 1 in processing variance requests.
7. Answer questions and provide information to the public, city staff, engineers, architects, developers and other interested parties regarding the Comprehensive Plan, land use, and zoning codes.
8. Assist in oversight, implementation, and amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
9. Participate in regional planning efforts and or projects.
10. Works with the Senior Planner to ensure that Planner 1’s current planning review items meet the City of Siloam Springs code requirements.
11. Ability to read, write, and interpret ordinance, resolutions, and policy that will support the Planning Division and Community Development goals.
12. Provides training and support for Planner 1 as needed.
13. Assist with special projects or other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications include the following:

Knowledge of:

1. Research techniques related to the field of urban planning.
2. Comprehensive planning.
3. Advanced knowledge of best practices, principles and practices of urban planning.
4. Current literature, sources of information and recent developments related to the field of urban planning.
5. Advanced Municipal and State land use law.
6. Current planning related computer software programs including, but not limited to Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, and ArcGIS.

Ability to:

1. Interpret and apply policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to Community Development Department programs and functions.
2. Read and interpret technical plans and reports.
3. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, City staff, engineers, architects, developers, and other interested parties regarding planning related items.
4. Ability to read existing and write new land development regulations.
5. Perform professional planning work with minimal supervision.
6. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
7. Prepare basic planning related to maps and graphics.
8. Keep accurate and detailed planning related to records and files.
9. Apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
10. Make verbal/graphical presentations to the Planning Commission and Board of Directors.
11. Ability to lead meetings with others related to development and land use considerations as the sole source of information for Siloam Springs codes relative to the Planning Division.
12. Works continually and aggressively on personal development with a goal to obtain AICP and/or CNU-A status.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Minimum education and/or experience requirements include a bachelor’s degree in urban planning or a closely related field and five years of private or public planning experience. A master’s degree is preferred. Applicants who can provide a combination of education, experience and training that is equivalent to the minimum qualifications will also be considered.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must possess a valid driver’s license. AICP Preferred. CNU-A Preferred. Professional certification of the “American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)” or CNU-A is to be obtained within two years of the hire date (or promotion date for internal hires).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close and color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Employees will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required by their supervisor.

* Safety sensitive position includes, but is not limited to, any job, assignment, rank or title where any of the following apply:

Subject to drug and alcohol testing or restrictions promulgated by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation; involves carrying, repairing, transporting or keeping of firearms or ammunition; includes performing any medical or life-saving procedures, or responsibility for procuring, storing, transporting, dispensing or administering any drugs or medical supplies or equipment; involves working with confidential information, documents or material pertaining to criminal investigations; procuring, storing, transporting or otherwise working with hazardous or flammable materials, controlled substances, food or electricity; involves operating, repairing, maintaining or driving heavy equipment, machinery, aircraft, motorized watercraft or motor vehicles, or working in close proximity thereto; a momentary lapse of attention may result in grave and immediate danger to the public, self or fellow employees; requires engaging in any other activity in which the employee is responsible for his or her own or other people's safety.

*Weather Essential position includes employees are declared to be all sworn police officers, all sworn firefighters, dispatchers, emergency road crew employees in the Street Department, and electrical personnel in the Electric Department.

*Civility and Professionalism The City of Siloam Springs is a team-based service organization. Maintenance of good internal morale is essential to the City’s success. An employee is required to maintain professional and ethical behavior and act with integrity in all matters. The City of Siloam is committed to providing a work environment that is free from bullying, harassment, intimidation, abusive language, gossip, employees spreading discontent or exhibiting any behavior that is disruptive to the workplace and contrary to the City’s mission.