ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

 50% Planning and Administration

• Approve planning-related requirements needed for issuance of building permits, sign permits, home occupations, business registrations, occupancy permits, and related documents.
• Implement recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan and other planning studies.
• Review cases, prepare reports, set agendas, and conduct meetings for the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.
• Develop and recommend new policies, procedures, and ordinances to remain in compliance with regulatory agencies and protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.
• Perform work in accordance with established standards and in compliance with city and department policies and procedures.
• Present technical information at public meetings and serve as Secretary to the Planning Commission.
• Respond to inquiries from business owners, developers, and members of the public regarding regulatory planning matters
• Develop staff reports and make presentations to the City Council and other boards and commissions.
• Prepare reports and correspondence for federal, state, county, and other agencies, as well as for the general public and maintain records.
• Provide leadership and supervision to staff and delegate and assign projects and tasks.
• Provide on-the-job training and professional development opportunities to staff to ensure they keep up with developments in their fields.
• Recommend employment-related decisions involving hiring, discipline, and all other status changes; develop performance expectations and evaluate employee performance.
• Participate in budgetary and strategic planning.

20% Zoning Administration and Regulation

• Provide interpretation and explanation of the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations and ensure that all related matters are in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.
• Review and make recommendations on changes to the Zoning Code, Subdivision Regulations and other applicable regulations.
• Enforce zoning and applicable city codes.
• Review zone change requests, proposed subdivision plats, lot splits, requests for city and county conditional use permits, and site plan submittals.

30% Comprehensive Planning 

• Annually review the City’s Comprehensive Plan and undertake any needed actions to update or revise the plan.
• Oversee public engagement activities for development of new plans or amendments to existing plans.
• Develop short- and long- range plans, including the city’s comprehensive plan, area plans, annexation plans, and other specialized plans and collaborate with other City staff for parks, bike paths, and other City infrastructure, facilities, and amenities.
• Confer with engineering staff on current and proposed capital improvement projects.
• Assess federal and state regulations pertaining to community planning and work with the City Attorney to ensure regulations and practices are consistent with requirements.
• Prepare annexation documents and reports and present to the Planning Commission, City Council and Board of County Commissioners as appropriate.

Continually looks for new and improved ways of completing the above functions.  Other tasks as assigned will be performed to address business needs.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Latitude:  Most duties are self-determined, planned, and arranged by performer.  Problem solving requires advanced technical knowledge.  Decisions frequently must be made independently based on city policy and consultation with appropriate stakeholders.  Makes purchasing decisions within budgetary limitation and purchasing policies.

Interaction:  Frequent interaction with employees throughout the organization, city boards and commissions, developers, engineers, and the general public.

Qualifications:

• Master degree in Planning, Public Administration, or related field, required. Applicants with a Bachelor degree in related field with significant related experience will be considered as substitute for a Master degree.
• Five years progressive experience in urban planning, public administration, landscape architecture, or related field, required.
• Experience in zoning administration, physical land use planning, subdivision layout and design, and the overall planning process, required.
• Two years supervisory experience, preferred.
• AICP certification, preferred.
• Valid Kansas driver’s license and driving record must meet commercial liability insurance requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of physical design, the way in which cities function, and the principles and practices of urban planning.
• Knowledge of the social and environmental impact of planning decisions on communities.
• Understanding of the legal foundation for land use regulation.
• Understanding of the interaction between the economy, transportation, health and human services, and land-use regulation.

• Excellent communication skills sufficient to express ideas and agreements concisely and persuasively, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences.
• Negotiation, persuasion, tact, and diplomacy are essential for effectively performing tasks.

• Skill in solving problems and making decisions independently and in a team environment.

• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Ability to solve problems using a balance of technical competence, creativity and research.
• Ability to engage multiple stakeholders in decision making processes.
• Ability to apply planning principles with respect to practical realities and in consideration of specific case-by-case circumstances.
• Ability to analyze demographic information to discern trends in population, employment, and health.
• Ability to work with plats, blueprints, codes, geographic information systems, and office software.
• Ability to prepare and review complex reports.
• Ability to envision alternatives to the physical and social environments in which we live.

• Ability to operate office-related equipment, including ability to access and retrieve information from various computer software programs.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions:  Infrequent exposure to adverse weather conditions and hazardous situations.  Occasional carrying, lifting, moving or pushing of 30 pounds.  Occasional bending, squatting, and twisting.  Frequent use of manual dexterity and visualization of a computer screen throughout the day.  Two to three evening meetings required per month.

Salary Range:

$65,000 — $88,000 DOQ