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HomeMy WebLinkAbout#09 - Senior PlannerSTAFF REPORT DATE: March 19, 2024 CONSENT AGENDA ITEM: Approve Senior City Planner Job Description and authorize job posting SUBMITTED BY: Karissa Goers, Administrative Services Director REVIEWED BY: Jason Stopa, Community Development Director BACKGROUND: A full-time Senior City Planner position was approved for the 2024 budget. ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Should the Council approve the new job description and authorize advertising for the Senior City Planner position? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: Included in your packet is a job description and job posting for a Senior City Planner. This is a new job description for the city. City staff evaluated the position using the SAFE criteria as provided by Baker Tilly and found that it should be placed at a grade 9. This position would enhance the community development department. The city has been contracting senior planner services with Bolten & Menk for several years. The city would continue contracting these services to allow Jenni and Nathan to complete all projects they are currently working on and to ensure the department is up to speed on all future projects. The Senior Planner performs advanced technical work directing and coordinating the development of the City. This position serves as the City’s principal planner and is to be a resource to the Planning Commission, City Council, Economic Development Authority, co- workers, residents, and developers on planning, land use, and development matters. FISCAL IMPACT: This position has been included in the 2024 budget. OPTIONS: 1) Approve the job description as presented and authorize issuing the posting for Senior City Planner 2) Amend and then approve one or both the job description or posting for Senior City Planner 3) Do not approve the job description and/or advertise for Senior City Planner RECOMMENDATION: If removed from the consent agenda: “Motion to approve the Senior City Planner job description and authorize advertising the position.” ATTACHMENTS: • Senior City Planner Job description • Senior City Planner Job Posting The City of Lake Elmo offers competitive pay and benefits in addition to professional development opportunities to all employees. The city’s number one value statement is to foster an environment based on trust and ethics. These philosophies and practices help the City in recruiting and retaining exceptional employees. Accepting Applications for the Position of: SENIOR CITY PLANNER HIRING RANGE: $78,588 – $91,104 per year (DOQ) OPENING DATE: 3/20/2024 CLOSING DATE: Open until filled, with the first review of applications taking place on 4/19/2024 POSITION TITLE: Senior City Planner DEPARTMENT: Community Development ACCOUNTABLE TO: Community Development Director FLSA STATUS: Exempt Position Details: The Senior Planner performs advanced technical work directing and coordinating the development of the City. This position serves as the City’s principal planner and is to be a resource to the Planning Commission, City Council, Economic Development Authority, co-workers, residents, and developers on planning, land use, and development matters. Work is performed under limited supervision and is responsible, but not limited to the following duties: Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Planning/Project Management • Coordinate the intake and review of planning and zoning applications and monitor applications for compliance with state-mandated review schedules • Manage all aspects of planning projects, including community engagement, consultant oversight, and approvals • Analyze, review, and manage major subdivisions, PUDs, development agreements, comprehensive plan amendments, and major changes to the zoning ordinance • Work closely with both the developer and city engineer on land use projects Comprehensive Plan Management • Review public projects and private development proposals for conformance with the Comprehensive Plan • Manage requests to amend the Comprehensive Plan. Work with the Met Council on the Comprehensive Plan Stakeholder Management • Answer questions and provide general planning-related information to the public, interpret overall plans, City projects, and ordinances • Attend and make presentations at City Council, Planning Commission, EDA, Parks Commission meetings and other meetings as needed, which may include night and weekend meetings • Assist other planners within the department • Provide customer service on-site, front counter, e-mail inquiries and phone calls • Foster and demonstrate effective relationship building in a collaborative environment including working across departments and with regional and state agencies to form partnerships Competencies Common to All City Positions: • Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable City policies and procedures • Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff • Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible • Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities • Represent the City of Lake Elmo in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the City. Position Requirements Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: • Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning • Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development • Knowledge and experience in construction processes for major subdivisions • Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection • Knowledge of effective writing techniques • Knowledge of computer programs and applications including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat • Demonstrate ability to prioritize tasks, solve problems and meet deadlines • Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills • Ability to maintain composure under pressure, as well as in difficult or tense situations • Ability to read, analyze and clearly interpret professional publications, technical manuals, and land use planning and zoning regulations to communicate these to nonexperts in understandable terms • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: Work is performed in both office and field settings. Some of the employee’s time is spent in field inspection associated with development cases. Sufficient mobility is necessary to navigate natural terrain and construction sites. Visual acuity sufficient to evaluate field conditions, plans and drawings is necessary. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. While performing duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear, use hands to finger, handle, feel and operate objects, tools or controls. This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Work is performed in a field environment involving working inside and outside of vehicles and in confined spaces. Seasonal conditions can include excessive heat or cold. Conditions can include working in wet, muddy, slippery or dusty and windy conditions. **The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Minimum Qualifications: Education: Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field. Three (3) years of experience (in addition to the experience required below) may substitute for a degree. Requirements: ● Considerable experience (3-5 years) in professional planning with at least one (1) year of experience working at a city or county planning department ● Proficient in MS Office and Adobe Acrobat ● Valid Driver’s License Preferred Qualifications: • Master's degree in urban planning • Five (5) years of professional planning experience with three (3) years of experience working at a city or county planning department • Three (3) years of experience managing major subdivision projects • Experience managing geospatial data and creating maps with ArcGIS mapping software OPEN UNTIL FILLED WITH FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS TAKING PLACE 04/19/2024 SEND COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: CITY OF LAKE ELMO ATTN: KARISSA GOERS, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR 3880 LAVERNE AVENUE NORTH, LAKE ELMO, MN 55042 OR KGOERS@LAKEELMO.ORG A CITY EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.LAKEELMO.ORG CITY OF LAKE ELMO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 1 Senior Planner City of Lake Elmo Senior Planner Job Title: Senior Planner Department: Community Development Status: Full-time regular position, Exempt Benefits: Qualifies for full-time benefits Reporting Relationship: Reports to the Community Development Director Supervisory Duties: Supervision is exercised over assigned division personnel. Position Details: The Senior Planner performs advanced technical work directing and coordinating the development of the City. This position serves as the City’s principal planner and is to be a resource to the Planning Commission, City Council, Economic Development Authority, co-workers, residents, and developers on planning, land use, and development matters. Work is performed under limited supervision and is responsible, but not limited to the following duties: Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Planning/Project Management • Coordinate the intake and review of planning and zoning applications and monitor applications for compliance with state-mandated review schedules • Manage all aspects of planning projects, including community engagement, consultant oversight, and approvals • Analyze, review, and manage major subdivisions, PUDs, development agreements, comprehensive plan amendments, and major changes to the zoning ordinance • Work closely with both the developer and city engineer on land use projects Comprehensive Plan Management • Review public projects and private development proposals for conformance with the Comprehensive Plan • Manage requests to amend the Comprehensive Plan. Work with the Met Council on the Comprehensive Plan Stakeholder Management • Answer questions and provide general planning-related information to the public, interpret overall plans, City projects, and ordinances • Attend and make presentations at City Council, Planning Commission, EDA, Parks Commission meetings and other meetings as needed, which may include night and weekend meetings • Assist other planners within the department • Provide customer service on-site, front counter, e-mail inquiries and phone calls • Foster and demonstrate effective relationship building in a collaborative environment including working across departments and with regional and state agencies to form partnerships 2 Senior Planner Competencies Common to All City Positions: • Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable City policies and procedures • Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff • Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible • Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities • Represent the City of Lake Elmo in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the City. Position Requirements Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: • Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning • Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development • Knowledge and experience in construction processes for major subdivisions • Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection • Knowledge of effective writing techniques • Knowledge of computer programs and applications including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat • Demonstrate ability to prioritize tasks, solve problems and meet deadlines • Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills • Ability to maintain composure under pressure, as well as in difficult or tense situations • Ability to read, analyze and clearly interpret professional publications, technical manuals, and land use planning and zoning regulations to communicate these to nonexperts in understandable terms • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: Work is performed in both office and field settings. Some of the employee’s time is spent in field inspection associated with development cases. Sufficient mobility is necessary to navigate natural terrain and construction sites. Visual acuity sufficient to evaluate field conditions, plans and drawings is necessary. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. While performing duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear, use hands to finger, handle, feel and operate objects, tools or controls. This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Work is performed in a field environment involving working inside and outside of vehicles and in confined spaces. Seasonal conditions can include excessive heat or cold. Conditions can include working in wet, muddy, slippery or dusty and windy conditions. 3 Senior Planner **The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Minimum Qualifications: Education: Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field. Three (3) years of experience (in addition to the experience required below) may substitute for a degree. Requirements: • Considerable experience (3-5 years) in professional planning with at least one (1) year of experience working at a city or county planning department • Proficient in MS Office and Adobe Acrobat • Valid Driver’s License Preferred Qualifications: • Master's degree in urban planning • Five (5) years of professional planning experience with three (3) years of experience working at a city or county planning department • Three (3) years of experience managing major subdivision projects • Experience managing geospatial data and creating maps with ArcGIS mapping software **The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Created – March 2024 Employee Acknowledgement I have read and understand the job requirements, essential functions, working conditions, responsibilities, and expectations set forth in the job description provided. I attest that I can perform the essential job functions as outlined with or without any reasonable accommodations. Employee Signature Date Employee Name: ____________________________________________________________