HomeMy WebLinkAbout#07 - City Planner Job Description and Promotion
DATE: January 3, 2023
CONSENT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
AGENDA ITEM: Approve Revised Planner Job Description and Promote Jensen
BACKGROUND:
Part of the work done by Baker Tilly was to review job descriptions and make updates where
needed. To help in evaluating jobs across departments they included some standard language
about supervision, exercise of control, experience, etc to align with the evaluation factors they
discussed in October.
Per the City of Lake Elmo Personnel Policy, the city administrator or designee will determine if a
vacancy will be filled through an open recruitment or by promotion, transfer, or some other
method. I am recommending Sophia Jensen be promoted to Planner effective 1/4/23 at a rate of
$31.23/hour. Sophia began with the City of Lake Elmo about a year and a half ago as a GIS
intern. For the past year she has been serving as the city’s first code enforcement official.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
Should the Council approve the new job description for the Planner? Should the Council promote
Sophia Jensen to Planner?
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
Baker Tilly provided the updated job description as part of the study. The job description was
further refined in anticipation of the reorganization that will occur in the planning and building
department later this year-the transition to a Community Development Director and the addition of
a Senior Planner. A copy of the proposed job description is included in your packet.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The 2023 budget includes funds to cover the wages, taxes and benefits for the Planner at the
proposed rate.
OPTIONS:
1) Approve updating the Planner job description
2) Do not approve the above mentioned changes
RECOMMENDATION:
If removed from consent agenda:
“Motion to approve updating the Planner Job Description
ATTACHMENTS:
• Planner Job Description
City of Lake Elmo
Job Title: City Planner
Department: Planning
Status: Full-time regular position
Benefits: Qualifies for full-time benefits
Reporting Relationship: Reports to Planning Community Development Director
Supervisory Duties: This position does not formally supervise, but provides work direction
to the Planning Program Assistant. exercise supervisory responsibilities.
Position Details: The Planner performs intermediate work directing and coordinating the
development of the City. This position serves as the City’s junior planner and advises the
Department in land use issues affecting development and redevelopment such as variances,
conditional use permits, minor subdivisions, etc. This position is to be a resource to
residents, developers, Planning Commission, City Council, and co-workers on land use and
redevelopment matters. Work is performed under limited supervision and is responsible
for, but not limited to the following duties:
Under limited supervision, this position is to complete professional planning and
administrative work directing and coordinating the development of the City. This position
serves as the City’s principal planner and advises the Department in land use issues
affecting redevelopment and economic development. This position is to be a resource to
residents, developers, Planning Commission, City Council, Economic Development Authority
and co-workers on land use and redevelopment matters. This position is responsible for
coordinating housing redevelopment programs and serving as a resource for commercial
redevelopment activities. This position performs under the general supervision of the
Planning Director and is responsible, but not limited to the following duties:
Planning Projects:
Responsible to manage all aspects of planning projects, including community
engagement, consultant oversight, and approvals
Answer questions and provide general planning-related information to the public,
interprets overall plans, City projects, and ordinances
Analyzes and reviews variance requests and special-use/conditional use permits
and make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council
Coordinates the intake and review of planning and zoning applications and
monitors applications for compliance with state-mandated review schedules
Comprehensive Plan:
Review public projects and private developments proposals for conformance with
the Comprehensive Plan
Stakeholder Management:
Effectively identify and organize resident groups, coordinate input, arrange and
facilitate public meetings, prepare and present information and identify
community needs by collecting, verifying and compiling data from a variety of
sources
Develop quality Planning Commission, Parks Commission and City Council actions
and/or study items and present strategy plans, agreements, new initiatives,
contracts and community recommendations
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customers
and planning staff
Make presentations to committees, City Council, public or other agencies on all
areas of planning, housing/redevelopment, city code enforcement and parks and
recreation
Attend Planning Commission, Parks Commission, City Council meeting and other
meetings as needed, which may include night and weekend meetings
Project Management:
Provide customer service on-site, front counter, e-mail inquiries and phone calls
Act as project manager to manage project process, communication, expectations,
risk and issue resolution
Foster and demonstrate effective relationship building in a collaborative
environment including working across departments, with regional and state
agencies to form partnerships
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:
Demonstrates ability to prioritize tasks, solve problems and meet deadlines
Interface with other City, County and State Government and other jurisdictions
when required
Participate in the formation, evaluation and analysis of departmental long range
and strategic plans
Prepare written reports and materials for presentations
Assist in interpreting planning and zoning activities to commissions, boards,
developer and the public
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Prepare clear and concise reports
Education: four-year degree in Planning, Urban Studies, Geography, Landscape Architect,
or related fieldBachelor’s Degree
Requirements: Minimum of three years’Moderate experience in public sector position and
experience in:
• Fully capable in word processing, spreadsheet, Geographic Information System (GIS)
and other computer software
• Knowledge of principles of city planning and urban design
• Knowledge of techniques of problem solving, research procedures, and public
relations
• Valid MN State Driver’s License
Desired Qualifications:
Formal training on project management or certify
Physical and Mental Requirements: Work is performed in both office and field settings.
Some of the employee’s time is spent in field inspection associated with code enforcement
and 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. The employee
must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds.
**The physical demands described here are representative to 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.
Working Conditions: 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. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds.
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
**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.
Revised-1/23