Proposed listing:

Position: Planner

Department: Development Services 

Employment Status: Permanent - Full Time - Exempt 

Schedule: Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This position may be on call outside of core business hours.

Compensation: Grade 10; Starting Salary range $59,192.10 - 63,436.91 

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Development Services Director, this position is responsible for performing complex administrative and managerial work in assisting the Development Services Director in a variety of assignments relating to the planning, direction, control and evaluation of City operations and programs. 

The City Planner is a senior planner (Planner III) position attending and staffing civic and public meetings for the purpose of explaining various aspects of the City’s Planning and Zoning Code and the City of Morgantown Comprehensive Plan. The position reports directly to the Development Services Director and has direct interaction with the City Manager’s office, the Morgantown Planning Commission, members of the City Council, and the public. 

The City Planner also supervises the City’s Zoning Administrator position. The involves providing guidance and oversight on zoning related matters, applications, building permits and when necessary, staff/technical assistance to the Board of Zoning Appeals. The City Zoning Administrator reports directly to the City Planner. The City Planner must be certified with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or have the ability to obtain said credential with in 12 months of being hired or as soon as reasonably possible in accordance with AICP eligibility and certification requirements. 

Serving as the chief planner in the Director of Development Services’ absence, the job requires the ability to assist in the development and execution of city policies and procedures, develop and implement long- and short-term goals, objectives, and strategic plans under the direction of local and state planning regulations. The City Planner must direct and execute special projects as assigned, and in turn, provide professional management of those assigned projects, programs, and functions at the direction and discretion of the Director of Development Services.

Essential Duties - Knowledge - Skills - Abilities

• Interpret and apply applicable City development ordinances and regulations and provide written determinations. 
• Review various development applications including site plans, minor/major subdivisions, zoning map and text amendments, and planned unit developments. 
• Provides staff and technical assistance to the Morgantown Planning Commission. 
• Assists the Zoning Administrator review and process building permits, and zoning related applications that include petitions for variance relief, conditional use permits, temporary use permits and signage permits.  
• Initiate actions necessary to correct Planning and Zoning related deficiencies or violations of regulations.
• Assist with updates and maintenance of the Comprehensive Plan and Subdivision and Land Development (SALDO) regulations. 
• Conduct extensive research in specific or general project areas.
• Write and/or assist in writing formal and technical reports, working papers, correspondences, ordinances, regulations, and operating procedures.
• Prepare and present reports and other findings to staff, Planning Commission, and City Council and serve as liaison to various standing and ad hoc committees.
• with the Director of Development Services on short and long-term planning, as well as assess and recommend priorities, schedules, and funding sources to implement community and economic development improvement projects. 
• Collaborate with various community agencies on planning, transportation, public facility/infrastructure and community/economic development related projects as needed.
• Perform review of field notes and site conditions.
• Attend community meetings and gatherings (as necessary) throughout the week.
• Other duties as assigned. 
• Well-developed knowledge of professional planning principles, practices, and administration particularly in one or more planning specializations such as housing and community development, land use and environmental planning, economic development, etc.
• Knowledge of pertinent land use related federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations including recent changes.
• Knowledge of citizen participation methods, techniques and processes.
• Knowledge of principles, methodology, and practices of quantitative and qualitative research and data collection techniques.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs including Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, database management, internet applications, etc.
• Ability to review development plans and apply provisions of codes and ordinances to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions.
• Capable of managing multiple, high-priority projects, assignments, and issues simultaneously and meeting firm deadlines.
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information and resolve less well-defined practical problems.
• Innovative, detail-oriented, and experienced in highly visible/controversial projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop good working relations at various levels and to resolve complaints.
• Group facilitation skills for use with community workshops.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret research data for reports and apply mathematic techniques in practical situations.
• Reading comprehension to understand technical and legal materials.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment as needed.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• 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.
• Sedentary Work – Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. 
• Field Work – Depending on assignment, the position requires the ability to operate a motor vehicle and walk on uneven surfaces. Experience with computer data analysis and field analysis (e.g., weather, meeting notes, times, etc.). 

Use of Technology

• General office equipment is frequently used, including but not limited to computers, laptops, telephones and cell phone, printers, scanners, and cameras. 
•  A motor vehicle is frequently used.

Contact & Supervision

• Reports directly to the Director of Development Services
• Provides direct supervision of the Zoning Administrator
• Collaborates with the Chief Building Official, Community Development Services Coordinator, Director of Engineering and Public Works and other administrative staff.

The City of Morgantown is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. 

Minimum Requirements

Education: 

• Bachelor Degree from an accredited university in City and Regional Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Urban Planning Administration, Geography, Urban Planning, or a closely related field and four years of professional planning experience. 

Certification/License:

• Valid Driver's License
• Ability to obtain AICP certification within one (1) year of hire or as soon as reasonably possible in accordance with AICP eligibility and certification requirements. 

Experience:

• Four (4) to Six (6) years of professional experience in the city/urban planning profession or related field. 
• Other combination of experience and education that meet the acceptable requirements may be substituted.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited university in City and Regional Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Urban Planning, or a closely related field.  
• One (1) year of experience with GIS programs and applications. 
• One (1) year of experience with site design and visualization tools, such as Power Point, Sketch Up, CAD, GIS, Photoshop or similar tools.  
• AICP Certification