Planner I

Conducts telephone and in person interactions with the public for regulation, code, and specification inquiries and assistance.  Assists the management team and performs a variety of clerical and advisory functions.  Processes and tracks various land use applications and building permits.  Provides general support to the Director of Community Development.

Job Description/ Essential Duties

These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties the incumbent may be assigned.

• Receives applications, plans, and other documents, to determine sufficiency of submittals; advises applicants on requirements for complete submittals; participates in post submittal project review.
• Assists with various administrative tasks by scheduling site visits, inspections, scheduling meetings, filing permits and applications, performing data entry, and assisting customers at the counter and over the telephone.
• Explains policies, procedures and regulations to the public, developers, business organizations, contractors, and architects.

• Checks zoning regulations applicable to a particular property and provides all related information to interested parties;
• Catalogues and maintains official subdivision and site plan documents for public access;
• Determines the appropriateness and validity of data for use in various projects and makes recommendations for additional data collection as needed;

• Reviews planning applications for compliance with codes.
• Processes building permits by entering permits in the database, routing them to proper departments for review, and issuing permits to customer.
• Assists with preparation of staff reports and may present to various boards or organization meetings as assigned by the Director of Community Development.
• Attends Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, City Council, County Commission and various other board or organization meetings, keeping track of meeting minutes and record proceedings as necessary.
• Researches, records, and provides customers with specialized site-specific property information such as zoning, subdivision information, building permits, building information, zoning, site and plot plans and various notices.
• Provides coordination support with personnel in the fields of construction, engineering, fire, public works, planning, surveying, engineering, plumbing, etc. to maintain project continuity.
• Assists city management in resolving land use issues.
• Assists planning, building, public works, and engineering staff on a frequent basis; provides support to other city departments as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Related to this Position:

The successful candidate will possess: 

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, principles, practices, services, and activities of a comprehensive City-County planning program.
• Operational characteristics, principles, practices, services, and activities of a comprehensive building inspection and plans examination program.
• General surveying and civil engineering principles as related to land development and building construction.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws and codes related to land use and building construction.
• Principles of land use development design, structural design, engineering mathematics and soil types.
• Modern office practices, methods, and the use of computer equipment knowledge and skills.

Skill or ability to:

• Interpret building inspection and land use policies and procedures to contractors, homeowners and the general public and apply the policies, procedures, laws and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals and policies.

• Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records.
• Must be able to add, subtract, divide and multiply. 
• Reading materials and verbal instructions require moderate interpretation.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel and Word) and the ability to learn and utilize various software and databases.
• Ability to operate computer systems effectively.
• Ability to write and present clear and concise administrative reports.
• Ability to interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations as they relate to the position.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of the Director of Community Development or as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

None.