Planner - Zoning Enforcement

The Department of Planning & Development Review (PDR) works across city departments to develop planning policy and implement the comprehensive plan is hiring for the position of Planner. This position plays a crucial role in ensuring code compliance within the City and handling zoning enforcement activities both through general enforcement and assisting the Coordinated Code Enforcement (CCET) multi-agency team. At times, the position requires the ability to work late night and/or weekend hours to conduct zoning-related complaint investigations or represent the office in community or citizen forums or meetings. The selected applicant may also work on implementing the Richmond 300 Master Plan, updates to the City's land use ordinances and reviewing area-wide re-zonings.

• Leading City-initiated updates to the Zoning Ordinance and Map for areas of the City where the existing zoning is outdated and not in compliance with the City's Master Plan recommendations, and when funded, leading the comprehensive rewrite of the Zoning Ordinance. 
• The position processes zoning cases, determines corrective actions and sets deadlines.
• The position conducts field investigations relative to zoning violations and responds to zoning-related service requests as well as completing routine forms and following established procedures.
• The position also fields questions from the general public and provides technical guidance to citizens and developer and determines project compliance with adopted development plans, historic preservation ordinances and other areas of concern to the community.
• The position requires an understanding of program activities and requires discussing code-related items with citizens, developers, department and program personnel and neighborhood teams and groups.
• Reviews, explains, interprets, and promotes compliance with established rules, policies and procedures.
• Drafts correspondence to property owners, developers, agencies, and others.
• The position must also enter routine, technical and specialized data into departmental computer systems.
• Managing planning processes and implementing expansive engagement strategies including coordination of contractors and consultants, interdisciplinary staff, stakeholders and representatives from outside organizations. 
• Analyzing, preparing, developing and presenting ordinances, plans and projects to boards and commissions. 
• Conducting research and analysis on land use and development topics using ArcGIS, Excel and other software tools and summarizing findings in reports using PowerPoint, Word, the Adobe Creative Suite, and other reporting and presentation tools. 
• Serving on various planning teams and working on various projects and issues, including environment, transportation, land use, development and real estate.
• Representing the City and the department on internal and external committees, boards and working groups; 
• Communicating on an ongoing basis with neighborhood groups, City staff, citizens and the private and public development community around planning and development issues. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

• Basic knowledge in rezoning and special use permit processes
• Plan of Development Review Process and Subdivision Review Process
• Proficiency in developing community plans, corridor plans, comprehensive plans, and/or housing plans
• Understanding of the real estate development process from entitlement to financing and construction administration and permitting
• Knowledge of form-based codes and the latest trends in zoning ordinances 
• General knowledge of: urban planning and design; federal preservation laws and regulations; preservation planning; zoning ordinances; historic preservation principles; master planning; traditional neighborhood development; transportation planning; ordinance preparation; land title surveying; and engineering principles
• Expertise with some  combination of the following computer programs: Microsoft Office Suite; Energov; Legistar; Blue Beam; SharePoint; word processing programs; AutoCAD; SketchUp; ArcGIS; and Adobe Creative Suite (i.e. InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop).

Skills (some combination of the following):

• Providing excellent customer service, including dealing with unhappy customers
• Being a clear and effective facilitator, including public speaking skills and defending recommendations/positions
• Managing databases and composing documents
• Negotiating and balancing the needs of citizens with economic demands, health and human service needs, goals of private corporations, and land use regulations
• Preparing documentation according to state and federal standards
• Conducting research
• Reading and understanding building plans
• Conducting site inspections

Abilities (some combination of the following):

• Analyze information
• Learn new programs quickly
• Communicate planning and local government policy issues to a range of audiences
• Interact and work with different groups of people
• Undertake complex projects with multiple deadlines and stakeholders
• Adapt to unique variables (i.e. physical, regulatory, political) 

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, civil or environmental engineering, landscape architecture, or a related field
• Three years of experience or an equivalent amount of graduate level training.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification

Preferred Qualifications:

• Over five years of experience and a Master's degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban design or historic preservation; 
• Direct experience in the researching and writing zoning ordinances; 
• Demonstrated experience working in current planning, zoning, and with boards and commissions; 
• Experience working in an urban environment; 
• Excellent public presentation, leadership, time management and organizational skills; 
• Significant experience with code development, Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND), new urbanism and both downtown and neighborhood revitalization techniques;
• Demonstrated experience in Arc-GIS, SketchUp, InDesign, Illustrator, and graphics packages; and
• Planner with AICP or VAZO credentials.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Virginia Motor Vehicle Driver License

Salary : $59,652 - $111,979