Community Development Planner, Sr

The Position

The purpose of this classification is to provide technical and planning support services to the Department of Community and Economic Development Services for the City of Albany.

Operates a motor vehicle in performance of duties. Performs other related duties as required. Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.

Plans, organizes, and supervises daily operations and activities of various planning projects; plans and coordinates division projects; administers CDBG Target Area, HUD‑approved NRSA, and citywide HOME programs as appropriate; maintains all Performance Measures in HUD’s IDIS or similar program by entering financial information and authorizing draw‑downs at least quarterly as necessary.

Drafts and recommends changes to the 5‑year Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, Fair Housing Analysis of impediments, all Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas, and other plans as necessary; serves as the staff liaison to the Community Development Council, providing training, information, and reports to citizen advisors on a monthly basis; processes a variety of documentation associated with departmental operations per established procedures and within designated time frames;

distributes documentation or maintains records as appropriate; supervises research and field work to support preparation of federal and state reports; processes applications for subdivision, rezoning, and variances; drafts and recommends changes to the Comprehensive Development Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Regulations; prepares and/or completes various forms, correspondence, reports, drawings, charts, maps, and other documents; maintains file system of departmental records;

conducts environmental reviews; provides training, assistance, advice and technical expertise to staff members; serves as lead planner and technical advisor to staff members; prepares or assists in the development of special studies, including data collection, analyses, preparation of projects, alternative actions development and recommendation formulation; prepares all federal reports including program evaluations, grant responses, and related documents.

Plans, coordinates, and conducts public hearings; distributes public materials; publishes public notices in a timely manner; communicates via telephone and/or two‑way radio; provides information and assistance; takes and relays messages and/or directs calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls as necessary; communicates with supervisor, employees, city departments, inspectors, utility representatives, the public, representatives from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and other individuals as needed;

responds to routine requests for information or assistance from employees, officials, the public, representatives from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, or other individuals; operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data in computer database; verifies accuracy of entered data; makes corrections; uses knowledge of various software programs to operate a computer effectively and efficiently including mapping, database, spreadsheets, financial, and word processing systems;

attends meetings as appropriate; serves on committees as needed; makes speeches or presentations; participates in Community Development activities including meetings, boards, and task forces; maintains comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations; stays aware of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate; seeks out new sources of funding including government and private grants;

writes grant applications as needed.

Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Planning, or a closely related field; supplemented by five (5) years previous experience in some aspect of research and problem solving relative to strategic planning and analysis in the…