Planning Specialist

Planning Specialist

The City of Danbury is announcing an Open Competitive Exam for the position of Planning Specialist. The Planning Specialist performs advanced administrative, technical, and paraprofessional planning functions in support of the Planning & Zoning Department. The employee coordinates key departmental processes, supports land use regulatory functions, conducts research and preliminary plan reviews, and serves as a primary liaison to internal and external stakeholders.

Work requires the application of specialized knowledge of municipal planning, zoning regulations, and land use procedures. The employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

Under the general supervision of the Director of Planning, the employee is familiar with the work routine and uses initiative to carry out recurring assignments independently, with specific instruction. Reviews and checks of the employee's work are applied to an extent sufficient to keep the supervisor aware of progress, and to ensure that completed work and methods used are technically accurate and that instructions are being followed.

The employee does not have supervisory responsibilities.

The employee has regular access to confidential department information, including personnel records, legal documents, and sensitive land use materials.

Consequences of errors, missed deadlines, or poor judgment may include significant monetary losses, waste of material, etc.

The work requires examining, analyzing, and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations, or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. The work requires the ability to interpret and apply planning and zoning regulations, evaluate land use information, and determine appropriate courses of action. The employee must exercise judgment in coordinating processes, preparing official documents, and responding to public inquiries.

The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices, and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field. The work involves coordinating multiple planning functions, applying technical knowledge of land use regulations, and managing detailed administrative processes. Tasks require the integration of planning concepts, regulatory requirements, and procedural standards.

Work is performed in a municipal office setting with frequent interruptions and interactions with the public and other City departments.

The employee interacts frequently with the public, developers, contractors, attorneys, and representatives of outside agencies. Work involves explaining regulations, coordinating planning processes, and resolving issues requiring tact, diplomacy, and professionalism. Internal relationships include regular communication with City staff to coordinate reviews, schedules, and departmental operations.

Duties generally do not present occupational risks to the employee.

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.