Associate Planner

Basic Purpose of the Job:

Under general supervision performs a wide range of general and specialized professional level planning duties including current land use project review, long-range planning, and special projects. This position also administers City Codes, ordinances and policies as they pertain to the field of planning and development review. This position assists in making recommendations through the City Manager to appointed and elected officials and provides customer service to citizens, City staff and government officials.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. Indicate how the employee performed relative to these standards by entering your detailed point score in the box on the right and providing a detailed narrative in the box below each essential function.

• Review current planning land use projects including rezones, variances, subdivisions, site development plans, encroachment permits, sign permits, planned developments, annexations, and other land use applications and permit requests for conformance with the applicable regulations.
• Serve as primary contact to the public in relation to planning activities, including walk-ins, phone calls, email, etc. Provide exceptional customer service. Coordinate with other city departments, outside agencies and organizations in relation to planning activities and projects.
• Perform professional-level planning functions involving facilitating meetings, assisting customers with the development process, and preparing reports. Assist Senior Planner and Community Development Director in support of City Planning Commission, presentations, reports, and public participation.
• Assist Senior Planner in publishing notices as required by code for public meetings and hearings for planning, grant, and land use related items.
• Assist Senior Planner and Community Development Director in facilitating a variety of current and long-range planning projects and research including analysis and interpretation of social, economic, demographic, and land use data through the use of GIS, Internet, and other means.
• Maintain professional networks with the public, city staff and other agency staff to facilitate open, effective communication between customers and reviewers. Maintain and support a positive, collaborative culture within the City organization as a whole.
• Maintain permitting software database for planning permits and projects. Maintain old planning records including documents, plats, and files that pre-date permitting software, and add them to the permitting software system. Create and maintain systems for locating old records. Research records requests according to the Open Records Act.
• Conduct field surveys and compile property research, including zoning, development patterns, and land use and property ownership. Explain code requirements, city ordinances, regulations and planning and zoning policies to other departments, contractors and other professionals and the general public.
• Assist the Senior Planner with Historic Preservation Commission applications, help in preparing Historic Preservation Commission memos, attend trainings, and conduct public outreach.
• Help in grant efforts for Planning related items and research, and write and coordinate responses on special projects as assigned.

Core beliefs are deeply held values and assumptions that guide individuals in the workplace. Core beliefs define how we do things. By establishing core beliefs, the City of Montrose is creating a common culture that shapes employee behavior in a positive and predictable manner. When these beliefs are shared, they create cohesion and mutual commitment in the organization and flexibility to changes as they occur.

Our core beliefs are centered on exceptional service and are based around treating our customers and fellow team members with dignity and respect. We value teamwork and recognize that we must…