Principal Planner

Come join the City of Appleton and thrive! Here at the City, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a forward-thinking, positive environment alongside other caring team members. You’ll be challenged by rewarding work that impacts the lives of community members each day. You’ll expand your skills and knowledge through training and growth opportunities. You’ll be respected and appreciated for sharing your ideas and bringing your authentic self to your work. And you can celebrate your successes with your loved ones because of the great flexible work arrangements the City offers. Come join our team—you belong here!   

The City of Appleton is seeking a full-time Principal Planner. This is a professional planning position responsible for directing, organizing, managing, and administering all planning programs and policies for the City. This position requires you to exercise discretion and judgment, to perform complex research and analysis, and to lead highly complicated planning projects, including developing and updating the Comprehensive Plan, Neighborhood Plans, TIF/Redevelopment Plans, other City Plans, and Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. In addition, this position coordinates development projects with and promotes cooperative working relationships among other city departments, elected officials, outside agencies, and community members. The incumbent works as part of a team with other principal planners and provides professional assistance to the Community and Economic Development Director and Deputy Director, and other departments in areas of expertise.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Advises and meets with directors, supervisors, internal staff, elected officials, outside agencies, and the public on current, long-range and historic planning, zoning, land use and city policy matters.
• Facilitates, guides and advises in the creation of the Comprehensive Plan and related city plans and policies, in the general areas of transportation/infrastructure, land use, recreation and community facilities, environment/sustainability, community health, and community/economic development.
• Makes private and public presentations to directors, supervisors, internal staff, common council, boards, commissions and committees, neighborhood groups, all stakeholders and the general public. 
• Manages, advises, leads, coordinates various commissions, committees, and internal review groups, including City Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Public Arts Committee, Internal Site Plan Review Committee, Technical Review Group, consultants and other groups as assigned. 
• Manages and leads professional planning projects which includes preparing written reports for: annexations, detachment of municipal territory, rezonings, planned developments, special use permits, preliminary and final plats, official mapping, public dedications, future land use map amendments, street vacations, street name changes, local historic building and district designations, certificate of appropriateness, public art installations and other planning projects. 
• Leads review and approval of professional planning projects, permits and licenses which includes: site plans, temporary uses and structures, special use permit transfers, certified survey maps, lot line adjustments, minor amendments to planned developments, landscaping and parking waivers, home occupations, liquor, secondhand dealer, amusement devise and mobile home park licenses, other state and federal licenses.
• Meets with and provides assistance to developers, property owners, community organizations, other groups and city departments and individuals regarding planning concepts, and the planning process, including application requirements, applicable zoning regulations and other polices and standards.
• Manages all aspects of the City’s Neighborhood Program, including assisting with neighborhood formation, leading neighborhood group meetings, and overseeing the allocation of grant funds.
• Monitors and ensures the comprehensive plan, zoning, historic preservation, floodplain, shoreland, subdivision ordinances, public art policy, zoning map, official street map, future land use map, historic register and sites inventory map and other ordinances, policies and maps are in compliance with local, state and federal laws.
• Manages, leads, prepares, coordinates amendments to the Comprehensive plan, municipal zoning, historic preservation, floodplain, shoreland, subdivision ordinances, public art policy, and other ordinances and policies as assigned. 
• Administers zoning, historic preservation and subdivision ordinances, including preparing written interpretations. 
• Responds to resolutions and requests from the alderpersons.
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, streamline processes, develop and update forms and work cooperatively to provide quality customer service.
• Prepares resolutions, public notices, planning program reports, correspondence and accumulate data to accomplish community and economic development functions. 
• Performs management of departmental records for planning, land use and site plan approvals and permits per statute of limitations for records retention and Municipal Code.
• Manages, leads, and coordinates special projects as assigned. 
• Maintains regular punctual and predictable attendance, works overtime and extra hours as required.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Represents the Community and Economic Development department at various committees as needed. 
• Works directly with the Director and Deputy Director of Community and Economic Development in the preparation of the budget.
• Advises and supports the Director and Deputy Director of Community and Economic Development on various city, state, federal regulations/policies related to land use and development matters. 
• Works actively with customers, the public, elected officials and other city staff on problem-solving for creative solutions that are technically sound, and respond to specific inquiries related to specific sites and/or development projects.
• Keeps informed of current trends in the planning/zoning field, including legislation, court rulings, and professional practices and techniques; evaluates the impact on city operations and make recommendations on any policy and procedural improvements.
• Maintains documentation and prepares the necessary reports to achieve annual compliance with the housing affordability and fee report statute and the historic preservation certified local government agreement. 
• Works on citywide projects, policies, agreements and serve on citywide teams as requested. Establishes collaborations with other city departments to improve efficiency and effectiveness of city services.
• Manages the activities of consultants, including selection, evaluation, and contract administration. 
• Participates in the selection of planning staff; provide staff training.
• Develops and maintains departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs).

A Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field and 8 or more years of professional planning experience; a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field and 5 or more years of professional planning experience.

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of urban planning, historic preservation, zoning, and community development.
• Thorough knowledge of Wisconsin State Statutes pertaining to annexation, planning, zoning, subdivision and municipal law, federal laws, and court decisions affecting local municipalities. 
• Thorough knowledge of two of more planning disciplines, such as land use planning/zoning, historic preservation, urban design, economic development, transportation planning, environmental planning, landscape architecture, or housing.
• Advanced knowledge of Wisconsin building codes, zoning codes, shoreland and floodplain codes engineering, design and sustainability practices.
• Knowledge of local government structure and interaction between various internal departments.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, including Microsoft Office, internet applications and GIS.
• Strong ability to multi-task and work effectively and efficiently in a fast paced environment. 
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities within the time frame required.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, civil engineering, landscaping, and lighting plans and survey maps.
• Ability to collect, analyze, compile, and arrange technical, statistical, and related information for planning and zoning research and to interpret and consistently apply City codes and ordinances.
• Ability to collaborate with, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other professionals, City employees, other departments, elected officials, other internal and external stakeholders and the general public.
• Ability to schedule and conduct in-person and virtual public meetings and to use effective public engagement techniques and involvement.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with personnel at various levels both within and outside the organization.
• Ability to conduct in-house training on the principles, practices, and techniques of urban planning, historic preservation, zoning, and community development.
• Ability to produce acceptable work in a reasonable timeframe, maintain accurate records and prepare complete reports and studies.
• Ability to complete sensitive and technically complex planning assignments and to conduct field evaluations and assessments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive materials, records, and conversations. 
• Possess and maintain a valid Wisconsin driver's license.