City Planner

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SUMMARY OF POSITION

The City Planner is a planning professional that works independently using sound judgment and discretion in the day to day performance of job duties. The position is primarily responsible for the planning and zoning review of Occupational Tax Certificates, Alcohol Licenses, and building permits. The City Planner assists the Planning Commission by attending the monthly meetings, organizing agenda packets for the Commission and public, and other associated tasks such as taking minutes and managing the calendar.

This position also assists the Planning and Community Development Department in creating applications for new processes, grant applications, researching for code amendments, drafting letters to notify the community of changes, and other duties as assigned. The City Planner also serves as a backup for the Permit Technician, assisting customers with questions related to permitting, the permitting process, and zoning compliance. The position is part of a team-oriented office structure within Doraville City Hall that maintains efficient and effective contact with the public and provides above average customer service.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The Director of Planning and Community Development and Senior Planner provide assignments and duties in the forms of outlines or suggestions, and the employee is expected to follow through to completion. Expectations and detailed reviews will be provided initially, but ultimately the expectation is that the position will be largely self-guided after initial training.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of a specific statement from the duties does not exclude a duty from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. This position is intended to be flexible, and other duties may be required and assigned as required.

• Performs the planning and zoning reviews for building, demolition, and land disturbance permits, for all manner of projects including, but not limited to: large scale commercial projects, single-family home improvements, and sign permits.
• Reviews applications for Occupational Tax Certificates (business licenses) and Alcohol Licenses for zoning compliance.
• Completes and sends Zoning Verification Letters (ZVL).
• Assists in creating the agenda, attends, and taking minutes at Planning Commission meetings.
• Responds to relevant Open Records Requests.
• Maintains Department case files for permitting, plan review, and planning and zoning.
• Acts as Department liaison to all internal/external reviewers within the plan review and permitting process.
• Compiles data and maintains database to support all monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports to inside and exterior parties (including but not limited to the Census Bureau, Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)).
• Answers incoming phone calls directs calls as applicable.
• Provides general customer assistance or directs to applicable party or parties.
• Sets up and attends all pre-application meetings and records transcript of proceedings.
• Maintains deadlines and schedules on behalf of the Department of Planning and Community Development.
• Maintains a weekly plan review spreadsheet to ensure review deadlines are being met.
• Prepares general correspondence (as needed) on behalf of the Department.
• Periodic contact and coordination with the City Clerk, Code Enforcement, the Building Official, and the Occupational Tax Clerk will be required to cross-check outcomes.
• Assists with the development and implementation of the City's Comprehensive Plan in accordance with state law and guidelines in an effort to facilitate the development of an effective comprehensive plan that is coordinated across governmental boundaries.
• Conducts research in specific or general project areas.
• Assists in writing or creating ordinances, regulations, and applications as needed.
• Assists in the writing of grant applications for funding of transportation, economic development, and community development projects.
• Any and all other tasks as may be assigned by the Director of Planning and Community Development for the proper operations of the Community Development Department and City Hall.
• Night work will be required one or more times per month for Planning Commission meetings; occasional weekend work for City events/trainings/retreats may also be required.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures; maintains an awareness of new equipment, procedures, trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in continuing education activities; attends meetings, workshops and seminars as appropriate.
• Operates a personal computer, calculator, technical equipment, an automobile or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of work processing, spreadsheet, database or other system software.
• Exercises discretion in the performance of the work and regularly uses independent judgment.

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DESIRABLE SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• General knowledge of site plan and permitting.
• Knowledge of the City and departmental policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the City zoning ordinances, codes, regulations and policies as well as state and federal laws.
• Proficient time management skills and organization.
• Skill in using independent judgment and discretion and to ensure confidentiality.
• Skill in understanding and functioning within a team environment.
• Must be able to function effectively in a work environment in which the employee is exposed to significant public scrutiny, and be able to adequately and effectively address public questions and concerns as well as interact with members of the community.
• Ability to maintain accurate personal records.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Must be able to work effectively with the Mayor, City Council and other staff members in City government.

• Must have word processing and data entry skills to include spreadsheet application(s) and permitting software. Specific experience with ESRI ArcMap, iWorQ and/or BS&A is highly desirable.
• Must be able to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment with minimal supervision and high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Must possess and maintain a Georgia driver's license or other state-issued identification.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Must have at a minimum an associate’s degree with a focus on planning and zoning, land use, public policy, information systems and analytics, sociology, or related field with a minimum of one (1) year experience as a permit clerk, plan review coordinator, planner, or zoning technician or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Applicant must be bondable.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience in public sector.
• Bachelor’s degree in planning, land use, public policy, or related field preferred.
• Proficient bilingual skills in Spanish, Korean, Bangla or other languages spoken in Doraville.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
• Must be able to work various shifts which include working on weekends and holidays.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment background investigation, to include but not limited to, a physical examination with drug screening and an oral interview.
• In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, or other applicable law, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both perspective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations.

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BENEFITS:

• Medical insurance options, including HSA and HRA, with a non-tobacco user discount
• Dental and Vision insurance available
• The City pays for short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance for employee and qualified spouse and child(ren); supplement life insurance available
• FSA option
• Supplemental coverage through Aflac available
• The City automatically contributes 8% of eligible compensation into employees' 401(a), and matches 50% of employee contributions up to 6% = up to 11% retirement contribution from the City
• 12 paid holidays annually
• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) leave structure, accrued per pay period
• Eligible for benefits 1st of the month after hire date
• 30 days waiting period for retirement participation
• Tuition assistance program
• Free Employee Assistance Program available to all employees and their dependents

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

This classification specification does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change. Employment in the position with the City of Doraville is at-will in accordance with Georgia law.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:

The City is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) employer committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, hiring, assignment, re-assignment, promotion, transfer, and compensation, discipline and termination. The City prohibits discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation in employment based upon race; color; religion; national origin; sex (including same-sex); sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability or handicap; citizenship status; service member status; public assistance status; or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $45,760.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
vaccination or testing policy

Work Location: Multiple Locations