Planner



Planner

Salary

$59,562.26 - $87,078.58 Annually

Location

50010, IA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

14-1212-01

Department

Planning and Housing

Division

Planning & Housing

Opening Date

02/27/2015

Closing Date

4/17/2015 5:00 PM Central

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

MERIT

Residency Requirement?

No

Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.

 

 

General Information

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.

Under general supervision, works independently to implement the City's development standards, including zoning, subdivision, and other regulations. This is both a front-line planning position working directly with customers on development proposals permitting, code compliance, and inquiries; and also a long-range planning position involved in comprehensive planning, research, and policy development. Performs related work as required.

Examples of Essential Job Functions

Reviews plans and prepares reports on development requests as part of the City's development review process; presents findings to commissions and boards for variances, exceptions, special use permits, certificates of appropriateness pertaining to historic structures, and similar current planning applications. Provides information and assistance to developers and to citizens regarding development approval requirements. Assists the general public with planning and zoning questions and refers citizens to other resources as needed. Performs special studies pertaining to land use, environment, economic development, growth projections, annexations, etc. Makes presentations to boards, commissions, and City Council on planning reports including impacts, conclusions and recommendations. Performs field inspections, surveys and studies. Utilizes GIS and other resources to compile data, perform requested data analysis and mapping in support of project review and research. Maintains the City's zoning and land use maps. Ensures compliance of zoning, subdivision and related codes and performs essential duties of enforcement proceedings, including filing Municipal Infractions and testifying in court.

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement, inspiring creativity and innovation, being customer driven, making data-driven decisions, championing employee involvement, striving for excellence, having fiscal stewardship, acting with honesty and integrity, exhibiting leadership, choosing a positive attitude, respecting one another, promoting safety and wellness, and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.

In addition, the employee must also embrace the Planning Division's Vision, which is to Keep Ames Special Through Leading Edge Planning, and act in full accord with the related mission and guiding principles of the Division.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in planning, geography or closely related field, and three years experience in a private or local government planning office required.

Licenses and Certificates: Valid Iowa driver's license. AICP certification is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of planning principles, planning laws, and new concepts on planning. Knowledge of word processing software. Knowledge of computer applications, functions and their application to administration of development regulations. Experience with GIS, specifically using ESRI ArcMap version 10.1 or higher, creating and editing spatial and attribute data, developing maps, and analyzing spatial information is beneficial.

Skill in verbal and written communication. Skill in performing mathematical computations.

Ability to work effectively with the Director of Planning and Housing to develop a consistent format in reports and correspondences, and to develop a rational, consistent and defensible application of codes and policies. Ability to identify and implement innovative planning concepts. Ability to research and learn state codes and law pertaining to land use, local zoning laws and municipal codes. Participate in preparation of and in attendance of public meetings, including evening meetings. Ability to conduct field surveys, collect and analyze data. Ability to prepare staff reports, to review and analyze development proposals, and to make effective written and oral presentations to the general public. Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines. Ability to establish and to maintain an effective working relationship with City staff, developers, and the citizens of Ames.

Supplemental Information

Selection Process:

The selection process consists of an evaluation of education and experience, a phone interview, Oral Board, and completion of a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check. All candidates will be notified by email of their application status.

E-Verify Process:

The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documents as soon as possible after the job offer has been made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov.

The City of Ames offers a comprehensive benefits package for employees regularly working 20 hours or more per week. Benefits are pro-rated for employees working between 20-39 hours per week.

The benefits available include vacation, sick leave, family sick leave, life insurance and AD&D, health and dental insurance, vision insurance, retirement, long-term disability, tuition reimbursement, and an employee assistance program.

For more detailed overview of all the City of Ames benefits, visit our website by clicking here.

01
Please describe your experience in drafting and/or reviewing long-range planning documents including comprehensive plans, new zoning and/or zoning text amendments, design guidelines, etc. Specifically, indicate your direct involvement and the role you played.
02
List examples of work done in discretionary permit review and processing. Specifically describe the types of permits reviewed and your role in the process.
03
Please describe your interest in working for the City of Ames and what you now of its planning priorities.

Required Question

Agency
City of Ames
Address
515 Clark Ave

Ames, Iowa, 50010
Phone
515-239-5199