Senior Planner



Senior Planner

Salary

$57,488.08 - $80,484.04 Annually

Location

City of Yuma, AZ

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2015-00091

Department

Community Development

Division

Community Planning-Case Review

Opening Date

01/08/2016

Closing Date

11/10/2016 4:00 PM Arizona

FLSA

Exempt

Summary

We are currently seeking candidates with U.S. city planning experience in case review/current planning.

**If this recruitment fails to render a candidate that meets the minimum qualifications, we will under fill the position as an Associate Planner**

***The hiring range for this position will be between $57,488 - $68,986 depending on qualifications***

Additional Benefits available:

• Moving Allowance negotiable.

• Longevity Bonus of 1% of mid-point paid according to our City Administrative Regulation at 3 years.


Under basic supervision, interprets and updates the City General Plan, using knowledge of urban planning and growth management theory, public policy, and land use law; performs experienced technical planning, research, data analysis, and report writing duties for the Department of Community Development (DCD).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Conducts detailed reference research, case reviews, and site visits for current and long-range planning projects, including annexation and General Plan amendment cases.
  • Uses extensive knowledge of urban planning, community development, land use, and permitting rules and regulations to perform experienced technical planning work for complex projects.
  • Completes plan review checks for site plans, subdivision plats, and inspections; conducts site inspections to verify projects are in compliance with regulations, codes, and DCD standards.
  • Performs research, compiles data, reviews case files, and writes reports for review by DCD staff and City commissions and committees; prepares and presents assigned planning and zoning cases and issues.
  • Reviews planning drawings and technical documents, and reviews applications for planning actions to be heard by City Council and commissions.
  • Drafts updates to General Plan; processes plan amendments, conducts research, and prepares and presents recommendations to City Council and commissions.
  • Assists the public with inquiries and problems in submitting applications for development plans, proposed zoning changes, variances, conditional use permits, text amendments, subdivision plats, and General Plan amendments; explains and interprets DCD programs, zoning codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Facilitates pre-development meetings to review and discuss project proposals; coordinates meetings with staff from other City departments, and public meetings for neighborhood residents.
  • Assists other City departments with project planning.
  • Supports the relationship between the City of Yuma and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
  • Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines
Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, or Public Administration; AND three years municipal planning experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge of:

  • City policies and procedures.
  • Federal and state regulations, and City codes and ordinances governing planning and development, including special historic district and building safety regulations.
  • Principles of urban planning, community development, land use, and permitting.
  • Project planning and management principles.
  • Research techniques and resources for regional land use trends and regulations.
  • Personal computers utilizing standard and specialized software, including GIS software applications.
  • Record keeping and file maintenance principles and procedures.
  • Customer service methods and techniques.

Skill in:

  • Researching and analyzing the factors and components affecting community planning projects.
  • Interpreting and applying building and safety standards, state and Federal regulations, and City land use and zoning regulations, codes and policies.
  • Presenting and defending planning reports and DCD issues in public meetings.
  • Checking designs, details, estimates, plans, and specifications of planning projects.
  • Collecting, organizing, analyzing, and presenting data and information.
  • Maintaining accurate and interrelated technical records.
  • Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
  • Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required.  Professional certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred. 
 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a standard office environment. May occasionally be required to bend, reach, stoop, and lift objects.
 

The City of Yuma offers the following benefits to Full-time City employees:

*ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ASRS) - City employees are automatically enrolled in the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute 12.22% (pre-tax) and the City contributes 12.22% of employee gross wages through automatic deduction. Should an employee terminate City employment, the ASRS funds may be withdrawn or remain until retirement.  Contributions to the ASRS are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).

*LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD) - Included through the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute .19% and the City contributes .19% of employee gross wages. LTD contributions are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).

*SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE - Employees pay a contribution  into the Social Security & Medicare System.

*WORKER'S COMP. - Insurance coverage for medical expenses and loss of income due to an on-the-job injury is provided by the City of Yuma for all employees.
 
*UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE - Employees are covered by Unemployment Insurance.

*MEDICAL, DENTAL, and VISION INSURANCE - The City of Yuma is proud to provide medical, dental and vision insurance for its employees which is administered by the Yuma Area Benefit Consortium.  Employees may choose from two traditional PPO plans or a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account. Dependent premiums are paid one month in advance and are pre-taxed (unless waived).  Additional information regarding medical, dental and vision benefits may be requested from the City's Human Resources Department.
 
*LIFE INSURANCE - The City provides a life insurance policy for employees in an amount that is equal to your annual salary. An Accidental Death and Dismemberment rider is also included for an equal amount. Employees may elect, at their cost, additional life insurance for up to 5X their annual salary. Various voluntary insurance policies are available at your cost and may be set up as an automatic payroll deduction. Information is available from the City's Human Resources Department.

*FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - The plan establishes a reimbursement account, which is designed to provide you with a means of paying for certain medical, dental, vision, and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. The amount you designate is subtracted from your earnings before taxes and is deposited in your flexible spending account. As a new employee you have 30 days from your hire date to enroll.

*EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - Provides free counseling sessions for employees and family members, as well as a 24-hour crisis line for emergencies.

*COMPENSATORY LEAVE (COMP. TIME) - Paid leave that an employee has elected to accrue in lieu of overtime payment.

*GENERAL LEAVE - This leave is available for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. General Leave is paid leave for an employee's personal time off. General Leave can normally be used 90 days after your hire date. General Leave accrual varies by the employee's years of service and employment status.
 

  • 0 to 5 years =  6.14 hours per pay day or 153.5 hours annually
  • 5 to 10 years = 7.74 hours per pay day or  193.5 hours annually
  • 10 to 15 years = 8.06 hours per pay day or 201.5 hours annually
  • 15 to 20 years = 8.7 hours per pay day or 217.5 hours annually
  • 20+ years = 9.34 hours per pay day or 233.5 hours annually

*SICK LEAVE -  Employees are eligible to utilize paid sick leave immediately following 90 calendar days from their date of hire.  July 1 of each year, employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank. New employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank on their date of hire.

*HOLIDAYS - The City recognizes 12 holidays per year. Holiday pay is at eight hours per holiday.
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
  • President's Day (third Monday in February)
  • Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day (First Monday in September)
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Day After Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day
  • Additional Day in conjunction with Christmas

*DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may participate in a tax-sheltered Annuity Plan (457 Plan) through payroll deduction to provide additional retirement income.
 
*SMOKE-FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT - The City prohibits smoking in, and within a reasonable distance of, all buildings used by the City for the conduct of City business or buildings or facilities used or occupied as workspace by City employees. This includes City owned and operated vehicles. This policy applies to all City employees, volunteers, citizens, and other persons entering or using City owned or operated facilities and/or vehicles.

01
By marking "Yes", I understand that my answers to the supplemental questions must be verifiable in the education and/or work history section of my job application.
  • Yes
  • No
02
For further consideration, you MUST complete the Work Experience section of the application and attach a detailed resume. Failure to do so will result in your application being removed from further consideration. It is not acceptable to answer any part of the application or this supplemental questionnaire with "See Resume".
  • I agree and have completed the application and attached a detailed resume.
03
Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, or Public Administration?
  • Yes
  • No
04
What is your highest level of education?
  • High School or GED
  • Associates Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • Doctorate
  • Other
05
Please list the field your degree is in.
06
Do you have three (3) years of municipal planning experience?
  • Yes
  • No
07
If you answered "No" to the question above, do you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience, to perform this work? If you answered "Yes" please enter "N/A".
  • Yes
  • No
  • N/A
08
If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please explain how your education, training and experience provides you with the abilities to perform this work.
09
Do you possess a valid Driver's License? (An Arizona Driver's License will be required at the time of hire)
  • Yes
  • No
10
Do you possess a Professional certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Agency
City of Yuma
Address
One City Plaza

Yuma, Arizona, 85364-1436
Phone
(928) 373-5125