Purpose of Job

The planning section of the planning & codes department is engaged in effective land use planning for the future orderly growth and development of Brentwood.  The purpose of this job is to provide advanced level professional planning expertise and guidance on both current and long-range planning projects.  Duties and responsibilities include supervision of assigned planning and geographic information systems staff members.  Principal duties include public meeting coordination, advanced research and reporting, management of development security instruments, and coordination of consultant services on issues affecting the department. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this job.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

Coordinates the activities of assigned planning staff members on current and long range planning projects.

Coordinates the activities of the geographic information systems technician(s) to fulfill related daily and long-range needs of various City departments and the general public.

Coordinates and conducts monthly planning commission rezoning/site plan/plat reviews for conformance with City codes and sound land use planning practices.

Coordinates and conducts research and reporting activities on complex planning and code enforcement issues affecting the City and provides related written recommendations and/or draft ordinances.

Manages and reports on various security instruments applied to the entire range of development and improvement projects within the City.

Provides oversight and direction to various planning and engineering consultants addressing land use and codes issues.

Coordinates and directs public meetings as needed; makes presentations related to planning and codes issues at both formal and informal community meetings.

Coordinates, prepares, and updates documentation and reporting related to on-going annexation actions by the City; performs related public functions.

Interprets detailed zoning and subdivision regulations for application to specific questions or applications before the department; provides site design assistance on related matters, as requested.

Interprets floodplain maps and makes formal floodplain determinations for the public at large.

Prepares complex reporting and statistical trend studies with corresponding projections.

Develops recommendations on planning/code/development issues before the City; prepares preliminary documentation to update or develop new regulations.

Attends planning commission and board of zoning appeals meetings on a regular basis; prepares and distributes related agendas and support materials; prepares meeting rooms and exhibits.

Represents the planning or codes sections as liaison with other City departments or inter-governmental agencies; reports on related news and developments to the planning & codes director.

Receives and reviews land use applications and related documentation/plans; coordinates staff and planning commission reviews for compliance with City codes.

Administers the sign and home occupation regulations, including processing applications, reviewing proposals, issuing permits, maintaining records, providing recommendations for code amendments, and generally enforcing all related regulations.

Coordinates the issuance of special event permits with affected City departments, following related City codes and administrative guidelines; performs all related duties.

Conducts site inspections for conformance with approved plans and City codes.

Performs various research duties, tracking development, demographic, land use, and other related planning and codes issues for the City.

Applies knowledge of various computer software systems in an effective and efficient manner to fulfill a range of basic correspondence, filing, record-keeping and reporting functions of the department.

Assists in general code enforcement activities for the City, including public contact, letter preparation, field research, and associated telephone contacts.

Maintains inventory of departmental documents/maps for public sale and distribution.

Coordinates the dissemination of information on street addresses to city staff, public utilities, and the public at large.

Receives and distributes in-coming mail and other communications; prepares outgoing mail and communications for efficient distribution.

Receives and responds in an efficient manner to all walk-in, telephone and electronic mail contacts from City staff and the public at large; initiates problem resolution.  Responds to routine requests for information.

Receives monetary payment in association with permit filings and processing; issues receipts and forwards materials as appropriate.

Performs basic office support functions when needed, including reception, telephone contact, and routing of contacts to appropriate departmental staff members.

Additional Job Functions

Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions 

Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering or related field required, with three to five years of technical and administrative experience involving municipal engineering, and/or planning and development regulations (or related); or a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering or related field, and two years of experience involving municipal engineering and/or planning and development regulations (or related).  Requires a valid driver’s license.

(ADA) Minimum Qualifications or Standards Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Physical Requirements:  Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated machines and equipment which includes a motor vehicle, computer, printer, facsimile machine, copy machine, calculator, telephone, plan copier/scanner, drafting tools, engineer/architect scales, etc.  Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials.  Must be able to exert up to twenty pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to ten pounds of force frequently.  Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for sedentary work. 

Data Conception:  Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, technical, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.

Interpersonal Communication:  Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange administrative/technical/engineering information.  Includes giving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants.

Language Ability:  Requires the ability to read and comprehend a variety of informational documentation, professional jargon, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures related to the job of City Planner.  Requires the ability to write reports using professional planning knowledge with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.  Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and a well-modulated voice.

Intelligence:  Requires the ability to learn and understand basic to complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to the job of City Planner.

Verbal Aptitude:  Requires the ability to record and deliver information to supervisors and officials in traditional and computer formats; to explain procedures and policies; and to follow verbal and written instructions, guidelines and objectives.

Numerical Aptitude:  Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; determine percentages; determine time and weight; and utilize statistical inference.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:  Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually and with office equipment.

Motor Coordination:  Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office equipment.

Manual Dexterity:  Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc.  Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.  Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination:  Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament:  Requires the ability to deal with people (i.e. staff, supervisors, general public, and officials) beyond giving and receiving instructions, such as interpreting departmental policies and procedures for specific application.  Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency related to the job of City Planner. 

Physical Communication:  Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking – expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing – perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Knowledge of Job

Has considerable knowledge of the traditional land use planning techniques and practices, including zoning, subdivision, and comprehensive/long-range planning processes as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the job of City Planner.  Has considerable knowledge of planning department practices and procedures as necessary for the completion of daily responsibilities.  Knows how to develop and administer ongoing operations and staff projects for the expedience and effectiveness of specific duties of the department.  Can keep abreast of any changes in policy, professional practices, computer applications, equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.  Is able to effectively and positively communicate and interact with supervisors, members of the general public, elected and appointed officials, and all other groups affected by or involved in the activities of the department.  Is able to assemble information and produce written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner using computer medium.  Has good organizational, human relations, and technical skills.  Is able to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision when necessary.  Has the ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.  Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the profession and the department.  Has the mathematical ability to perform required calculations.  Is knowledgeable and proficient with computers.  Is able to read, understand and interpret financial documents, reports, and related materials.

The City of Brentwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.  Signatures below indicate the receipt and review of this job description by the employee assigned to the job and the immediate supervisor.