Senior Zoning Planner
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Description
The City of Bloomington has an exciting job opportunity as a Senior Zoning Planner. We invite diverse talent to join our team and help advance our mission focusing on economic vitality, attainable housing, public safety, progress partnerships, inclusion, open government, sustainability, transportation, and quality of place. Come join us and be part of shaping the vibrant future of Bloomington, Indiana.
The City is currently in the process of implementing a new salary structure. Depending on the progress of this implementation, the salary offered to the selected candidate may be higher than the amount currently posted. However, the candidate will not be offered a salary lower than the posted amount for this position.
Duties
This job description is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all job functions performed. The following are essential duties for this position, performed with or without reasonable accommodation:
Essential (primary)
Under direction of the Development Services Manager, coordinates current planning and development review performed by the Zoning Planner, Zoning Planner & GIS Analyst, and Zoning and Long-Range Planner. Serves as the first level of guidance in instances where subordinate staff require assistance or interpretation on codes and policies.
As lead staff for the Department’s Planner-On-Duty (POD) cohort, leads the Zoning Planner, Zoning and Long-Range Planner, and Zoning Planner & GIS Analyst in consulting with adjacent property owners, development professionals, advocacy groups, neighborhood organizations and other interested parties regarding development and zoning matters. Provides initial and ongoing training and daily guidance and assistance to this cohort in their duties.
Regularly meets with the general public to field questions and explain regulations and recommendations and to facilitate compliance with established rules and policies through role as a regular POD. Responds to citizen inquiries regarding zoning map designations and zoning regulations.
Prepares reports for and regularly attends Common Council, Plan Commission, Plat Committee, Board of Zoning Appeals and Hearing Officer meetings, making presentations as required. Ensures that all requirements are met for scheduled cases. Additionally ensures that amendments to petitions and conditions of approval are reflected in the approval record.
Leads Department UDO amendment process by tracking, researching, and coordinating with staff and development professionals. Serves as primary point of contact and primary writer for all UDO amendments.
Reviews building permit, land use, and sign permit applications, verifying compliance with the UDO and other applicable regulations, and recommending corrective action in case of non-compliance.
Performs Site Development Permit review on primary petitions, and provides secondary review on others.
Conducts site plan reviews, performs on-site inspections, and researches applicable ordinances and development histories to assure proposed development compliance with approved plans, the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), and other pertinent development regulations and policies.
Reviews subdivision plats submitted for primary and secondary approval, coordinates that review with the Development Review Committee and relevant City staff, and reports findings to the Plan Commission and Plat Committee for action.
Represents the Department on the inter-agency Addressing Committee.
Assists the Long-Range division in the development and preparation of amendments to the comprehensive plan, subarea and neighborhood plans.
Non-Essential (secondary)
Participates in continuing education and professional development opportunities through attending conferences, workshops, seminars and other events as appropriate.
Occasionally testifies in court on matters pertaining to the decisions of the Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.
Provides Planning expertise at Historic Preservation Commission hearings.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
Minimum knowledge equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Environmental Affairs, or related field. Master’s degree in Planning or related field preferred.
Minimum experience equivalent to three years planning, writing, and presenting on current planning, zoning codes, or a related field, required.
Knowledge of planning and zoning principles, practices, and procedures, including best practices and emerging trends. Ability to interpret and apply various laws, regulations, guidelines, and codes as they relate to development review and zoning matters. Ability to read and interpret zoning, topographic, and geologic maps and photographs; construction plan sets; legal descriptions; related technical planning information; and various local, state and federal land use regulations.
Knowledge of ESRI-based Geographic Information Systems programs, and knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet analysis and database management, including the Microsoft and Google office suites, and Adobe packages.
Knowledge of civil engineering, architecture, landscaping, and grant management principles.
Membership in American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred.
Membership with the American Planning Association and other professional associations is encouraged.
Ability to legally operate a motor vehicle.
Difficulty of Work and Personal Work Relationship
Difficulty of Work
Incumbent regularly performs additional work hours due to evening public hearings. Must provide timely, accurate information to development professionals, property owners, and citizens in a fast-paced, stressful environment. A high level of analytical skill is critical in performing site plan review, on-site evaluations, and GIS applications. Independent judgment is required in adapting various rules, regulations, and customary practices of the Department to perform a variety of planning and development tasks. In addition, professional judgment is regularly required in reacting to situations which involve a weighting of various factors or which involve unusual issues, as well as in guiding subordinate staff in difficult situations. Incumbent regularly interacts with people exhibiting heightened levels of frustration, anger or agitation, and often applies conflict resolution techniques.
As the primary staff person involved in crafting UDO amendments, incumbent must also navigate and mediate often competing interests from a wide variety of stakeholders.
Personal Work Relationships
Incumbent maintains close relationships with superiors and co-workers within the Planning and Transportation Department, Engineering Department, Legal Department, Housing and Neighborhood Development Department, Parks & Recreation Department; council, commission and board members; representatives from local agencies; the development community and the general public for the purpose of giving and receiving factual information about policies and regulations related to the Department and Plan Commission. Incumbent needs the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on a variety of complex subjects with a diverse assortment of groups and individuals, including subordinate staff, local officials, development professionals, and members of the general public. This includes the ability to write effective reports and memoranda and deliver effective formal public presentations.
An Equal Opportunity Employer, La Egualdad De Oportunidades De Empleo Es La Ley. The City of Bloomington does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
The City of Bloomington validates authorization to work using E-Verify, which provides the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee’s I-9 form to confirm work authorization.
Employer
City of Bloomington, Indiana
Address
401 North Morton Street
Bloomington, Indiana, 47404
Phone
812-349-3404
Website