Senior Planner

Under the guidance of the Director of Development Services assists in administering zoning, land development and special projects under limited supervision. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.  Note: All City of Fort Smith positions require the employee to provide good customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees, and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive.

1. Prepare and update ordinances, support material and staff reports.
2. Prepare Planning Commission agendas and information packets.
3. Present or recommend plans involving the above issues to the public, planning commission, staff and Board of Directors.
4. Manage the development process for developers, engineers, architects, and the public to interpret and assist them on zoning, subdivision and other developmental activities.
5. Manage the subdivision administration process which includes meeting with franchise utilities, other city departments, engineers, planning commission and applicants to review subdivision plats; analyze and review the plats for zoning compliance; coordinate and insure all documents are complete and proper; file the plats with the County.
6. Manage street and easement closings and temporary revocable license applications, coordinate requests with franchise utilities and city departments, prepare related memorandums and maps for information to be presented to senior management and the board of directors.
7. Manage and assist on special projects as required (e.g. historic preservation projects, Good Neighbors Program, manage consultants, work with other governmental agencies, manage annexations, etc.)
8. Develop project budgets, administers bidding process, verifies contract expenditures and compliance; manage projects with limited supervision.
9. Provide direction, training and assistance to Planner II, Planner I, and clerical staff.
10. Assume the duties of the Director of Development Services when required.
11. Represent the Development Services Department at city meetings. (e.g. Central Business Improvement District, Future Fort Smith Committee, Historic District Commission, Planning Commission, Board of Directors, etc)
12. Manages complex planning studies, development applications and reviews consultant proposals
13. Assist the Director of Development Services with the budgeting process.
14. Review business registration and Planning Commission applications for compliance with the Unified Development Ordinance and other city ordinances.
15. Work hours other than normal business hours due to peak and fluctuating periods in work load.
16. Perform all related responsibilities as required or assigned.
17. Regular attendance and timeliness is required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Carries out limited supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the city’s policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in City Planning, public administration, architecture or other relevant field with 2 – 3 years experience.
• High School Degree with requisite experience of 7-8 years will be considered.
• AICP certification is preferred but not mandatory.   
• Considerable knowledge of technical, supervisory and administrative work in the areas of urban planning, zoning, subdivision regulation and historic district planning is required.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

The incumbent should possess knowledge of computer systems and associated software.  The incumbent must have excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as good organization skills.  Problem solving, and analytical ability are required to perform the duties of this position.  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also required.  The incumbent should have knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and equipment. The incumbent must have creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well-defined planning problems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee must frequently sit, stand, walk, talk and hear; use hands to handle objects, and reach with hands and arms.  The incumbent must also stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, distance and peripheral vision.  Depth perception and the ability to adjust focus are also necessary.

The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is exposed to outside weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.