Assistant Planner

Job Title: Assistant Planner                                            FLSA: Salary/Exempt

Department: Planning & Development                                Reports to: Director of Planning 

Salary Range: $52,480-$60,480

This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).​

General Purpose:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Planning & Development, this position is intended for a highly motivated, customer service oriented individual to work in current planning and development review. The Assistant Planner will conduct special projects and research as assigned, and prepare reports and recommendations relative to assigned area of responsibility. This position is responsible for projects of moderate difficulty and are expected to direct them to completion with limited supervision.

Essential Functions:

• Assists with the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan as it relates to current development projects.
• Receives and processes applications for lot splits, lot combinations, sign permits, platting, rezoning, variances, and special exceptions; meets with applicants and reviews applications for accuracy and completeness; assists the applicant with the application as needed; explains the procedures of the applicable administrative process.
• Develops ordinance amendments, as needed.
• Conducts preliminary development plan review under the supervision of the Director of Planning.
• Implements special projects at the discretion of the Director of Planning.
• Prepares and presents professional staff reports of summarized data, conclusions, and recommendations to the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, City Council, and other groups as needed.
• Confers with developers, building designers, contractors, architects, and the general public on planning and zoning related matters; interprets planning policies, state laws, and local ordinances; explains department procedures and the development cycle.
• Performs field investigations to ensure projects conform to zoning codes, regulations and/or approved plans; performs design conformance plan checks; assists permit applicants to satisfy the conditions of permit approval.
• Conducts technical review/analysis of preliminary and final subdivision plats, development site plans, and construction plans for compliance with City development policies, and design guidelines.
• Conducts design reviews of site plans, building architectural plans, landscape plans, and signage.
• Works with other departments and governmental agencies providing data or research in areas such as land-use, codes and locating sites for future development.
• Helps organize public engagement events, design charrettes, and community workshops.
• Perform site analysis and design concept development including digital and/or hand-illustrated deliverables suitable to communicate design intent to city staff and city council.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Knowledge:
  • General working knowledge of all GIS Mapping principles, practices and methods as applicable to a municipal setting; thorough knowledge of applicable City policies, laws, and regulations affecting Division activities.
  • Knowledge of urban planning principles and practices, laws, ordinances, rules and regulations; and pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Abilities:
  • Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with employees, consultants, other governmental agency representatives, City officials and the general public.
  • Ability to conduct necessary research and compile comprehensive reports;
  • Ability to present and summarize facts, ideas and recommendations to staff, Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, City Council, and other official groups, as needed.
  • Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
  • Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed.
  • Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind.
  • Ability to become a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) within 18 months from the date of hire.
  • Ability to become Congress for the New Urbanism-Accredited (CNU-A) within 18 months from the date of hire.
• Skills:
  • Considerable skill in data research, zoning compliance, and/or complex projects.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in city, regional, or urban planning, urban design, architecture, public administration or a related field; and
• One (1) year of relevant work experience; and
• Must possess a valid Oklahoma State driver's license or have the ability to obtain one prior to employment.
• Must be insurable with City’s insurance carrier.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in city, regional, or urban planning, urban design, architecture, public administration or a related field; and
• Two (2) years of relevant work experience.

Tools and Equipment:

Personal computer, including word processing, computer-aided design software (AutoCAD Civil 3D and SketchUp), spreadsheet, and database, as well as a motor vehicle, phone, radio, fax and copy machine.

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.

Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments, construction sites, or public works facilities. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

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 job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.