Assistant/Associate Planner

The City of Ashland is seeking applications for an Assistant Planner. Employees hired at the Assistant level may advance to Associate Planner after approximately 18 months, based on demonstrated performance in the essential job functions and a formal evaluation. Applicants who already meet the qualifications for the Associate Planner level are also encouraged to apply and may be hired directly into that classification. Placement at the Associate Planner level at the time of hire requires a minimum of two (2) years of professional public-sector planning experience.

 

PURPOSE:  

Performs routine professional activities associated with current planning and planning-related customer service; provides staff support at the public counter in the Community Development Department, answering questions from customers in person and over the phone regarding zoning issues; coordinates the pre-application, planning and permitting aspects of routine current development projects; staffs City advisory commission; performs on-site inspections pertaining to routine permit applications; performs plan checks on building permit applications; and performs other work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:  

The Assistant Planner is the first working level classification in the Planner class series.   Incumbents perform the more routine planning duties in the work unit, with an emphasis on customer (counter) service and providing direction regarding zoning concerns.

This class is distinguished from the higher-level class of Associate Planner, which is the second and full-working level classification where incumbents perform the full range of current planning duties with greater emphasis on conducting site inspections, making presentations to the Planning Commission, and coordinating the pre-application, planning and permitting aspects of complex current development projects.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:  

Receives general supervision from the Planning Manager.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:   

The employee in this classification will not typically have direct supervisory responsibility over subordinate professional employees.

The duties listed below are only intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related and/or a logical assignment to the classification.

Staff the public counter and answer in-person and phone questions regarding general and technical information on planning law, ordinances, and codes; respond to a wide variety of zoning-related inquiries from the public, developers, businesses, and others.

Review and make determinations on zoning permit applications such as those for fences, planning applications, and over-the-counter building permits; conduct site visits as needed; prepare staff reports and do necessary follow up with applicant.

Review and analyze routine development projects for conformance with adopted City plans, design/architectural guidelines and standards, applicable codes and ordinances and other regulations; conduct pre-application conferences and conduct site visits; prepare recommendations to approve such projects.

Respond to calls from the public as well as front office counter questions/complaints regarding potential violations of the Ashland Municipal Code; direct non-land use questions/complaints to appropriate City department.

Conduct field inspections for land use compliance issues based on logged complaints; investigate possible violations; photograph evidence; contact property owners and/or other responsible persons to discuss code compliance problem; compose letters to both complainants and violators describing the violation and the required remedy; perform follow up inspections to ensure that remedial action has been taken; maintain case files and documentation.

Review and either approve or reject routine liquor license and building permit applications based on established criteria; determine whether previously established conditions of approval have been met; sign Certificates of Occupancy as appropriate.

Perform plan checks on building permit applications; communicate with property owners/applicants about permit issues.

Review and make determinations on sign permit applications.

Attend Planning Commission, and/or other commission/committee meetings as assigned; prepare agendas and informational packets; ensure that documents being presented for planning actions are complete; take meeting minutes and post them to the Department website.

Prepare the more routine Planning Commission staff reports.

Perform research and data collection for long range planning activities.

Coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments, outside agencies, and organizations; represent the City at various meetings and events.

Follow all safety rules and procedures established for work areas.

AUXILIARY JOB FUNCTIONS:  

Maintain proficiency by attending training conferences and meetings, reading materials, and meeting with others in areas of responsibility.

Perform other work as assigned.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:  Possession of a bachelor’s degree with major coursework in urban planning, geography, public administration, business administration, or a related field.

Substitution:  Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job proficiently may substitute for the above education requirement.

Desirable Qualifications: Previous planning experience in a municipality is desirable; certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable; familiarity with the specific planning software used by the Department is desirable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

License:  Possession of, or the ability to obtain and retain, an Oregon driver license by the time of appointment.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

Basic principles and practices of urban planning, environmental planning, economics, public administration, and other disciplines related to urban planning.

The Oregon statewide planning process.

Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations.

Current literature, laws, regulations, and developments, as well as various agencies that impact municipal planning activities.

Research methods, report writing techniques, statistical concepts and methods, and principles and techniques of project management.

Common word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.

Ability to:  

Interpret, explain, and apply local, state and federal laws regulating municipal urban planning management.

Conduct meetings with advisory commissions, individuals and/or groups, including developers, contractors, architects, landowners, and the general public.

Read and understand architectural plans.

Work with interested parties to resolve issues relating to planning and policy projects.

Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.

Communicate with the public and staff, occasionally in stressful situations.

Represent the City effectively in consults, counsel, business and professional groups.

Assist and support team performance and work cooperatively with other team members.

Provide positive support to internal and external customers.

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  

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

(1) Mobility: frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional walking, standing, climbing, bending, squatting, pushing, pulling, turning. (2) Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds. (3) Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. (4) Dexterity: frequent use of keyboard; frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; occasional holding, and reaching. (5) Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. (6) Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.