Planner

Job Description:

De Pere is a city of approximately 24,000 located on the Fox River in the Green Bay Metropolitan region.  The community has a reputation for an exceptional quality of life provided by a thriving downtown, great residential neighborhoods, ample recreational opportunities, successful commercial/business areas and community mindedness.   As an employer, the City provides an engaging work environment focused on collaboration and team building.

The Planner II position is an urban planning position responsible for projects and processes that define short term planning, zoning and development goals and objectives for the City.  The Planner II manages the Historic Preservation initiatives and provides staff support to Historic Preservation Commission, collaborates with the Director on long range planning initiatives like the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code, and implements plans to ensure orderly growth. 

Job Duties:

• Ensure development and implementation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the Downtown Master Plan. Recommend updates and maintenance of Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code and other land development regulations.
• Work with Director to develop strategies to promote economic and community development or efficient land use consistent with community goals
• Serve as project manager for development and redevelopment submittals, coordinating the review process from project submittal to building permit.  Review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations.  Identify and resolve critical issues affecting complex building and development permit applications for compliance with City land use regulations.
• Prepare, oversee and implement City sponsored community development and planning projects.  Conduct field investigations for research, compiling data and assessing project conformity with plans. Position acts as a project lead, managing initiatives with a high degree of independence.
• Conduct and facilitate interdepartmental reviews of various development applications including plats, permits, site plans, variance and rezoning requests.  Prepare maps, visuals, drawings, presentations, analyses and project narratives.
• Conduct public hearings related to functions of the Planning Department.  With the Director, serve as staff liaison to the Plan Commission.
• Develop and recommend goals and objectives for the preservation of historic districts and buildings in the City.  Serve as primary contact for historic preservation inquiries and act as staff liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission.
• Collaborate with other government entities, community groups and organizations. 
• Write, or assist in writing, a variety of ordinances and regulations relating to development controls.
• Conduct research to identify sources of funding and grant writing.
• Provide assistance and exemplary customer service as related to answering development and zoning inquiries.
• Revise, write and collaborate on development regulations like the Zoning Ordinance.
• Conduct research in specific or general project areas.  Write and present formal and technical reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of site planning, zoning, subdivision, urban design and land use principles and practices.  Knowledge and understanding of City, County and Regional planning.  Knowledge of the sources of data regarding the environmental, aesthetic, sociological and economic factors of community development.
• Knowledge and skill in interpreting, understanding and analyzing various records including engineering, surveying, architectural, land ownership records and other technical plans, drawings and specification. 
• Considerable skill in communicating effectively with business representatives, elected officials, department heads, the general public, and other City employees.  Skill in collaboration and creative problem solving.  Skill in the operation of equipment needed to effectively perform the duties and responsibilities of the position, including modern office equipment.
• Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, industry professionals, and the public.  Ability to do technical research and comprehensive studies in areas related to community planning.  Ability to interpret codes, guidelines and policies to provide recommendations, collaborate to facilitate private and public development, review and process site plans and development proposals, conduct studies, and neighborhood meetings. Ability to analyze and create reports, produce documents and plans using GIS, Adobe or other applicable software.  Ability to apply professional skills to facilitate the development review process and also work on special projects and in the field.  Ability to prepare and deliver clear and concise oral presentations and written reports that are technical in content, in a manner that is understandable to the general public.  Ability to organize, schedule, and prioritize work and perform with limited direction.  Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.   Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind.  Ability to work independently or collaborate in a team environment as needed.  Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and represent the City in a variety of capacities.  Ability to work the hours of the position including evening meetings.