Associate Planner Specialist

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Class Title

Associate Planner Specialist

Class Code

5987

Salary

$96,179.20 - $116,916.80 Annually

+ Definition

+ Benefits

Classification Description Summary

Under direction, performs professional and technical planning work involving the gathering, analysis and presentation of data in written, graphic or oral reports; makes presentations before various governing bodies, neighborhood groups and the public; and provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to higher level planning staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full journey level class within the professional Planner series. Employees within this class perform the full range of duties as assigned. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Planner in that the latter provides lead supervision and training over lower level planning staff.

Essential Functions

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Perform analysis of development trends using a variety of data collection methods; draft maps and other graphic information displaying relevant development information regarding general landscape requirements for the City Council, Planning Commission and other advisory bodies. Specializing in professional and technical work involving landscape architecture, development of land areas reviewing current and future commercial, residential, and industrial projects within the City of Reno.

Evaluate the Citys facilities, programs and policies for compliance local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations; recommend changes to City programs and policies; identify impacts on the City. Coordination with other departments within the Development Services review team as well as Parks and Recreation, and the Urban Foresty Division.

Develop and maintain a database of statistical information essential to the development of planning-related studies and policies in the City; assist in the development of the Citys Geographic Information System; update the Citys Land Use Inventory database including changes in land use, zoning, Master Plan, parcel changes, new construction and subdivision development.

Review proposed state legislation for possible fiscal and/or operational impacts on the City; provide comments, recommend possible changes and make recommendations regarding the Citys position on each bill. Provide bonding approval for project cost estimates as they relate to restoration, landscaping and revegetation; obtain the necessary cost estimates and evaluate completed work; provide bond release inspections.

Make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council regarding Regional Plan amendment requests; represent the City as the applicant at public hearings. Advise the City Council, Planning Commission and other advisory bodies on the suitability of various landscape designs and landscaping ordinances.

In conjunction with County planning officials, develop a master plan for multi-jurisdictional areas including land use, sphere of influence boundaries, environmentally sensitive areas, sewer, water, transportation and other major public facilities; prepare updates to master plan land use and policies. Reviews plans and specifications regarding private trees and landscaping best practices

Prepare annual reports detailing the activities of the City Planning Commission and actions of the City as they relate to the regional plan. Provide training and assistance for internal and external customers within the development community.

Develop efficient organizational administrative procedures for implementation of new policy and code; work with various City management staff to implement new procedures.

Represent the City at Neighborhood Advisory Board, Regional Planning Commission, and other meetings; prepare annual reports detailing activities of the Planning Commission as they relate to the regional plan.

Review building permits; identify parcel and zoning information and confirm established development standards.

Occasionally conduct field investigations of proposed development or land use to ensure compliance with code requirements.

May be assigned to assist developers, the general public, and other stakeholders with walk-in and telephone inquiries regarding land development and zoning policies and procedures.

Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of landscaping and planning.

Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of :

Operations, services, and activities of a community planning and development program specializing in professional and technical work involving landscape architecture

Modern principles, practices, and techniques of planning including land use, environmental policy analysis, natural resource management, municipal service delivery, physical design, landscape architecture, demographics, and economic and social concepts as applied to municipal planning, general practices of landscaping and irrigation systems.

Development review procedures and requirements.

Site planning, landscape architectural and architectural styles, terms and design principles.

Recent developments, current literature, research methods, and sources of information related to municipal planning, urban growth, and development within the field of landscaping

Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.

Statistical methods and research techniques, data analysis and it application to landscape planning studies.

Methods and techniques of eliciting community participation in planning and development issues.

Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.

Principles and practices of landscape architectural planning and design, grading, erosion control, soil preparation and design of planting plans

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws underlying general plans, zoning and land divisions, and applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Ability to:

Perform professional level planning duties in the development, implementation, and modification of City plans and regulations.

Comprehend and interpret land use laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances applied to land use planning, landscape designs and landscaping ordinances.

Develop, interpret, and promote complex population and land use modeling.

Explain complex mathematical and planning data to the general public and present recommendations to discretionary bodies.

Develop and discuss statistical methodology and recommend landscaping best practices.

Interpret and explain City landscape planning policies and procedures.

Apply policies, procedures, and standards pertaining to the municipal planning process.

Interpret maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs and statistical data.

Interpret, analyze, apply, implement, and explain pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including City codes and departmental policies and administrative directives.

Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.

Analyze and compile statistical and technical information

Develop recommendations regarding the use of property.

Make sound recommendations regarding urban and community planning activities.

Review proposed state legislation for possible fiscal and/or operational impacts on the City.

Analyze projects and potential projects for consistency with planning regulations, general planning principles, and architectural quality.

Prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence.

Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, council members, committee and commission members, and the general public.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting software applications.

Work in a team based environment to achieve common goals.

Coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks simultaneously.

Meet the physical requirements to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

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

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training :

A Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in landscape architecture, urban/regional planning, or a related field.

Experience :

Two years of increasingly responsible urban planning experience at a level comparable to an Assistant Planner. Two or more years of increasingly responsible landscape architecture experience is desirable.

License or Certificate :

Possession of an appropriate, valid drivers license.

Possession of registration as a professional Landscape Architect is desirable.

Possession of AICP certification from the American Planning Association is desirable.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein 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 job functions.

Environment : Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with some travel from site to site and exposure to an outdoor field environment.

Physical : Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate a motorized vehicle; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Other Requirements

RAPG Pro

R30

Last Update: 2/2023

JD 2/2023

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