Senior Planner- Planning and Development- Historic Preservation (Civil Service)

The Senior Planner provides high level senior planning and project management services to develop and implement comprehensive city plans affecting land use, landmark designations, physical facilities, zoning, or transportation issues.

This position will be unique to each Senior Planner Position based upon the Team they are a part of and the Application Alignments Assigned.  Below applies to a member of Historic Preservation.

Historic Preservation:

Under the direction of the Chief Planner (Historic Preservation), this position plays an integral collaborative role in the Historic Preservation unit providing services related to historic districts, historic structures, and potential historic districts and structures. Work plan services include Landmark (historic) Designation, Certificates of Appropriateness (approval forms for work on landmark structures) and administering tax incentive programs within Historic Districts and on individual Historic Structures.
Duties will include maintaining a thorough understanding of historic architectural styles and appropriate treatments, reviewing digital and hard copy construction drawings (utilizing architectural and engineering scales as necessary) including architectural, landscape, and specification sheets to ensure compliance with applicable regulations; identifying historic architectural styles and developing appropriate treatments in conjunction with both applicants and staff; processing work review applications; public outreach and education; and responding to citizen queries. Strong customer service skills, oral/written communication skills, research skills, and interpersonal skills are essential. Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus. Limited visits to the field and occasional after-hours public meetings may be required.

Essential Functions

1 Designs, develops, coordinates, and conducts urban design studies, design guidelines, development proposal and policy analyses affecting land use, physical facilities, zoning, and transportation issues; reviews and comments on development proposals and their impacts on existing land use, physical facilities, zoning, or transportation issues.

2 Prepares mapping and data analysis related to a variety of projects and functions, including long range planning needs, interdepartmental and interagency analytical support, and policy development; develops citywide analysis related to planning, redevelopment, market conditions, and neighborhood assessment and conditions; prepares analysis in a variety of formats suited to a range of audiences, including internal staff and directors, policymakers, community members, and external stakeholders.

3 Drafts prepares and presents design proposals for community development and renewal; provides technical assistance, information, and collaborates with local transit and transportation agencies, local planning agencies, technical work groups, and other planning policy organizations.

4 Applies statistical and planning and design theory, collects data, interprets public policy, and maintains or accesses diverse databases to identify and recommend appropriate urban planning and development actions; strategizes and assists in the preparation and implementation of the City-wide Comprehensive Plan.

5 Confers with the public, local authorities and city council members to discuss and recommend preliminary planning and design measures; responds to requests for information from citizens, board and commission members, and other City staff; develops various innovative outreach materials on various topics for community engagement.

6 Manages and coordinates projects between various departments and divisions to ensure timely and correct responses; engages and communicates with neighborhood groups, stakeholders, steering committees, City Council, and other agencies to present documents, charts, graphs, maps, and case reports for planning and development purposes.

7 Listens to Council initiatives and decisions, reviews best practices from other cities, and remains informed about development and urban planning law and trends; engages with other planners and affected staff, researches potential effects on current and future development patterns and determines appropriate zoning and development standards for areas subject to the authorized hearing based on land use regulations, urban planning best practices, area plans, Market Value Analysis, and vision documents.

8 Participates and leads in implementing various special projects throughout the year; develops strong community engagement projects and drafts graphic or informational items while supporting the Comprehensive Planning initiatives.

9 Solves complex problems in connection with the planning of small to large scale urban design, transportation, land use, or other planning activities; provides leadership and technical expertise to identify planning issues and concerns, make appropriate recommendations, and implement resolutions benefitting the City and its Comprehensive plan.

10 Performs any and all other work as needed or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1 Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply principles, methods, and techniques of urban planning.

2 Knowledge of City development and building codes.

3 Knowledge of marketing and community outreach.

4 Knowledge of design systems and software.

5 Ability to interact with the public, homeowners, business owners, regulatory agencies, various organizations, and peers in a positive manner.

6 Ability to analyze, evaluate, and research the impact of future developments upon neighborhood and city growth.

7 Ability to effectively manage multiple projects.

8 Ability to make presentations to various groups.

9 Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

10 Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

11 Architectural plan review skills

12 Strong analytical skills

13 MS Office or similar software skills

14 Effective oral/written communication skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: 

• Master’s degree in a Planning, Urban Studies/Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science, History, Historic Preservation, Architectural History, Sociology, Geography, Engineering, or related field.

EXPERIENCE: 

• Two (2) years of professional level experience in historic preservation, conservation, architectural history, planning, urban design, architecture, or landscape architecture.

EQUIVALENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in a specified field plus four (4) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in a non-specified field plus six (6) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements. 

LICENSE:  

• Valid driver’s license with good driving record.

PREFERENCES:  

• Knowledge of historic architectural styles is strongly recommended.

• Ability to meet the Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Architectural History.