City of McDonough, Georgia
Title: Planner, Sr.
General Description
The employee in this position performs advanced professional planning and zoning work as the department's senior-level planning professional. Responsibilities include current and long-range planning, development review, zoning administration, implementation of the City's Comprehensive Plan and other adopted plans and policies, management of complex development applications, preparation of ordinance amendments and policy recommendations, and providing technical expertise on land use, zoning, and community development matters. The position works collaboratively with developers, consultants, citizens, City departments, appointed boards, and elected officials to support high-quality development and implementation of the City's planning initiatives. The position exercises considerable independent judgment in interpreting and applying planning principles, ordinances, and regulations.
interpreting and applying planning principles, ordinances, and regulations.
Duties and Responsibilities
The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.
- Reviews and evaluates complex development applications, including rezonings, annexations, conditional use permits, variances, text amendments, subdivisions, site plans, and other land development proposals for compliance with applicable regulations.
- Interprets and applies the Zoning Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, design standards, and other applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
- Reviews commercial and residential building permits, site development plans, and zoning verification requests for compliance with zoning regulations.
- Conducts research and prepares written zoning interpretations, development analyses, and policy recommendations.
- Coordinates interdepartmental review of development applications and ensures timely processing.
- Leads and participates in implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, small area plans/studies, redevelopment initiatives, and other planning projects.
- Researches planning trends and best practices and recommends ordinance amendments and policy improvements.
- Assists with preparation and updates of the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, development regulations, and related planning documents.
- Performs demographic, land use, housing, and transportation analyses to support planning initiatives.
- Provides technical assistance to property owners, developers, businesses, elected officials, attorneys, and the public regarding planning, zoning, development regulations, and land use issues.
- Meets with applicants during pre-application conferences to discuss development requirements and review procedures.
- Responds to complex customer inquiries and resolves planning and zoning issues through interpretation of applicable ordinances.
- Prepares comprehensive staff reports and recommendations for the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, City Council, and other boards as assigned.
- Presents staff recommendations during public hearings and meetings.
- Coordinates required public notifications, legal advertisements, public hearing signage, and meeting materials in accordance with state law and City procedures.
- Assists with preparation of departmental reports, planning studies, correspondence, and presentations.
- Maintains planning records, maps, databases, and departmental files.
- Provides technical guidance and support on complex zoning and development issues.
- Represents the department on internal committees and external organizations as assigned.
- Attends evening meetings as required.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of principles and practices of urban and regional planning.
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal government programs and processes.
- Knowledge of the social and environmental impact of planning decisions on communities.
- Knowledge of the interaction among the economy, transportation, health and human services, and land-use regulation.
- Knowledge of the legal foundation for land use regulations.
- Skills in the use of computer and software applications, including Microsoft Office Suite, photo editing programs including Adobe Photoshop, graphics manipulation programs including Adobe Illustrator, SketchUp, geographic and information systems such as ARC Info, with the ability to conduct analyses and to produce materials of the highest quality.
- Skills in the use of modern office practices, methods, equipment, and standard administrative functions and procedures.
- Ability to learn methods, techniques, and equipment as applied to city planning, urban design, transportation planning and growth management generally.
- Ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
- Ability to learn and assess emerging principles and practices in city planning, urban design, and zoning administration.
- Ability to perform research, including reading, interpreting, and analyzing maps and plats; compile and organize planning information.
- Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and maintain accurate records and departmental files and manage strict confidentiality as applicable.
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and orally.
- Ability to interpret and follow oral and written instructions quickly and accurately.
- Ability to work independently with specific instructions and with minimum supervision.
- Ability to meet and interact tactfully and courteously with the public and remain composed when addressing difficult situations, either in person, telephone and/or email.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees, elected officials, business owners, builders, contractors, and the general public.
- Ability to conduct field inspections for compliance with applicable ordinances.
- Ability to operate city vehicles and equipment safely and efficiently in the performance of duties and to maintain all required licenses and certifications.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in City and Regional Planning, Urban Studies, Geography, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, or a closely related field.
Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, including land use planning, zoning administration, transportation planning, and land development, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Possession of a valid Georgia driver's license (Class C), satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR), and acceptable criminal history.
ADA Compliance
Physical Ability: The position requires the ability to perform light physical activities, including standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and traversing uneven terrain during field visits. The employee must occasionally lift, carry, push, and/or pull objects weighing up to 25 pounds. The position also requires sufficient manual dexterity, mental acuity, and verbal communication to perform the essential functions of the job.
Sensory Requirements: The position requires the ability to perceive and distinguish colors, sounds, and visual cues; communicate effectively in person and by telephone; and maintain close visual acuity for reading, reviewing, analyzing, and preparing technical documents, maps, plans, reports, and computer-based information.
Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed in an indoor office environment with occasional work outdoors, which include field visits, tours, facility inspections, and work-related travel activities. Work exposes incumbent to conditions such as fumes, noxious odors, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation; work exposes incumbent to possible bodily injury from moving mechanical parts of equipment, tools, or machinery; work is performed for sustained periods outdoors and occasionally in hot, cold, or inclement weather; and work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, and gloves.
The City of McDonough, Georgia, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
ADA Compliance
Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-25 pounds).Additionally, the following physical abilities are required; standing, walking, mental acuity, and talking.
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Some tasks also require having close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.
Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed in an indoor office environment with occasional work outdoors, which include field visits, tours, facility inspections, and work-related travel activities. Work exposes incumbent to conditions such as fumes, noxious odors, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation; work exposes incumbent to possible bodily injury from moving mechanical parts of equipment, tools, or machinery; work is performed for sustained periods outdoors and occasionally in hot, cold, or inclement weather; and work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, and gloves.
