Job Description

PLANNER II

JOB CODE 18220

Effective Date:	Rev. 07/07A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to provide advanced analysis of technical data and major project work in the field of city planning. Planners II are responsible for major planning functions or projects requiring combinations of skill in research, analysis, development, presentation, or interpretation of concepts and data pertaining to planning and implementation of plans. Work is performed with general instructions from a supervisor with considerable latitude for independent initiative and judgment. A Planner II is distinguished from a Planner I by the size, complexity, creative demands, public relations problems, and independence of performance of assigned projects or functions. General supervision is received from a higher level Planner, Project Manager or Team Leader.

Planning Department:

Planners II in Planning serve on interdepartmental committees and coordinate large processes such as application screenings, annexations, regulatory license requests, school district notifications, text amendments, and the preparation of interpretation letters. Some Planners II may assist with hearing processes such as the Planning Commission or Zoning Adjustment Hearing Officer. Some Planners II exercise supervision over field and office personnel engaged in collecting, analyzing, and presenting data. Work is subject to technical review through the evaluation of reports.

Development Services Department (DSD):

Planners II in DSD are typically assigned to interdisciplinary development teams, reviewing plans for conformance, providing assistance to developers, and coordinating with other disciplines to ensure that stipulations are included and implemented. Incumbents attend development meetings, must be well-versed in the zoning ordinance, and develop a general knowledge of all disciplines in the development process. They negotiate with developers and other departments, implementing stipulations established by the Planning Department process. They have a high degree of contact with developers and the public and develop long term relationships with developers as a result of long term projects and repeat submissions. DSD Planners II have a significant amount of autonomy in making recommendations and negotiating with developers.

Public Transit Department:

Planners II in Public Transit liaison with contractors for environmental or scheduling issues, and interact with developers, external agencies, and other departments. Incumbents write staff reports on environmental planning, plan review, or routing proposals. They resolve straight-forward transit-related customer issues, often referred to the Public Transit Department by the Council, Mayor, or City Manager’s offices. They coordinate the approval process for changes to and/or new transit routes, participate in public communication and outreach efforts, and estimate financial and other resource impacts for transit needs. The Public Transit Planners II liaison with and make presentations to staff, commissions, and external regional bodies.

Aviation Department:

Planners II assigned to Aviation review plans and rezoning applications to ensure land use compatibility on and near the City’s three Airports. Incumbents are required to make frequent presentations to the community, boards, and other local and federal agencies. Planners II are responsible for the submission of grants to both the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Aeronautics Division. Planners II are frequently assigned airport planning projects or studies related to airport construction, airport capacity and efficiency. Incumbents function with a high level of autonomy in their normal duties which require a combination of experience in airport land use compatibility and aviation planning projects, as well as knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations and FAA Advisory Circulars.

Historic Preservation Office:

Historic Preservation Planners II manage federal compliance projects for client departments, major grant programs, and design review processes. Incumbents are responsible for analyzing, investigating, and making judgments regarding appropriate treatments to historic properties and related planning and preservation issues; and evaluating the significance of historic properties, determining eligibility, and processing historic designations. Assignments require meeting with staff members in other departments and external agency representatives, conducting site visits and surveys, writing staff reports with recommendations, reviewing plans, and making presentations to a hearing officer. Incumbents make frequent presentations to the community, boards, and the Historic Preservation Commission. Historic Preservation Office Planners II function with a high level of autonomy as generalists, requiring a combination of land use and historic preservation knowledge including historic architectural styles and design; local history; rehabilitation methods, techniques, and materials; relevant local, state and federal legislation; and historic research techniques and sources of archival material.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Works independently in developing and carrying out research, writing reports, or developing work programs to solve problems;
• Gathers, analyzes, and presents data in the form of written, graphic, or oral reports;
• Performs research, planning, and technical analysis of the more complex planning projects and prepares written reports of studies;
• Serves in a coordinating role with other divisions, or outside department staff;
• Staffs a citizen committee;
• Speaks at neighborhood or other public meetings;
• Acts as a project manager or team leader on some assignments;
• Serves in an interdisciplinary function or department;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of city planning.

Ability to:

• Work cooperatively with other City employees and the public, often under difficult circumstances.
• Communicate orally with customers, clients, or the public in face-to-face one-on-one settings or in group settings.
• Use graphic instructions such as blueprints, layouts, base maps, or other visual aids.
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material in the English language such as census data, surveys, previously done studies, or government document reports.
• Produce written documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Operate a computer, copy machine, or microfiche reader/printer requiring continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements.
• Move light objects (less than 20 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet) when transporting recorders, projectors, or other materials to public meetings.
• Enter data or information into a terminal, PC, or other keyboard device.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.

Additional Requirements:

• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon work department, location, assignment, or shift.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Two years of experience in the field of urban planning and a bachelor's degree in city or urban planning, landscape architecture, engineering, architecture, political science, a related field, or a field related the specialty area. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.