Job: Town Planner
Job Description
Job Type: Full time, Salaried
Wage: $70,000-$95,000/yr.
Location: Poncha Springs, CO.
Job Description:
HOW TO APPLY: Please send your cover letter, resume, and completed Town application to Lance Hostetter, Town Administrator at [email protected]. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Position open until filled.
JOB SUMMARY: The Town of Poncha Springs seeks qualified applicants to fill the role of Town Planner. The person filling this position will develop the Town’s affordable housing blueprint and provide professional support for current planning projects and land use applications. This role requires working independently and as part of a team to address planning issues that involve research, analysis, plan review, and communications with a variety of stakeholders including elected and appointed officials, the public and private sector leaders, and where applicable local and regional governments. Must be able to identify the primary problem, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. This position also routinely provides information and technical assistance to the public. The position may participate in diverse planning activities depending upon the Town’s goals and needs such as: community planning and visioning, historic preservation, economic development, outdoor recreation, sustainability, and resiliency planning. The position’s primary place of work is at Town Hall and will require semi- regular attendance at Board of Trustee meetings, Planning & Zoning Commission, and other meetings as needed.
FUNCTIONS (Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities)
General
1. Ability to work in a professional, cooperative, friendly and informative manner with citizens, visitors and local, State, and Federal organizations.
2. Works under the direct supervision of the Town Administrator. While some independence of action is required, circumstances outside of normal routine are referred to the Town Administrator.
Planning and Regulatory Land Use (40%):
1. Acts as a liaison between property owners, development professionals, interdepartmental staff and decision bodies by providing information and recommendations regarding the land development code and other ordinance requirements, and their application to specific developmental proposals.
2. Develops planning studies and reports in support of new and updated plans, programs and regulations.
3. Assists with master plan/strategic plan development, feasibility studies and resource plans as needed; may include planning for downtown concepts, redevelopment projects, parks and trails.
4. Reviews or assists in the review of moderately difficult development proposals and site plans for conformance with codes, plans and regulations.
5. Reviews, prepares, and ensures compliance on various land use applications including, but not limited to conditional use permits, limited use permits, temporary use permits, certificates of appropriateness, variances, rezoning, subdivisions, preliminary and final development plans, etc.
6. Provides recommendations on land use applications and prepares meeting materials for the Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Trustees. This typically includes up to two (2) evening meetings per month. Special meetings may be held.
7. Gathers, compiles and evaluates statistical data related to the Town’s existing population, housing needs, income level, employment, tax base, etc. for use in project future planning needs of the Town.
8. Coordinates community review of public and private development projects.
9. Research code-related issues as needed, and make new policy recommendations to management, Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Trustees.
Affordable Housing (55%):
1. Develop a robust affordable housing plan for the Town that includes recommendations for land acquisition, housing type, locations, policies and procedures, and strategic partnerships.
2. Develop an expedited review process for affordable housing projects.
3. Research and create an inventory of publicly owned lands suitable for affordable housing projects.
4. Regularly attend and participate in regional affordable housing efforts as needed.
5. Other duties as assigned related to Proposition 123 implementation and requirements
Planning and Community Services Cross-training and Other Functions (5%):
1. Assist in facilitating, preparing written documents, researching and presenting new topics as needed for Board of Trustee Work Sessions and Meetings.
2. Assist in facilitating website updates and public outreach as needed
3. Able to work within a small team and be prepared to fill-in adequately, on in a-as-needed or extended basis to address planning, business development, building permit, plan review, inspection and related matters, contract management, marketing, grant management, municipal code interpretation and/or general administrative support.
4. Interest in the theory, principles, practices, and methods of land use, economic development, building-related code standards.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES)
1. Experience and Work Ethic:
a. Ability to learn quickly, including becoming a master of the Town Land Use Code.
b. Excellent communication skills, including written and verbal.
c. Exceptional problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
d. Ability to exercise professional judgment and organization skills.
e. Creativity and ability to remain flexible in a changing environment while meeting required deadlines.
f. Interest in ensuring Town codes are adhered to regardless of personal feelings or relationship associated with individual matters.
2.Technology:
a. Experience in effectively using computer hardware, peripherals, and standard computers software programs. Willing to learn new duties and technology-related skills as required and/or needed.
b. Familiarity with and interest in GIS data and software.
c. Basic knowledge of real estate, parcel mapping and real estate related research.
3. Education / Licensure
a. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Historic Preservation or a related field is required; A Master’s degree one of those professional fields is strongly preferred. AND b. A minimum of one (1) year of experience working in the public sector within the areas of Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, or a related field. OR c. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience within the areas of Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Historic Preservation or a related field. d. Valid Colorado Driver’s license (or the ability to receive one within 6-months of employment) with a safe driving record.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move or carry up to 25 pounds; may lift up to 50 pounds.
BENEFITS The Town of Poncha Springs values the contributions each employee makes every day towards the success of the organization and community. The Town provides a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, and vision insurance; robust vacation and sick leave accrual, a generous retirement package, fourteen paid holidays throughout the year, and other benefits.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS: This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. This position description is not intended to be an exclusive list of all the requirements, duties, tasks, roles or responsibilities associated with the position. Nothing in this position description restricts the City’s ability to assign, reassign or eliminate duties and responsibilities of this job at any time. The City is an “at will” employer, and City employees may be separated from employment at any time and at the discretion of management. The Town of Poncha Springs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to gender (regardless of gender identity or gender expression), race, color, religion, creed, national origin ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by law. The Town will make all reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity in employment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.