Planner

Job Summary

The Planner position within the Growth Management Department Planning & Community Development Division provides a range of planning and community development services in a dynamic and growing community setting.  This position requires the incumbent to possess a planning background and skill in administering, coordinating and conducting development and other technical reviews as part of the Town’s land use regulatory programs. 

Essential Job Functions

• Performs sign, site feature, and tree permit reviews.
• Performs development plan review and planned unit development review.
• Performs subdivision review.

• Conducts data collection, research, and analysis for planning reports and studies as assigned. 
• Assists with processing and the review of applications for annexation.
• Assists with the review and update of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, including amendments.
• Assists in the review and monitoring of programs, projects and applications to ensure compliance with various codes, plans, contracts, policies and procedures, and rules and regulations.
• Interprets local, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines as they relate to assigned responsibilities and stays abreast of various legislative changes.
• Assists with streamlining department procedures and processes to facilitate efficiency. 
• Work requires assistance to and, when applicable, coordination with various Town departments, local governments and agencies, Town Council, Planning Commission, Development Review Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Preservation Review Committee, Developer Representatives, Consultants and the General Public. 
• Provides assistance and information to various Town departments, local governments and agencies, Town Council, Planning Commission, Development Review Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Preservation Review Committee, Developer Representatives, Consultants and the General Public regarding a wide range of planning functions, and other related areas.
• Performs emergency and disaster-related duties as assigned.
• May be required to attend meetings and training sessions can include evenings and weekends.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
A Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Political Science, Economic Development or a related field. For candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of one (1) year of planning/community development experience is required; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Positions in specific program areas may require program-related experience, education, and/or training.

Licenses or Certifications:
Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of South Carolina or Georgia, depending on state of residency.   

Special Requirements: 
None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of development review processes.
• Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of urban planning.
• Knowledge of federal, state and municipal legislation impacting municipal government planning efforts.
• Knowledge of research techniques and sources of information, current literature and recent developments regarding urban planning and development review.
• Knowledge and experience with Geographic Information Systems; experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of customer service principles and best practices.
• Knowledge of job-related software such as Adobe software, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, and other similar products.
• Skill in providing customer service.
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the elected and appointed officials, senior staff, other Town departments, Town employees, and the general public.
• Ability to utilize the Internet and email.
• Ability and knowledge to research and produce planning reports.
• Ability to write clearly; to organize and analyze information and perform planning research.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with General Public, Developers, Owners, Supervisors, Employees, Architects, Engineers, Town Council and Board Members.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to select, evaluate, analyze, and interpret data from several sources. 
• Ability to create clear, concise reports including statistical analysis and trending data.  
• Ability to be tactful, discrete, and persuasive.
• Ability to collaborate with customers, staff, and the general public. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The work is light work.  The employee is frequently required to apply 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is occasionally required to exert up to 20 pounds of force to move objects.  In addition, positions in this classification typically require, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, manual dexterity, mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, visual acuity to analyze data/work with color or depth perception/determine accuracy or observe facilities/operate motor vehicles or equipment/inspect defects or fabricate parts, and walking.

Duties are performed primarily in a moderately noisy business office with copy machines, phones, fax machines, calculators, and printers along with some light foot traffic.  Work is sometime performed after hours such as at evening meetings.

The Town of Bluffton has the right to revise this job description at any time. This

 description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

The Town of Bluffton commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state and federal laws. The Town’s policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination regarding race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, country of national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political affiliation, ethnicity, or status in any other group protected by federal/state/local law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/townofbluffton/jobs/5019943/planner?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs