Purpose of Position

To perform major tasks and assist the Director of City Planning with all tasks at hand. Administer land use controls, ordinances and regulations and implement and interpret the comprehensive plan and engage in long range planning for the physical development of the city. Consult with the planning commission, the Board of Aldermen, and the Mayor with issues and proposals for ordinances and land use planning.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Respond to citizens’ questions about development, planning, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and design standards.
• Evaluate plans for residential and commercial developments in order to ensure that plans adhere to city ordinances and guidelines.
• Accept, review and approve/deny building permit applications using city ordinances, code, design standards, etc.
• Accept, review and approve/deny sign permit applications using the city’s zoning ordinance and other applicable laws and standards. 
• Accept applications from developers/individuals/property owners for rezoning, subdivision plats, variances, conditional use permits and site plan and design review cases.
• Process variance and site plan and design review cases, including any necessary field inspections or photography of relevant properties.
• Prepare public notices for hearings
• Write staff reports for variance cases that are presented to planning commission (PC) and site plan and design review cases that are presented also to the PC, but potentially the Board of Alderman and the Mayor, as well.
• Conduct research for special projects or upon requests from Mayor and/or supervisor.
• Draft ordinances and ordinance amendments as needed.
• Make recommendations for changes in land use controls and ordinances as needed.
• Provide assistance in developing comprehensive plan for the city and make any changes necessary once the plan is adopted.
• In charge of historic preservation program, develop and present cases as necessary.
• Process, write and administer grants as necessary.
• Assist Office Manager with monitoring and processing of various applications as needed at the front counter.
• Collects a variety of statistical data and prepare reports and maps on topics such as census information, land use, tax base data, and occupancy rates.
• May be required to attend Planning Commission meetings as necessary.
• Assists in resolving citizen and customer issues as necessary.
• Perform other duties as directed and/or assigned.

Job Context

The Planner I is a full-time, permanent position in the Planning Department. The immediate supervisor for this position is the Director of City Planning.  This person is required to meet with his/her supervisor at least once daily.  The Planner I works regular hours, year-round, however the position may require working more than the regularly scheduled hours on a regular basis. This position may also require night-work on occasion. The person hired for this position will never perform any shift work and will never be on call. This position requires about 90% indoor work, while about 10% will be outdoors.

The position is responsible for assuring that there is no undue legal liability placed upon the City of Horn Lake. The ideal candidate would be a candidate from an accredited college or university working on or with a degree in Urban Planning or an equivalent type of degree.  It is preferable that the applicant have relevant experience in government planning. Applicants must be able deal with various levels of stress. Applicant must also be able to walk through heavily muddy areas, while observing various types of land, and must be able to endure any weather condition.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge

• City land use ordinances
• Municipal processes
• Reading site plans
• Legal court cases in planning field, signage and speech rights
• Fundamentals of land use principles, including comprehensive planning
• Transportation planning
• Knowledge of principles and practices of research and data collection
• Knowledge of computer programs and applications, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, and database management
• GIS programs and applications
• Municipal financial from planning perspective
• Housing information trends such as materials, roads, and sidewalk ordinances
• General municipal infrastructure elements
• How to develop goals and objectives for physical development of city
• The operations of zoning and subdivision standards
• Design, architecture, trees, plant material, engineer, sociology and anthropology
• OSHA standards and regulations concerning employee safety
• Federal and state statutes concerning the work of the department
• Mathematical skills, including addition, subtraction, division, percentages and multiplication
• General function and operations of municipal government

Skills and Abilities:

• Public Speaking
• Computer knowledge, including word processing and spread sheets
• Ability to read and interpret maps and charts
• Organization skills
• Prioritize daily work flow
• Work as a team member with other employees
• Meet specified or required deadlines
• Make decisions within specified time restraints
• Communicate effectively with residents, elected officials, other City employees, etc., both oral and written

• Maintain confidentiality
• Able to visualize future implications
• Work autonomously when necessary
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously with frequent interruptions
• Maintain professional composure in heated situations
• Develop, implement and follow departmental and City procedures

FLSA:                  Non Exempt

REPORTS TO:    Planning Director

SUPERVISES:    None

The 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.   Characteristics described in this job description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform them. 

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Signature Acknowledging Job Description                                                     Date

Revision adopted:  8/16/2022