GENERAL DEFINITION
This is planning work at the advanced training level in the area of assignment. Work involves researching, analyzing and evaluating city planning data, reporting findings, and proposing methodology, plans and procedures for projects within city planning policies and objectives. Employees in this class are typically assigned minor elements of large projects, which require the exercise of independent judgment. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher-level city planner. Assignments require evaluative thinking and are carried out in accordance with standard planning practices and general work instructions. The results of completed assignments form important segments of projects being undertaken by commission staff.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
ALL ASSIGNMENTS
Assists with researching, compiling and analyzing data relevant to the area of assignment; continues to learn approaches and methodology to be used to gather data; reviews federal, state and local regulations, legislation and ordinances applicable to area of assignment; researches sources of funds for planning activities in the area of assignment.
Attends staff, commission, community and intra-agency meetings regarding city planning programs and policies.
Performs related work as required.
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND POLICY ASSIGNMENT
Conducts studies in such functional areas as transportation, community facilities, and residential, commercial and industrial land uses as part of the maintenance of the comprehensive plan or the preparation of district plans for large areas of the city; proposes material to be included and sources of data; compiles and analyzes data to determine existing conditions and to isolate trends; prepares land use, traffic and other plans and/or reports; presents recommendations to staff of planning commission.
Compiles and tabulates departmental capital budget requests; reviews special budget requests and/or the entire capital budgets of the less complex departments; notes questionable items and may obtain clarification if required; recommends items to be included and their scheduling; discusses capital budget requests with staff members to determine conformance with plans and policies.
Keeps abreast of latest developments in the field by reading publications and reports and conferring with individuals and groups; answers inquiries of public about commission activities.
Assists with transportation planning studies; works on strategic planning studies, policy and analysis related to street lighting, highways, etc.
Assists planning representative for an assigned city area; develops contact and rapport with neighborhood community groups; provides technical assistance to community groups; meets with community groups to determine their position or reaction to proposals; the staff or Commission of the community position; gathers and analyzes the data concerning the area under study; performs Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and analysis; reviews proposed site development plans to determine relationship to neighborhood plans, urban renewal plans, and City goals; recommends modifications to development plans; prepares detailed sketches and plans to illustrate plan modifications; prepares detailed land use and site design plans; assists in preparation of urban renewal reports such as blight certifications and development area plans; prepares memos and reports; presents planning recommendations and reports as a public speaker at meetings with staff, other agencies or at Commission hearings.
COMMUNITY HEALTH PLANNING ASSIGNMENT
Assists in researching and recommending public health considerations into planning policy and project implementation; assists in conducting analyses Health Impact Assessments (HIA) and makes recommendations for District Plans and other City Planning Commission adopted and accepted plans; presents findings and recommendations at meetings; assists more senior planning staff in their collaboration with a variety of city agencies and external partners to implement recommendations, including bicycle and pedestrian safety interventions and zoning re-mappings to improve access to health-supportive goods, services, and infrastructure; assists more senior planning staff with convening stakeholders to screen and scope each HIA.
Solicits information from the community to establish health-related priorities; considers community input in planning process; engages design and development communities to build capacity and support for projects that support the healthy built-environment goals of the City Planning Commission and the Department of Public Health.
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND ZONING ASSIGNMENT
Receives and reviews zoning applications; researches previous appeals and examines previous applications and makes recommendations to supervisor; prepares zoning maps; conducts field inspections; prepares zoning data sheets and letters. Also reviews plans for conformance with City standards and code compliance.
URBAN DESIGN ASSIGNMENT
Assists with the preparation and testing of site and building controls and design guidelines for specific development parcels, development projects and special districts; reviews building designs, site plans, streetscapes and landscapes for conformance with zoning controls, development controls and design guidelines; reviews designs for public and private spaces including consideration of such factors as pedestrian usage, landscape standards, lighting, adjoining land uses, transportation linkages and access, signage and public art.
Prepares prospectuses and requests for proposals for individual development sites; prepares redevelopment strategies for neighborhoods and specific development districts including preparation of recommendations on land and other uses
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING ASSIGNMENT
Assists with environmental planning studies; works on planning studies concerned with the physical environment, such as land, climate, vegetation, wildlife, land use, water supply, sewage and septic systems, solid waste, drainage, air, noise, and water pollution, and energy resources.
TRANSPORTATION ASSIGNMENT
Assists with conducting a variety of transportation and land use studies; multimodal corrido studies, and active transportation plans; supports transportation planning projects by conducting research, public outreach and engagement, support ongoing and new projects using planning analytics, may utilize GIS software; review traffic reporting and data; reviews parking studies; assists with conducting pedestrian evaluations.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· the scope and objectives of city planning
· physical, social and economic structure of the city
· city planning problems
· the techniques and processes of planning research
· the methods and techniques of planning analysis
· the theories, principles and trends in city planning
· the principles and methods of municipal zoning as they relate to city planning
· the application and interpretation of standard statistical measures
SKILL IN:
· Microsoft Office Suite
· GIS Mapping software
· Adobe Creative Suite
ABILITY TO:
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, civic, community and industrial groups and the general public
· analyze complex problems and reach sound conclusions
· formulate original plans and reports presenting solutions to planning problems, which are in accordance with accepted planning principles
· present ideas effectively in oral, written or graphic form
· graphically present planning
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 5/23.)
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university in a planning related field*.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
Completion of internship in planning with a City department.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which has included the completion of a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum.
* Qualifying fields related to city planning include: city planning, urban planning, regional planning, community development, architecture, urban design, urban studies, transportation planning, transportation design, environmental design, geography, community planning, sustainability, landscape architecture, historic preservation, public administration or policy OR for the Environmental Planning Assignment engineering or applied science including or supplemented by coursework in environmental science or ecology.
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions. In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with one or more of the required degrees or specific experience to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from the highest-ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified degree and/or experience.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to meet approved minimal physical and medical standards.
Class Established 4/60
Spec. Revision:
Ad. Board - 10/11
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 4/23
Ad. Board – 5/23
JA