Description

Under limited supervision, performs technical and professional planning, administration, and research work in the assigned department. Work involves providing information and assistance to the general public, builders, developers, engineers, and departmental employees with issues pertaining to environmental issues including Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas, wetlands, flood hazard areas, and other land use ordinances as required for plan reviews and comments for construction projects. Work also involves coordinating the preparation of various reports related to planning and development activities. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in ensuring compliance with land use codes/ordinances and in completing other assigned tasks. Employee must also exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the general public. Reports to the Department Director.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Essential Job Functions

Coordinates and assists with implementation of various environmental programs related to state and national programs on the environment.
Reviews applications for development within designated wetland areas including coordinating with Federal and State agencies on Joint Permit Applications (JPA).
Serves as the City’s liaison to the Wetlands Board.
Administers Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act regulations including reviewing Water Quality Impact Assessments (WQIA), overseeing Septic Pump Out notification program, and other related activities.
Administers city-wide floodplain management program including maintaining floodplain management files, flood maps, and records.
Functions as the City’s representative for floodplain management studies, plans, and mapping activities initiated by Federal and State Agencies, Regional Planning Commissions, adjacent communities, and others.
Reviews and oversees any updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
Reviews site development plans and building permits for compliance with the environmental regulations including Chesapeake Bay Preservation, wetlands, and floodplain.
Coordinates projects, activities, permitting, and compliance with issues with other federal, state, local, and/or private agencies (such as Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Virginia Department of Health, Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD), Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and others.)
Assists with preparation of long range plans and design and development, such as landscape plans, conservation and preservation issues, greenways and trails initiative, and the City Comprehensive Plan.
Reviews plans and provides technical assistance to department staff, the general public, builders, developers, engineers, and other agencies regarding various planning issues such as re-zonings, land use, conditional use permits.
Consults with the Department Director and other officials and staff members to review operations/activities, review/resolve problems, and provide recommendations.
Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise.
Assists in ensuring compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
Coordinates preparation of various planning and development reports for submittal to department director, Planning Commission, City Council, and other elected/appointed officials and decision-makers; prepares various reports associated with special projects and studies conducted by the department.
Provides information and technical assistance to the general public, builders, developers, engineers, departmental employees, or other individuals/agencies regarding various planning issues, including zoning, subdivision, and other land use ordinances; reviews applications concerning rezoning, land use, and conditional use permits; conducts conferences with applicants; responds to routine questions/complaints, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution.
May coordinate greenways and trails initiative; lead community volunteers on greenway and trail team, blue ways, and related activities.
Administers grants obtained by the department; ensures compliance with restrictions and regulations; prepares and submits required reports and other documentation to appropriate agencies.
Prepares amendments to ordinances for subdivision, unified development ordinance, comprehensive plan, etc.
Coordinates community design activities for capital improvement projects; makes public presentations.
Researches and compiles various statistical, demographic, or administrative data; makes applicable calculations; analyzes data and identifies trends; summarizes data and prepares reports/charts; conducts research of department files, legal records, database records, electronic data sources, Internet sites, hardcopy materials, or other sources as needed.
Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, architectural/engineering plans, specifications, subdivision plats, statistical data, maps, surveys, ordinances, code books, policies, procedures, manuals, directories, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Urban/Regional Planning or closely related field; supplemented by a minimum of six (6) years previous experience and/or training that includes urban planning, landscape architecture, supervision, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Master's degree preferred. American Institute of Certified Planners Certification (AICP) preferred, as well as other certifications that contribute to the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position. Requires a valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

Ability to operate a personal computer, general office equipment, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, computer-aided design (CAD), geographical information system (GIS), project management, e mail, Internet, or other computer programs.
Ability to maintain a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; ability to maintain awareness of new trends and advances in the profession.
Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
Ability to function in a managerial capacity for a division or organizational unit.Includes the ability to make decisions on procedural and technical levels.
Ability to read a variety of maps, ordinances, codes, plans, drawings, and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.
Ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.
Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
Ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.
Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations involving basic algebraic principles and formulas, and basic geometric principles and calculations.
Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with job-related equipment.
Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.
Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of department practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Principal Planner.
Knowledge of the principles, practices and objectives of urban/regional planning and landscape architecture.
Knowledge of the environmental and socioeconomic implications of the planning process.
Knowledge of governmental programs, laws, grants and services pertinent to the planning process.
Knowledge of City zoning ordinances and codes, and related land use regulations.
Knowledge of the geographic and socio-economic layout of the City.
Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of urban planning.
Ability to use manual and automated drafting tools and equipment.
Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, supervisors, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.
Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in contact with municipal, State and Federal officials and the general public.
Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
Skill in the collection, analysis, and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations.
Ability to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision as situations warrant.
Ability to handle required calculations using percentages and decimals.
Ability to read, understand, and interpret maps, technical documents, computer reports, and related materials.

Performance Evaluation Criteria

Quality of Work
Quantity of Work
Dependability
Attendance
Initiative and Enthusiasm
Judgment
Cooperation
Relationships
Coordination of Work
Safety
Planning
Organizing
Staffing
Leading
Controlling
Delegating
Decision Making
Creativity
Human Relations
Policy Implementation
Policy Formulation

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machines, tools and equipment, such as a computer, printer, fax machine, copy machine, calculator, telephone, or drafting instruments. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Tasks require the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds). Requires the ability to: coordinate hands and eyes in using job-related automated office equipment and motor vehicles; handle a variety of items, job-related equipment, control knobs, switches, etc.; use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities; differentiate between colors and shades of color; talk and/or hear. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Exempt

City of Suffolk

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