Current Employment Opportunities with the City of Meridian:

Job Title: Current Associate Planner
Department: Community Development
Reports To: Current Planning Supervisor
Open Date: October 27, 2022
Close Date: Open Until Filled
Salary: $6,415.58 per month

Job Summary:
This mid-level planning position involves completing complex current planning tasks and duties such as analyzing land use applications for conformity to established plans and ordinances; researching and preparing both written and verbal staff reports and recommendations on development proposals to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council; and assisting developers and the general public by communicating City codes, policies and procedures. The Current Associate City Planner position also involves researching and preparing administrative staff reports and review of site improvements to ensure that development complies with conditions of approval.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Works independently and under the direction of the Planning Supervisor, the Planning Division Manager and/or the Community Development Director;

Conducts research and collects and analyzes data to produce complete, accurate and logical staff reports on the full scope of development applications, including conditional use permits, variances, vacations, subdivisions, planned unit developments, annexation and zoning requests, and other planning projects and applications;

Reviews land use applications for conformity to established plans, policies and ordinances;

Reads, interprets, and reviews site plans, topographic plans, landscape plans, subdivision plats, parking plans, legal property descriptions and architectural plans and communicates needed changes and adjustments to plans;

Analyzes complex planning projects and answers technical planning questions;

Serves as a member of various internal committees as assigned to represent Planning’s vision, policies, and standards;

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the Planning and Zoning Commission, Mayor, City Council members, other civic leaders, clients, state and federal authorities, other City departments, and local planning agencies;

Makes formal presentations on development and planning-related applications to the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council, boards, private development and/or builder groups, and other public venues;

Attends hearings for the Planning and Zoning Commission;

Attends City Council meetings and hearings;

Occasionally attends special meetings or facilitates public meetings held in the evening;

Uses ArcView and associated database to research property ownership and land use information;

Creates electronic maps using ArcView;

Enters data and documents into Accela Automation for application review and tracking;

Assists in the preparation of Unified Development Code amendments;

Provides planning and zoning information to applicants and to the public at the front counter, via phone and through written correspondence;

Conducts on-site inspections of landscaping, parking, building and other required improvements to ensure that development complies with conditions of approval;

Schedules and attends pre-application meetings with applicants and other City staff;

Prepares comments on applications referred to the City by Ada County for compliance with Meridian Comprehensive Plan and/or ordinances;

Assists the Planning Supervisor on improving internal processes, planning code amendments and developing policies;

Advises and assists the Planning Supervisor on training newer staff;

Identifies and corrects potential conflicts before they become a problem;

Demonstrates positive solution focused attitude through optimism, decisiveness, and team decision making;

Maintains a positive attitude of cooperation in performance of work assignments, including adaptability, flexibility, proactive engagement with customers, clients and co-workers, problem solving, decision making, resiliency, organization and time management;

Facilitates team discussions during meetings;

Provides outstanding customer service by communicating respect, being open-minded, having a spirit of collaboration, and calmly resolving conflict with individuals that may be upset or angry;

Develops and uses empathetic listening skills;

Demonstrates good judgment and initiative to interpret and apply City policies and procedures;

Provides excellent oral, written, and graphic communication with co-workers, clients and supervisor;

Collaborates with co-workers and other City staff to accomplish assigned tasks as a team;

Demonstrates integrity in the performance of assigned tasks;

Works with Planning Division Manager on a training program for employee’s professional development;

Attends continued education conferences, workshops, and other training opportunities to remain current with planning and/or development trends;

Performs other duties as assigned or needed.

Job Specifications:
1) High school diploma plus a minimum of four years of experience in community development and/or land use planning field and American Institute of Certified Planning certification; or 2) a Bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field plus a minimum of two years of experience in community development and/or land use planning; or 3) equivalent combination of experience, education and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the job;

A Master’s degree in planning or a related field is preferred;

American Institute of Certified Planners certification is desired;

Must have excellent writing and research skills; have a strong attention to detail; be a persuasive speaker; be even-tempered and fair; and be committed to the American Institute of Certified Planning Code of Ethics.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Working knowledge of principles and terms related to general and applied planning, development regulations, land use theory, comprehensive planning and zoning requirements;

Working knowledge of research techniques;

Working knowledge of demographics, population forecasting, housing, land use, and traffic studies;

Working knowledge of math skills including statistical analysis;

Working knowledge of principles, practices and operation of Geographic Information Systems and ArcView in particular;

Working knowledge of Accela Automation;

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and PowerPoint;

Working knowledge of advanced knowledge of federal, state and local laws related to land use, permitting and subdivisions;

Working knowledge of correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary;

Ability to prioritize, organize and perform work with minimal direction;

Ability to type at least 30 words per minute;

Ability to compose clear and concise correspondence and technical written documents;

Ability to collect, prepare, and analyze statistical information;

Ability to operate a computer terminal;

Ability to read and interpret site plans and plats;

Ability to work with frequent interruptions;

Ability to perform mathematical operations quickly and accurately;

Ability to operate office equipment, e.g., photocopier, facsimile machine, digital camera, etc.

Licensing:
Possession of a valid Idaho driver’s license and a safe driving record is required.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment with moderate noise level. The employee in this class is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions which provide protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes;

Employee is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions and is required to negotiate rough terrain in order to conduct site visits which may also involve extreme heat and/or cold;

Frequently requires sitting at a desk for long periods of time, up to 8 hours;

Requires ability to lift up to 40 pounds;

Constantly requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers;

Constantly requires clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;

Constantly requires clear vision to read printed materials and computer screen to accomplish work;

Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to function in a general office environment to accomplish the tasks noted above.

Travel Requirements
Occasional travel is required using city-owned vehicles.

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