Development Planner

You can do great work and love what you do with the City of Delaware. We are an organization that succeeds because of teamwork, dedication, diversity, and the innovative spirit of all our employees. The City of Delaware is an award-winning local government organization known for its professionalism, customer service orientation and a strong commitment to distinctive and well-planned community development. The work environment is stable with excellent benefits and retirement packages.  Our mission is to ensure an effective government, a healthy economy, being a safe city and welcoming you to be a part of this great community!   

Under the administrative direction of the Planning and Development Director and under the immediate direction of the Planning and Zoning Administrator, the Development Planner manages development activity (zoning and subdivision) to promote diversification of the housing base, ensuring all new development fulfills City requirement and manages strategic planning processes and updates to the Comprehensive Plan.  Position requires regular and reliable attendance. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: For purposes of 42 USC 12101

1. Performs technical planning functions including, research, review, analysis, presentation and coordination of rezoning, annexation, general plan amendment, development, use permit, variance, and related applications.
2. Responsible for day-to-day zoning and subdivision processes including staffing the one-stop-shop counter.
3. Monitors compliance by residential and other developers of all Code and negotiated requirements, including the payment of transportation fees, infrastructure improvements, parkland dedications, in-lieu fee payments, etc.
4. Coordinates and monitors development process, including data input in related development databases and assists with setting board/commission agendas.
5. Reviews Historic District design process.
6. Processes permits from Historic District and other City permits.
7. Processes permits for Historic District annual revocable sidewalk use permits.
8. Prepares, monitors, and administers private, local, state, and federal grant programs including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) as well as researches new grant opportunities in both the public and private realms.
9. Executes grant administration activities of funded grant applications.
10. Engages in the procurement and management of project activities of funded grant applications.
11. Prepares strategic plans and area plans including managing outside consultant services contracts, conducting neighborhood engagement activities, analyzing data and research, authoring documents, making presentations, ensuring elected and appointed official involvement, and related planning activities
12. Answers customers’ questions via phone, email, or in person.
13. Assists the Planning and Development Director with annual City budget preparation for housing, community development, and revolving loan funds to address anticipated community needs.
14. Maintains Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Portfolio.
15. Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE

• Principals, methods, and practices of urban planning, development, urban design, site and subdivision design, non-traditional development concepts, and design review.
• Land development and land use regulation.
• Community and economic development.
• Housing regulation, techniques, and issues.
• Historic preservation.
• Development and redevelopment strategies, techniques, and practical applications in a complex environment.
• Research methods and statistical principals related to urban growth and development.
• Federal, state, local laws, codes, regulations, and other applicable statutes governing planning, zoning, development, land use, and administration.
• Building permit process and requirements.
• Economic development and the financial implications of land development and projects.
• Grant writing, management and monitoring including experience with State of Ohio and federal grant procedures and processes
• Development processes and development management procedures
• Database/information management
• Urban planning research methodology, including field inspections, computer and electronic searches, archive and file searches, personal interviews, and related research methods.
• Principles and practices of development design and engineering, including architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, site design and development, traffic engineering and impacts and land use compatibility.
• Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, Publisher, Access, Sharepoint, OneNote, and Teams) and other computer software.
• City and Department goals and objectives.
• City and Department policies and procedures.
• Government structure and process.
• Safety practices and procedures.
• Project management.

SKILLS

• Technical analysis skills in zoning and plan preparation including public engagement activities.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, accuracy, time management, and critical thinking skills.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Critical thinking and analysis.
• Civic engagement and customer service.

ABILITIES

• Accurately and practically understand and interpret engineering, building, fire, utility, and transportation techniques, issues, and regulations within an overall development context designed to produce results in the built environment.
• Perform mathematical calculations related to plan review.
• Effectively write, manage, and monitor state and federal grants processes.
• Review and analyze subdivision plats and development plans, technical specifications, and calculations to determine compliance with all applicable City standards, design criteria, codes, regulations, ordinances, and policies.
• Analyze applications and apply relevant regulatory ordinance and codes.
• Effectively analyze unforeseen conditions, conflicts, situations, and development problems and determine sound acceptable solutions and necessary action to be implemented to resolve such situations.
• Author, read and interpret city master plans, strategic/area plans, regulatory cods, technical and operational documents, reports, research material and information, blueprints, and maps.
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, or regulations to specific situations.
• Deal with many variables, define and solve problems, collect, analyze, and interpret data, establish facts, and determine specific action, evaluate, and improve process and/or program efficiency / effectiveness.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Prepare correspondence.
• Compile and prepare reports.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Be honest, dependable, and trustworthy.
• Maintain effective working relationships.
• Communicate effectively, both in oral and written form and to prepare and present effective public presentations.
• Exercise independent judgement and discretion.
• Perform work in a safe manner and report unsafe activities, conditions, and faulty equipment.
• Follow complex written and verbal instructions.
• Prepare clear and concise written reports.
• Work in a professional office environment.

Illustrative Examples of Work / Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. The primary duties of this position are performed in a public office building environment with some activities being performed outdoors and under adverse weather conditions.
2. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, use a telephone and communicate effectively with others over the telephone or in person.
3. Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written material, technical documents, blueprints, and plans.
4. Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment and computer systems.
5. Sufficient body flexibility and personal mobility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office setting and conduct field inspections, as required.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED

Computer, copier, phone, measuring devices, and other standard/modern office equipment; computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office, CityWorks, ArcGIS, OCEAN, ODH Gateway, and other applicable computer software).

Training, Experience, and Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban and regional planning or related field is required. A Masters degree is preferred.
2. Two (2) or more years of professional experience as a public planner.
3. Possession of a valid State of Ohio driver's license and ability to operate City vehicles while conducting on-site investigations and planning activities and maintain insurability under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.
4. Regular and reliable attendance
5. Any combination of training and experience which will indicate the possession of the skills, knowledge and abilities listed below.

Supplemental Information / Special Requirements

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The City of Delaware offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including: health, dental, and life insurance, retirement pension and savings plans, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and longevity pay and in many positions, paid uniforms or clothing allowance. This position is part of the Management Pay Plan.  Details about the compensation and benefits for this position can be found in the agreement by clicking here.

The information above is intended to be illustrative of the kinds of duties that may be assigned to the position and should not be interpreted to describe all the duties which may be required of employees holding this position.

The City of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA), the City of Delaware will provide reasonable accommodations, upon reasonable request, to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.