ZONING PLANNER

Primary Function

The primary function of an employee in this class is to perform professional and advanced planning work involving the research, review, analysis, enforcement, and coordination of development requests. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Planning and Development Services Director, with some assignments coming from the Planning and Development Assistant Director, but considerable latitude is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The principal duties of this class are performed in a public office-building environment with approximately 25% spent in an outdoor environment with exposure to varied weather conditions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (will vary by assignment)

• Processes planning and zoning permit applications, including reviewing application documents, site visits, and preparing / presenting recommendations to the Planning and Development Council and Board of County Commissioners;
• Administers enforcement of the County planning and development ordinances;
• Provides information and assistance to the public, answers inquiries, and provides technical support;
• Monitors overall implementation of the County Comprehensive Plan, including general planning and development philosophy, goals, and policies;
• Schedules, attends and presents information at public hearings and meetings of the Planning and Development Council and related groups; assists and ensures compliance with public hearing notification requirements;
• Performs special projects, studies, and research as directed;
• Performs technical planning functions including research, review, analysis, presentation, and coordination of rezone, annexation, development, use permit, variance, and related applications;
• Establishes and maintains effective community and organization relations;
• Maintains current case files on each application as assigned;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices.
• Performs other related duties as requested and/or required.

Competency Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Planning and zoning, economic development, and related principles, methodologies, processes, and practices;
• Legal and property descriptions, ordinance and code documents, technical and instructional documents, and building plans, blueprints, and diagrams, and the ability to read, interpret and explain to the public;
• County Comprehensive Plan;
• County, state, and other applicable ordinances, codes, and statutes governing planning, zoning, and development;
• Operation of standard office equipment, a personal computer, and job-related software, including ArcGIS;
• Effective customer service principles and techniques.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, state and local elected and appointed officials, the public, customers, citizen groups, and interested and affected parties;
• Maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations;
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Demonstrate integrity and ingenuity in the performance of assigned tasks.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Master's degree in planning, public administration or a related field; or
• Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration or a related field, and two (2) to three (3) years' experience in planning or zoning review and enforcement or a related field; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Special Qualifications

• Idaho driver's license is required. Essential Physical Abilities
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate with others;
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment and computer systems;
• Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, strength, and agility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office environment and perform field inspections, as required.