PLANNER I
City of Douglasville, Douglasville, GA, United States
JOB SUMMARY
The person in this position assists in zoning and development and annexation functions for the city. This position conducts short-range planning, research, and analyses. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Zoning Administrator.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Assists in coordinating with other departments and city staff on the Community Development Department updates of zoning and maps, zoning and development ordinances, comprehensive plans, floodplain maps, and related studies, including distributing development plans for interdepartmental and Development Review Team review as required;
Receives and reviews applications for rezoning, special land use permits, variances, zoning appeals, development plans, preliminary and final and revised subdivision plats, annexations, future land use plan amendments, and proposed development agreements; processes associated applications and invoices; and tracks submissions using established departmental software systems;
Receives and reviews hydrology plans, sign plans, parking plans, civil design and construction plans, site plans, landscaping plans, erosion and sedimentation and pollution control plans, grading plans, floodplain management/flood damage prevention plans, tree conservation plans and all other plans required or allowed by the zoning and development ordinances;
Assures the accuracy of application materials, including the accuracy of legal descriptions, conducts site visits as needed to clarify property information, requests additional materials from applicants when needed, and rejects incomplete or inaccurate applications;
Prepares accurate and complete zoning verifications in accordance with established standard operating procedure, including processing, invoicing, and ensuring completion of Zoning Verification Letters;
Facilitates the Zoning Board and Planning and Development Committee, prepares agendas and minutes, assures compliance with the Open Meetings Act, and attends evening meetings as required to support Planning Commission and City Council proceedings;
Prepares and administers legal advertisements, notice postings, and required zoning signage for zoning matters, including installation of required signs at subject properties;
Prepares and submits proposed agenda items related to short-range planning, zoning, and development for Mayor and City Council meetings, including drafting council approval letters and notices of public hearings using established forms and procedures;
Receives, reviews and submits petitions for annexation promptly to the Chief Assistant City Attorney for legal review, rejects defective applications, and maintains records of annexation petitions;
Requests information from and project assistance to federal, state, regional, county, city, and other agencies regarding planning, zoning, and development issues;
Answers inquiries and provides information to the general public regarding short-range planning and zoning and development ordinances, responds to inquiries via phone, email, and in person, and directs customers to appropriate departments or external jurisdictions when matters fall outside City authority;
Provides staff assistance to task forces, committees, councils, commissions, and boards, including scheduling and facilitating pre-application meetings, distributing advance correspondence to review teams, and documenting meeting notes and follow-up communications to applicants;
Conducts field work and site reviews as required;
Develops and prepares analytical and technical studies and reports for the Zoning Administrator and/or Planning Manager, including research for long-term projects and complex, multi-layered zoning inquiries;
Reviews business license applications and building permit applications for zoning compliance;
Accepts, receives, and collects payments related to zoning, permitting, and application processes, including preparation and issuance of invoices in accordance with established procedures;
Conducts plan reviews for new construction to ensure zoning and development compliance;
Provides administrative support to Planning and Development Committee and other boards as necessary;
Attends evening meetings and occasional weekend events;
Maintains and updates professional knowledge by attending training programs, workshops, and meetings; and
Performs other related duties as required.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field; and one (1) year of work experience in planning; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree preferred.
CERTIFICATION, LICENSE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Requires a Valid Georgia Driver's license. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of city, county, regional, state, and federal planning codes, ordinances, and regulations, including land use, environmental, transportation, and historic preservation requirements.
Knowledge of comprehensive and current planning principles, development regulations, and the relationship between planning policy, engineering concepts, and physical design.
Knowledge of socio-economic and demographic research techniques as applied to planning analysis and decision-making.
Skill to operate a personal computer and related software, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics applications, and GIS/GPS systems.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret deeds, surveys, legal descriptions, maps, drawings, specifications, and technical planning documents to determine property relationships and zoning compliance.
Ability to conduct technical planning research and prepare clear, accurate reports, plans, and studies that interpret ordinances and codes.
Ability to communicate technical information effectively through clear verbal and written recommendations tailored to both professional audiences and the general public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, elected officials, developers, agencies, and the public while exercising tact and professionalism.
Ability to operate City vehicles in the performance of assigned duties.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work requires sedentary activity involving sustained mental acuity, repetitive motion, verbal communication, and visual concentration, with occasional walking, standing, and light handling of documents or materials related to planning and zoning functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is typically performed in a professional office environment that is dynamic in nature and requires sensitivity to change, responsiveness to shifting priorities, deadlines, and public interaction, and adaptability to evolving regulatory and organizational needs.
The person in this position assists in zoning and development and annexation functions for the city. This position conducts short-range planning, research, and analyses. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Zoning Administrator.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Assists in coordinating with other departments and city staff on the Community Development Department updates of zoning and maps, zoning and development ordinances, comprehensive plans, floodplain maps, and related studies, including distributing development plans for interdepartmental and Development Review Team review as required;
Receives and reviews applications for rezoning, special land use permits, variances, zoning appeals, development plans, preliminary and final and revised subdivision plats, annexations, future land use plan amendments, and proposed development agreements; processes associated applications and invoices; and tracks submissions using established departmental software systems;
Receives and reviews hydrology plans, sign plans, parking plans, civil design and construction plans, site plans, landscaping plans, erosion and sedimentation and pollution control plans, grading plans, floodplain management/flood damage prevention plans, tree conservation plans and all other plans required or allowed by the zoning and development ordinances;
Assures the accuracy of application materials, including the accuracy of legal descriptions, conducts site visits as needed to clarify property information, requests additional materials from applicants when needed, and rejects incomplete or inaccurate applications;
Prepares accurate and complete zoning verifications in accordance with established standard operating procedure, including processing, invoicing, and ensuring completion of Zoning Verification Letters;
Facilitates the Zoning Board and Planning and Development Committee, prepares agendas and minutes, assures compliance with the Open Meetings Act, and attends evening meetings as required to support Planning Commission and City Council proceedings;
Prepares and administers legal advertisements, notice postings, and required zoning signage for zoning matters, including installation of required signs at subject properties;
Prepares and submits proposed agenda items related to short-range planning, zoning, and development for Mayor and City Council meetings, including drafting council approval letters and notices of public hearings using established forms and procedures;
Receives, reviews and submits petitions for annexation promptly to the Chief Assistant City Attorney for legal review, rejects defective applications, and maintains records of annexation petitions;
Requests information from and project assistance to federal, state, regional, county, city, and other agencies regarding planning, zoning, and development issues;
Answers inquiries and provides information to the general public regarding short-range planning and zoning and development ordinances, responds to inquiries via phone, email, and in person, and directs customers to appropriate departments or external jurisdictions when matters fall outside City authority;
Provides staff assistance to task forces, committees, councils, commissions, and boards, including scheduling and facilitating pre-application meetings, distributing advance correspondence to review teams, and documenting meeting notes and follow-up communications to applicants;
Conducts field work and site reviews as required;
Develops and prepares analytical and technical studies and reports for the Zoning Administrator and/or Planning Manager, including research for long-term projects and complex, multi-layered zoning inquiries;
Reviews business license applications and building permit applications for zoning compliance;
Accepts, receives, and collects payments related to zoning, permitting, and application processes, including preparation and issuance of invoices in accordance with established procedures;
Conducts plan reviews for new construction to ensure zoning and development compliance;
Provides administrative support to Planning and Development Committee and other boards as necessary;
Attends evening meetings and occasional weekend events;
Maintains and updates professional knowledge by attending training programs, workshops, and meetings; and
Performs other related duties as required.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field; and one (1) year of work experience in planning; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree preferred.
CERTIFICATION, LICENSE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Requires a Valid Georgia Driver's license. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of city, county, regional, state, and federal planning codes, ordinances, and regulations, including land use, environmental, transportation, and historic preservation requirements.
Knowledge of comprehensive and current planning principles, development regulations, and the relationship between planning policy, engineering concepts, and physical design.
Knowledge of socio-economic and demographic research techniques as applied to planning analysis and decision-making.
Skill to operate a personal computer and related software, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics applications, and GIS/GPS systems.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret deeds, surveys, legal descriptions, maps, drawings, specifications, and technical planning documents to determine property relationships and zoning compliance.
Ability to conduct technical planning research and prepare clear, accurate reports, plans, and studies that interpret ordinances and codes.
Ability to communicate technical information effectively through clear verbal and written recommendations tailored to both professional audiences and the general public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, elected officials, developers, agencies, and the public while exercising tact and professionalism.
Ability to operate City vehicles in the performance of assigned duties.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work requires sedentary activity involving sustained mental acuity, repetitive motion, verbal communication, and visual concentration, with occasional walking, standing, and light handling of documents or materials related to planning and zoning functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is typically performed in a professional office environment that is dynamic in nature and requires sensitivity to change, responsiveness to shifting priorities, deadlines, and public interaction, and adaptability to evolving regulatory and organizational needs.