Community Planner III

Chester-County-of-Pennsylvania; Westtown (Chester County); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chester County Planning Commission seeks a Community Planner to advance sound and innovative planning efforts in Chester County, operating as a Planner III in a hybrid work environment.

Responsibilities include coordinating work programs, writing technical reports, assisting municipalities, and managing grants, with extensive collaboration with county departments and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning or a related field.
• A minimum of three to four years of job-related experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team member within the department.
• Experience collaborating with external planning partners.
• Self-directed with the ability to work independently on projects with minimal supervision.
• Project management skills and experience.
• Excellent writing and document preparation skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, time management and organizational skills.
• Projection of a positive professional image.
• Demonstrated customer service skills and experience.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and carry projects to completion.
• Computer skills as described below.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a project planner including coordinating and managing work programs.
• Complete assigned planning projects within the established timeframe and budget.
• Research and write technical reports and planning documents.
• Research and write articles and tools for the Planning Commission newsletters, social media, and website.
• Coordinate with other County Departments as needed.
• Provide support letters as requested for state and federal grants.
• Participate in activities related to the implementation of the County comprehensive plan.
• Provide technical assistance and information to the public and municipalities.
• Attend professional conferences and seminars and review professional literature to remain up to date on current planning issues.
• Provide guidance to entry‑level planners including review of work for correctness and completeness.
• Attend meetings with various agencies affiliated with the Planning Commission.
• Prepare and conduct presentations of materials to client municipalities, planning partners, and the public.
• Participate and assist with other tasks and special projects as required.
• Research and write municipal comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, subdivision and land development ordinances, and special planning studies.
• Monitor Vision Partnership Program contracts to ensure municipalities are meeting grant program requirements and are consistent with the County’s policies.
• Attend multiple evening meetings on a monthly basis.

Skills

Team collaboration

Communication

Public speaking

Writing

Project management

GIS

Adobe Creative Suite

Time management

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning or related field

Master's degree in planning or related field

Tools

GIS (ArcView)

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Chester County Planning Commission seeks a Community Planner to assist in advancing sound and innovative planning efforts throughout Chester County. The position, classified as a Planner III, provides professional consulting services and assistance to local municipalities in implementing the County’s long‑range plan, Landscapes3. The Chester County Planning Commission is committed to engaging with communities and our planning partners as we continue to balance preservation and growth in the county. The Planning Commission operates in a hybrid work environment.

Core duties

• Serve as a project planner including coordinating and managing work programs.
• Complete assigned planning projects within the established timeframe and budget.
• Research and write technical reports and planning documents.
• Research and write articles and tools for the Planning Commission newsletters, social media, and website.
• Coordinate with other County Departments as needed.
• Provide support letters as requested for state and federal grants.
• Participate in activities related to the implementation of the County comprehensive plan.
• Provide technical assistance and information to the public and municipalities.
• Attend professional conferences and seminars and review professional literature to remain up to date on current planning issues.
• Provide guidance to entry‑level planners including review of work for correctness and completeness.
• Attend meetings with various agencies affiliated with the Planning Commission.
• Prepare and conduct presentations of materials to client municipalities, planning partners, and the public.
• Participate and assist with other tasks and special projects as required.

Community planner tasks

• Research and write municipal comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, subdivision and land development ordinances, and special planning studies.
• Monitor Vision Partnership Program contracts to ensure municipalities are meeting grant program requirements and are consistent with the County’s policies.
• Attend multiple evening meetings on a monthly basis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning or a related field.
• A minimum of three to four years of job‑related experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team member within the department.
• Experience collaborating with external planning partners.
• Self‑directed with the ability to work independently on projects with minimal supervision.
• Project management skills and experience.
• Excellent writing and document preparation skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, time management and organizational skills.
• Projection of a positive professional image.
• Demonstrated customer service skills and experience.
• Ability to multi‑task, prioritize, and carry projects to completion.
• Computer skills as described below.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Preferred skills, knowledge & experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning or a related field.
• Five or more years of job‑related experience including two or more years of planning experience in Pennsylvania.
• AICP Certification.
• Understanding of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247) and local government structure in Pennsylvania.
• Experience with preparing for, managing, and presenting at public meetings.
• Ability to resolve problems and handle potentially stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain a positive working relationship with co‑workers on team projects.
• Experience in the applied use of GIS and Adobe Creative Suite as described below.
• General knowledge and understanding of Chester County policies and procedures.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Intermediate to advanced Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Intermediate to advanced Internet research skills
• Working knowledge to intermediate skill level in the use of GIS and ArcView software (Intermediate to advanced skills required for GIS planner)
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge); applied experience using Adobe Creative Suite or GIS for project development and analysis is a plus.

Physical demands

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, or hear. Occasionally, the employee will need to stand, walk, reach above shoulders, climb stairs, and drive to and from various locations. On rare occasions, the employee will need to bend at the waist or work bent at the waist, work with arms above shoulders, and carry or lift items.

The special vision requirements for this position are:

• Close vision (while working on computers and for map preparation).

Work environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• Will work inside at a desk 75% of the time.
• Will travel to agencies for meetings 5% of the time.
• Work will entail telephone and computer usage 50 to 70% of the time.
• Work will include field work and surveys 5% of the time.

Other

• Ability to work extended hours, as necessary.
• This position requires a high degree of professionalism.