Community Planner - Land Use & Development (I–III)

City of Abilene, Texas; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Abilene, Texas is seeking an experienced planning professional to perform land use, zoning, development review, and community planning tasks under general supervision. You will conduct research, prepare staff reports, and provide technical assistance to the public, applicants, consultants, and City boards and commissions on planning projects of varying complexity.

The role supports the development and implementation of plans, policies, programs, and regulations, contributing to

Qualifications

• Principles and practices of community planning, land use planning, zoning, development review, and subdivision regulations.
• Federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures related to planning and development.
• Basic research, data collection, statistical, algebraic, and geographic concepts applicable to planning.
• Planning-related computer applications and technology, including GIS, Microsoft Office, and other software used in planning activities.
• Advanced principles and practices of community planning, land use planning, zoning, development review, subdivision regulations, comprehensive planning and long-range planning.
• Federal and state laws, regulations, and programs applicable to urban planning, land use, development, and related municipal programs.
• Research methodologies, data analysis, planning project coordination, and applicable GIS, mapping, database, and visualization technologies.
• Advanced principles, practices, philosophies, and techniques of community planning, land use, zoning, subdivision, comprehensive planning, community development, and related disciplines.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and programs affecting land use, development, zoning, and community planning.
• Advanced research methodologies, project management principles, stakeholder engagement, consultant coordination, and planning-related technology.

Responsibilities

• Performs professional planning work involving land use, zoning, development review, and related planning activities under general supervision.
• Provides technical assistance to applicants, property owners, developers, consultants, City staff, and the public regarding zoning, land use, development standards, and applicable plans, ordinances, policies, and regulations.
• Reviews assigned development applications and plans, including site plans, zoning change requests, conditional use permits, variances, subdivision plats, and other land use applications, for completeness and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Interprets applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures and provides information regarding zoning districts, permitted and conditional uses, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, signage, and other development standards.
• Conducts research, field investigations, and site inspections; documents findings and assists with compliance and enforcement activities involving potential zoning violations or development deficiencies.
• Prepares or assists with staff reports, public notices, maps, presentations, research summaries, and other materials for planning applications, public hearings, boards, commissions, and assigned planning projects.
• Assists higher-level planning staff with comprehensive planning activities, planning studies, ordinance updates, and other planning initiatives and coordinates routine project information with applicants and professional consultants.
• Independently reviews and evaluates moderately complex to complex development applications and proposals for compliance with applicable ordinances, zoning regulations, development standards, adopted plans, policies, and other requirements.
• Processes complex commercial and mixed-use development proposals and exercises established approval authority for site plans and other development applications.
• Conducts independent research and analysis involving land use, zoning, development, demographics, census information, tax base data, occupancy, and other community planning issues and develops professional recommendations.
• Prepares and presents staff reports, planning studies, technical reports, maps, presentations, recommendations, and other professional materials for City staff, boards, commissions, and other decision-making bodies.
• Evaluates planning and development issues involving multiple regulations, policies, technical considerations, or competing interests and identifies deficiencies, impacts, alternatives, and appropriate solutions.
• Assists with the development, review, and maintenance of the Comprehensive Plan, zoning and subdivision regulations, land development regulations, ordinances, policies, and other long-range planning documents.
• Coordinates assigned planning projects with applicants, consultants, City departments, outside agencies, boards and commissions, and other stakeholders; provides technical guidance to Planner I and other staff without exercising supervisory authority.
• Performs advanced professional planning work involving complex land use, zoning, development, community planning, and policy issues and exercises a high degree of professional judgment.
• Independently manages complex development applications and planning projects involving significant regulatory, technical, economic, environmental, policy, or community considerations.
• Reviews and processes major land use and development proposals, including comprehensive plan amendments, zoning changes, annexations, site plans, subdivision plats, conditional use permits, variances, and related proposals.
• Leads the preparation and implementation of comprehensive plans, area plans, land use studies, development regulations, zoning regulations, ordinances, policies, and other long-range planning initiatives.
• Conducts advanced research and analysis and prepares comprehensive technical reports, recommendations, presentations, and other professional planning documents for City staff, boards, commissions, City Council, and other decision-making bodies as assigned.
• Coordinates complex planning projects involving multiple City departments, governmental agencies, consultants, developers, property owners, community stakeholders, and other partners; evaluates consultant proposals, scopes of work, and technical studies as assigned.
• Provides advanced technical guidance, mentoring, and professional assistance to planning staff and, when assigned, supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned staff.

Skills

Planner I knowledge

Planning principles

Research concepts

Planning software (GIS & Office)

Planner II knowledge

Urban planning laws

Data analysis & GIS

Planner III knowledge

Policy & planning tech

Job description

City of Abilene, Texas is seeking an experienced planning professional to perform land use, zoning, development review, and community planning tasks under general supervision. You will conduct research, prepare staff reports, and provide technical assistance to the public, applicants, consultants, and City boards and commissions on planning projects of varying complexity.

The role supports the development and implementation of plans, policies, programs, and regulations, contributing to