Development Review Specialist Senior

Santa Fe County; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Fe County is seeking a Planning professional to develop and enforce land-use plans, review applications, and coordinate with architects, engineers, developers, and public agencies. The role supports zoning compliance, site development review, and long-range community planning.

The ideal candidate possesses knowledge of zoning, subdivision laws, and the Sustainable Land Development Code, with strong analytical and communication abilities for presenting to planning boards and the public.

Qualifications

• Planning knowledge and ability to interpret zoning and land-use concepts.
• Data collection, analysis and presentation of renewal/redevelopment projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Review and process applications for permits, licenses, variances and site development.
• Prepare and present cases to planning commissions and revise existing plans.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, developers, and government bodies on subdivisions and standards.
• Conduct site visits to ensure compliance with codes and development standards.
• Develop reports and presentations for the Board of County Commissioners and other agencies.

Job description

Develops comprehensive plans and programs for the utilization of land and physical facilities of the County and ensures compliance to zoning ordinances and subdivision laws. Reviews and processes applications for permits, licenses, variances, site development and conceptual plans, appeals, rezoning, subdivisions and other applications, in accordance with zoning and subdivision ordinances and established policies, procedures, codes, regulations and other requirements.

• Makes recommendations on plats and site plan applications, zoning and rezoning requests, annexation proposals and other planning projects; coordinates and consults with architects, engineers, planning consultants, developers, property owners, County and City departments and business and utility companies on subdivisions and development standards and requirements.
• Prepares and presents cases to the various planning commissions pertaining to requests for plats, zoning, variances, special exceptions and appeals; undertakes, analyzes and makes proposals for revisions to existing County planning projects.
• Conducts site visits and review of land divisions, major and minor subdivisions, subdivision exemptions, and site development plans to ensure applications comply with the Sustainable Land Development Code (SLDC); prepares development orders; assists in determining legal lots of record; and processes home occupation applications.
• Prepares water restrictive covenants assuring all required documentation and approvals prior to recording final plat.
• Makes presentations to government officials and citizens; provides technical support to the various planning boards and commissions; consults with architects and developers on specific development proposals and projects; responds to inquiries from the public regarding planning projects and demographic data; assists in developing methodology for planning projects; demonstrates extreme tact and independent judgment in dealing with citizen complaints and controversial projects.
• Plans and prepares reports and presentations for use before the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission and other public entities; assists in long-range planning for community development and updating of the comprehensive plan for the County; reviews development plans for building permits; conducts site visits; and reviews and processes permit applications for liquor and other business licenses.
• Demonstrates professionalism and courtesy in interactions with internal staff and external customers and agencies; provides training to other development review staff; reviews and checks work, as needed.

• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; establishing networks; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.

Knowledge/ Skills:

• Working knowledge of the principles and techniques involved in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive plan; sources of information applicable to the collection, compilation and analysis of data and preparation of plans and presentations of renewal and redevelopment projects; accepted practices and laws relating to zoning, land subdivision, control and land use; methods of statistical analysis and of the evaluation of research data; and techniques and materials used in all types of graphic presentations.
• Ability to learn and interpret laws and procedures applicable to city and regional planning and coordinate planning studies in a variety of fields.
• Ability to conduct research; prepare clear, comprehensive and concise reports; effectively interpret verbal and written development requirements and objectives; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department staff, governmental and private agencies and the public.
• Ability to read plats and plans and organize work and effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheets, database, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and other software programs in a Windows environment

• Associate’s degree in Rural or Urban Land Use, Planning, Geography, Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field plus two (2) years related experience or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience in these fields and in the essential job functions listed, totaling four (4) years. Related education may be substituted at a rate of 30 semester hours equal to one (1) year experience.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed both in an office setting and outdoors in varied weather conditions with exposure to dust, fumes, airborne particles and/or allergens. Work may involve high risk or potentially dangerous situations, or exposure to excessive noise. Work may require the use of protective clothing, equipment, devices, materials. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands or arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20lbs. Clarity of vision at short and long distance is required. Work schedule shall include shift, evening, weekend and holiday hours. May be subject to exposure to CRT’s and VDT’s.

Conditions of Employment:

Selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Additionally, selected candidate must submit to and pass a county paid criminal background screening. Selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Driver’s License as incumbent shall be appointed to drive a County vehicle during the performance of his/her duties.