GENERAL PLANNER (PROVISIONAL) (STRATEGIC PLANNING)

City of Buffalo; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Buffalo’s Office of Strategic Planning seeks a General Planner to assist Senior and Principal Planners in reviewing basic planning studies and redevelopment projects, culminating in land use and site development plans.

You will prepare maps, maintain GIS data, draft technical reports and graphic illustrations, and present plan recommendations to supervisors and the public when requested. Also you will participate in City Planning Board meetings and support intergovernmental processes.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of urban planning principles.
• Working knowledge of federal/state/local planning programs.
• Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Good oral and written presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepares maps for projects and reviews data for accuracy.
• Maintains GIS data and updates project files.
• Drafts technical reports and graphic illustrations for review.
• Presents plan recommendations to superiors and the public when asked.
• Reviews public submittals on site and land-use plans.
• Serves as first contact for Planning/Zoning inquiries.
• Assists in developing land-use and site development plans.
• Attends City Planning Board and Zoning Board meetings.
• Performs related duties as required.

Skills

Urban planning knowledge

GIS expertise

Public speaking

Map preparation

Graphic illustration

Education

Master's in Urban Planning (or related)

Bachelor's with 120 credits in related field + 2 yrs exp

Associates + 4 yrs exp in urban design

High school + 6 yrs exp in urban design

Tools

ArcView GIS

GIS data management

Job description

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Mayor or designee for the Office of Strategic Planning, the General Planner uses urban planning theories and principles to assist Senior Planners and Principal Planners in their review of basic planning studies and development/redevelopment projects, culminating in the development of land use and site development/redevelopment plans. The General Planner does not exercise supervision over any other position within the Office of Strategic Planning.

• Prepares maps as required for projects;
• Maintains data in Geographical Information Systems;
• Prepares initial drafts of technical reports and graphic illustrations such as site plans, perspectives, and schematic drawings for review by superiors;
• Gives oral presentations of plan recommendations to superiors and to the public, when the Deputy Mayor or designee so requests;
• Reviews submittals from the public regarding physical designs of urban development plans, including, but not limited to, information concerning vehicle and pedestrian usage, parking and site access, structural locations, open space design, landscaping elements, and infrastructure considerations;
• Acts as first point of contact in providing information regarding Planning and Zoning to the public, government officials, refers queries to the appropriate personnel within the Office of Strategic Planning, as necessary, and assists with preparation for, and may attend, intergovernmental and public meetings, as necessary;
• Assists superiors in developing comprehensive land use plans;
• Assists superiors in developing site development plans, and site development designs;
• Assists superiors in monitoring land use and development activities affecting defined study areas through site visits and, analysis of land use data;
• Attends meetings of and serves as staff to the City Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, as necessary.
• Performs related duties as required.

• (A) Master’s Degree or higher from a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of /. U.S. Secretary of Education, in the field of Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field;
• (B) Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/.U.S. Secretary of Education, or at least one hundred twenty (120) credit hours in the field of Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field, and two (2) years of full-time experience in building and site design, or design review in an urban area, as deemed acceptable by the Commissioner of Human Resources.
• (C) Associates degree from a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/.U.S. Secretary of Education, or at least sixty (60) credit hours in the field of Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field, and four (4) years of full-time experience in building and site design, or design review in an urban area, as deemed acceptable by the Commissioner of Human Resources.
• (D) Graduation from High School, GED or Equivalency Diploma and six (6) years of full-time experience in building and site design, or design review in an urban area, as deemed acceptable by the Commissioner of Human Resources;
• (E) An equivalent combination as defined within the above limits of A, B, C, and D.

THE CITY OF BUFFALO IS AN EQUAL OPPORUNITY EMPLOYER

• Good knowledge of the general principles of, purposes of, and techniques involved in urban planning;
• General knowledge of governmental programs involved in urban planning and development;
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local agency responsibilities pertaining to urban planning and development;
• Good Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems;
• Good public service related skills;
• Skill in oral and written presentation methods;
• Ability to use Arcview geographic information software to create maps and analyze data;
• Ability to read and understand site plans and interpret the illustration of building elevations;
• Ability to use graphic illustrations in presentations;
• Ability to do some work independently.

Physical conditions commensurate with demands of position.