Planner

Desoto Group Inc; DeSoto (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending

Job summary

City of DeSoto seeks a qualified Planning Technician to assist the Planning Manager in administering zoning and subdivision ordinances, coordinating the development review process, and preparing plans and studies for developers, builders, and the public. The role requires reviewing plats, writing staff reports, presenting to commissions, meeting with the public, and assisting with amendments to ordinances and the comprehensive plan.

Proficiency in GIS and MS Office is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning or related field.
• Five (5) years of related work experience.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred.
• Or equivalent training, education, and/or experience; and
• Valid Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing Plats and Site Plans for conformance with the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance, to include writing comments and then reviewing resubmittals to verify that comments have been addressed by the applicant.
• Writing staff reports for zoning requests and plat applications and presenting cases to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
• Meet with developers, builders and the general public to answers questions pertaining to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, as well as the development process.
• Preparing plans and studies, as well as amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, and the Comprehensive Plan.
• Review Certificates of Occupancy to assure all requirements of the Zoning Ordinance are being met. This entails making contact with the applicant for additional information when needed.
• Performs other assigned duties.

Skills

GIS knowledge

Public meetings

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning or related field

AICP preferred

Valid Driver’s License

Tools

ArcInfo

ArcView

Job description

• O- We take ownership of our collective performance
• V- We value and respect all employees
• E- We empower employees to grow

Description

Our Core Values

We LOVE DeSoto

• L- We lift up our community
• O- We take ownership of our collective performance
• V- We value and respect all employees
• E- We empower employees to grow

The purpose of the position is to assist the Planning Manager in administering the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, coordinating the development review process, preparing plans and studies, as well as providing information and assistance to developers, builders and the general public.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviewing Plats and Site Plans for conformance with the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance, to include writing comments and then reviewing resubmittals to verify that comments have been addressed by the applicant.
• Writing staff reports for zoning requests and plat applications and presenting cases to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
• Meet with developers, builders and the general public to answers questions pertaining to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, as well as the development process.
• Preparing plans and studies, as well as amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, and the Comprehensive Plan.
• Review Certificates of Occupancy to assure all requirements of the Zoning Ordinance are being met. This entails making contact with the applicant for additional information when needed.
• Performs other assigned duties.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning or other related field;
• Five (5) years of related work experience;
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred;
• Or equivalent training, education, and/or experience; and
• Valid Driver’s License.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of the development process; principles of planning specific to work assignments and research methods applicable to assignments.
• Legal terminology pertinent to planning and zoning related matters.
• Basic mathematical principles such as fractions, percentages, ratios. Also, basic geometry.
• Federal and state regulations pertaining to work assignments.
• Ability to be self-motivated; complete multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with an eye for detail.
• Complete major studies and reports in a timely manner with minimal edits required.
• GIS knowledge and experience using ArcInfo and Arcview.
• Use of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint).
• Reviewing plats and site plans for conformance with Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances.
• Ability to effectively work with developers, builders, the general public, and other staff members.

Employee Benefit Information

• Health Insurance- BCBS
• Dental Insurance- BCBS
• Vision Insurance - EyeMed Insight
• Flexible Spending - Payflex
• Employees can set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for yearly out of pocket medical expenses. Subject to IRS annual limits and restrictions.
• Life Insurance- Dearborn National
• The City provides each employee with a life insurance policy of 3 times their annual salary up to a maximum of $150,000.
• Voluntary Term Life Option- Dearborn National
• This is additional low cost life insurance available to employees and their dependents.
• Employee Assistance Program- Deer Oaks
• Assists in recommending counselors for any city employee experiencing personal problems.
• Education Pay
• Employees can receive a monthly additional pay for Associates, Bachelors, Masters and PHD degrees.
• Social Security
• Employee participates at 7.65% contribution with matching city funds.
• Texas Municipal Retirement System
• Employees participate in a statewide retirement program at 7% contribution with a city match of 2:1.
• Five years vesting, 20 years retirement at any age.
• Vacation
• Non-civil service employees accrue 6.67 hours per month (2 weeks per year).
• All police employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).
• All Fire employees accrue 15 hours per month (7.5 - 24 hour shifts a year).
• Sick Leave
• Non-civil service employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).
• All police employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).
• All Fire employees accrue 15 hours per month (7.5 - 24 hour shifts a year).
• Holidays
• Non-civil service employees receive 13 paid holidays per year including one personal or "floating" day.
• Longevity Pay
• Earned at a rate of $4 per month.
• This is calculated on number of years of service up to and including 25 years (maximum $1200).
• Worker's Compensation
• Worker's compensation coverage is provided for all employees.
• Fire/Police
• Eligible for Education/Certification pay.
• Deferred Compensation Plans - Mass Mutual/Empower
• Payroll deduction for employee participation. City does not contribute.