Principal Land Use Planner

Memorialcoliseum; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading municipality is seeking a Principal Land Use Planner - Special Projects to guide land use planning and zoning efforts in Allen County. This role involves drafting regulations, conducting research, and providing technical assistance aimed at community development initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and analytical skills, a solid background in urban planning, and the ability to navigate complex zoning issues within the communities served.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience in community development or planning required.
• Valid Driver’s License required to operate county vehicles.
• Ability to effectively communicate complicated information.

Responsibilities

• Research and draft zoning ordinances and comprehensive plans.
• Review floodplain development plans for compliance with regulations.
• Provide technical assistance regarding zoning ordinances.

Skills

Planning principles and practices

Research practices

Strong written and oral communications

Strong customer service skills

Strong computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Public Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

ArcGIS

Job description

Planning Services - Department, Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America

Job Description

PRINCIPAL LAND USE PLANNER - SPECIAL PROJECTS

Department: Department of Planning Services FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Classification/Level: Professional, A7 Date: 05/2025

Under the direction of the Senior Land Use Planner- Special Projects, the Principal Land Use Planner- Special Projects is responsible for p roviding professional assistance in the development, review, and approval of guiding plans, ordinances, strategic plans, and reports on land use issues through drafting, reviewing, developing, and interpretation of related guiding documents in the development and redevelopment of Allen County, City of Fort Wayne, City of Woodburn and the Towns of Huntertown, Grabill and Monroeville . This position is covered as defined by The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allen Employee Handbook.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

• Researches and drafts multiple zoning ordinances and comprehensive plan amendments and updates for Allen County, Fort Wayne, Grabill, Huntertown, Monroeville, and Woodburn.
• Coordinates with the New Allen Alliance and incorporated cities and towns in Allen County, providing technical planning assistance for rezoning, development, utility issues, ordinance, flood map interpretation, development/monitoring of community and area plans.
• Assists with planning and zoning coordination with the Town of Leo-Cedarville and the City of New Haven.
• Coordinates and oversees public input processes for zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan amendments and updates.
• Presents proposed zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan amendments and updates to Allen County and the City of Fort Wayne Plan Commissions, the Allen County Board of Commissioners, Fort Wayne and Allen County Councils, the City of Woodburn, and the Towns of Monroeville, Grabill and Huntertown.
• Reviews proposed and completed floodplain development certified plans, cut and fill plans, soil compaction test results, construction drawings, elevation certificates, under construction elevation certificates, and finished construction elevation certificates for compliance with the floodplain regulations.
• Reviews revised certified plans and elevation certificates for compliance and replies with detailed written review comments for deficient submissions. Verifies the development complies with the floodplain regulations.
• Reviews public submissions requesting a signature for Community Acknowledgement Forms and Community Concurrence Forms related to applications for Flood Insurance Rate Maps Letters of Map Change from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• Performs review of permits and development projects to determine if the proposed development is within proximity or in a regulated Special Flood Hazard Area.
• Communicates additional technical certified information necessary to ensure the proposed development will meet the requirements of the floodplain regulations.
• Verifies finished projects and proposed development meet the requirements of floodplain regulations.
• Provides oral and written technical assistance pertaining to floodplain ordinance regulations and interpretations, methods of implementation focused on the specific floodplain project situation, and department requirements to citizens, private professionals, local government departments, and public agencies.
• Administers the National Flood Insurance Program for Allen County, City of Fort Wayne, Huntertown, Monroeville, Grabill, and Woodburn and the Community Ratings System.
• Engages in continuous communications with local, state, and federal agencies on issues related to floodplain administration, development, and compliance.
• Works with Land Use staff members to identify issues to address future zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan amendments and updates.
• Assists with the coordination of Accela projects and service tickets.

Assists Land Use staff members with the interpretation and application of the Allen County, Fort Wayne, Grabill, Huntertown, Monroeville, and Woodburn zoning ordinances. Monitors and oversees work done by other department staff on zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan amendments and updates. Provides analysis on a wide range of departmental issues and enterprise strategic planning projects. Drafts, reviews, and provides advice to elected officials in the request of proposals, work contracts, and the awarding of consultant contracts. Coordinates activities of multiple project consultants and reviews and approves consultant work projects.

• Fulfills research requests for information and guidance on zoning ordinances and department policies and procedures.
• Performs ArcGIS mapping, including zoning map amendments, BZA, addressing, floodplain and customer mapping related to land use planning.
• Oversees department records management system and system coordinator for Accela.
• Communicates by telephone, emails, letters, and face-to-face with the public including applicants, potential applicants, and general land use inquiries.
• Compile and research information through the Department of Planning Services’ storage database, other government databases, paper files, and the internet.
• Maintains and organizes data from projects and correspondence.
• Assists with a variety of Department activities including but not limited to the review and approval of Improvement Location Permits, processing zoning ordinance complaints, and conducting on-site project site inspections.
• Reviews petitions and plans for changes in land use and for compliance with zoning ordinance.
• Provides analytical and statistical information, builds and utilizes reports, and creates presentations to analyze office processes, trends, and community views for use in updating departmental generated reports, rules, and procedures.
• Performs all other duties as assigned, including overtime as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Public Administration, Community Development, Information Technology, or related field with three years of experience in community development, planning, information technology, or related experience
• Valid Driver’s License to operate a county vehicle
• Knowledge of planning principles and practices to review plans and the ability to apply ordinance standards to determine compliance
• Strong written and oral communications skills, including public speaking to effectively communicate complicated information to coworkers, the public, and other government bodies
• Knowledge of research practices and principles to apply to write reports and answer applicant questions
• Strong customer service skills with interest and willingness to work with others
• Strong computer skills with the ability to use Microsoft Word and the ability to learn various computer programs including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, Canva and other job-related software

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

The Principal Land Use Planner- Special Projects performs work that is broad in scope and involves significant consideration when reviewing proposed and completed floodplain development certified plans, cut and fill plans, soil compaction test results, construction drawings elevation certificates, under construction elevation certificates, and finished construction elevation certificates for compliance with the floodplain regulations. Judgement is used when reviewing and approving public submissions requesting a signature for Community Acknowledgement Forms and Community Concurrence Forms related to applications for Flood Insurance Rate Maps Letters of Map Change from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. P erforms work that is broad in scope and involves significant consideration when administering permit review process by coordinating with applicants, staff, and other government agencies. Judgment is used when processing and approving commercial and industrial permits. Displays professionalism when developing and presenting Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan amendments to Councils, Boards and Commissions.

RESPONSIBILITY:

The Principal Land Use Planner- Special Projects provides substantial contributions when fulfilling research requests for information and guidance on zoning ordinances and department policies and procedures. Provides substantial contributions when performing reviews of permits and development projects to determine if the proposed development is within close proximity or in a regulated Special Flood Hazard Area. Provides expert technical services related to our Accela permitting system and document management software. Purpose and desired results are indicated when communicating by telephone, emails, letters, and face-to-face with the public including applicants, potential applicants, and general land use inquiries.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

The Principal Land Use Planner- Special Projects maintains frequent contact with other county employees, other government officials, and the public when coordinating the Fort Wayne and Allen County permitting process.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Principal Land Use Planner- Special Projects works in a standard office environment with the ability to move about freely frequently sitting and transcribing/proofreading and very frequent mental/visual effort, typing, and attention to detail. Some lifting of up to twenty pounds, bending, pushing/pulling loads, monitoring equipment, and detailed inspection are to be expected.

SUPERVISION:

None

LICENSING:

Valid Driver’s License to operate a county vehicle

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Senior Land Use Planner- Special Projects

HOURS:

40 hours/week; overtime as required

EEO CATEGORY:

1002

WORKERS’S COMP CODE:

8601

Please complete the application accurately and thoroughly. A resume is optional. Remember to save and submit your application. If applying for multiple positions, submit a separate application for each one. You'll receive an email confirmation once your application is received. Due to the high volume of applications, further communication will only occur if you're selected for an interview.

Please complete the application accurately and thoroughly. A resume is optional. Remember to save and submit your application. If applying for multiple positions, submit a separate application for each one. You'll receive an email confirmation once your application is received. Due to the high volume of applications, further communication will only occur if you're selected for an interview.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO). Accordingly, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, disability or medical condition, national origin, and veteran status, and all other categories protected by federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. Reasonable accommodations for persons with a known disabling condition will be considered in accordance with State and Federal Law.

Planning Services - Department, Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America