Planner

OVERVIEW

The City of Kingman is located in Mohave County approximately 100 miles southeast of Las Vegas and 195 miles northwest of Phoenix nestled between the beautiful Cerbat and Hualapai Mountain Ranges along historic Route 66. In 2019, Reader’s Digest named Kingman one of the “Nicest Places in Arizona” for its thoughtful residents and spirit of generosity. In addition to its small-town look and feel, the area also offers a wide range of recreational activities that include hiking, bike and ATV trails, camping, golf, beautiful parks, historical attractions, nearby lakes, and the Colorado River. With more than 400 full and part-time employees across 30 divisions, the City of Kingman provides exceptional public services to over 30,000 residents. Our focus on high-quality customer service, safety, and teamwork underpins our efforts to foster an atmosphere where citizens and businesses can thrive.

For more information about the City of Kingman, please see our Open Finance Portal, Choose Kingman Economic Development page, and our Go Kingman tourism page for more information.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

Performs a variety of routine and complex administrative, technical and professional work in the current planning programs of the city related to the implementation of land use and related municipal plans and policies. Provides experienced technical assistance to developers and the general public to achieve compliance with the City’s planning and zoning policies and procedures in the Planning and Economic Development department; Performs professional planning, research, data analysis, and report writing duties; Assures that City codes, policies and procedures are followed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Architecture, Business or Public Administration or closely related field and
• One – three (1-3) years professional planning experience, preferably municipal and/or county planning experience within Arizona.
• Any combination of education, experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge and experience to perform the work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Arizona Driver’s license or ability to obtain one prior to employment.
• Possess professional certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or ability to obtain certification within one (1) year of hire to the position.

Essential Functions are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills. They are intended to be accurate summaries of what the job classification involves and what is required to perform it.

• Provides information, interprets and explains land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans and related planning programs, services or regulations to architects, engineers, developers, contractors, owners, community groups and the general public.
• Reviews development and related land use permit applications, site plans, variance applications, etc.
• Examines and makes recommendations on business license applications, special event applications and building permits to ensure compliance with established plans and ordinances, and applicable local, State or Federal regulations, as well as zoning, sign and related regulations
• Solicits input for appropriate staff, schedules hearings and actions, monitors through the approval process, enforces compliance with regulations.
• Assists the public with inquiries and problems in submitting applications for development plans, proposed zoning changes, variances, conditional use permits, text amendments, subdivision plats, and General Plan amendments.
• Conducts property and site inspections.
• Administers the sign code; Reviews and approves sign permit applications.
• Provides technical assistance for planning projects.
• Provides staff support to City boards and commissions as needed and assigned.
• Enforces zoning ordinance violations through activities to include field inspection, personal contacts, and written communications.
• Prepares presentations and reports to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.
• Prepares graphics and maps for a variety of reports, plans, grant applications, publications or meetings.
• Performs research, compiles data, reviews case files, and writes reports for review by department staff and City commissions and committees.
• Prepares and presents assigned planning and zoning cases and issues.
• May facilitate pre-development meetings to review and discuss project proposals; Coordinates meetings with staff from other City departments and public meetings for neighborhood residents.
• Represents the City at meetings with outside organizations and citizen groups; Leads or participates in meetings.
• May be required to adjust work schedule to be present early mornings, evenings, nights, holidays or weekends as needed.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies and procedures; follows safety policies and practices, works in a safe manner, and reports unsafe activity and conditions.
• Assists with review of lot combine/uncombined, parcel plats, subdivisions, site plans, text amendment and other reviews conducted by the Development Services.
• Conduct General Plan and Zoning Map verification and familiar with GIS and aerial mapping systems.
• Use Permit System for tracking permits, projects, zoning violations cases and more.
• Create and regularly update spreadsheets and various databases for recordkeeping and file maintenance principles and procedures.
• Keep organized files of projects and meet project and meeting deadlines.
• Research property history, ownership and prepares zoning verification letters.
• Familiar with reviewing recorded subdivision plats, record of surveys, parcel plats and other recorded information in relation to property history.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

• Serves as a member of various staff committees as assigned.
• Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of municipal planning.
• Assists other planning staff members in City administrative functions as assigned.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Performs special assignments as requested.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of land use planning/development and zoning laws and comprehensive plans including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement; economic development and related principles, methodologies, processes, and practices.
• Research methods and sources of information necessary to City planning functions.
• Working knowledge of City’s master plan and development documents, philosophy, processes, and goals; City codes regulating development review and design standards, including public review and hearing processes.
• Personal computers utilizing standard and specialized software, including GIS software applications.
• Customer service methods and techniques.
• Sources and methods of data collection and analysis.
• Operation of the listed tools and equipment.
• Accurately checks designs, details, estimates, plans, and specifications of planning projects.
• Maintaining accurate and interrelated technical records.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Maintaining a professional demeanor during stressful situations, working under pressure and/or frequent interruptions.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Apply planning principles to work assignments and develop creative solutions to problems.
• Collect and analyze planning, development and demographic data.
• Communicate with and instruct others, using technical and non-technical language to explain complex subjects and processes.
• Observe and adhere to proper safety precautions.