Associate Land Use Planner - BZA

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES

The Department of Planning Services is a joint Fort Wayne and Allen County land use department that provides permitting, enforcement, long range planning and staffs the Board of Zoning Appeals and Plan Commissions for unincorporated Allen County and 5 community jurisdictions.

Vision

Planning Leadership, Community Collaboration, Service Excellence

Mission

We are dedicated to superior economic development and land planning services through:

Proactive Approach to Responsible development and growth

Empowered and knowledgeable employees

Supporting Communities

Providing accurate, consistent information

Offering technological resources

Timely and responsive service

Service Commitment

DPS is committed to delivering accurate, understandable information and consistent service in a friendly and respectful manner

For more information on the Department of Planning Services please visit our website at

Allen County Department of Planning Services

ASSOCIATE LAND USE PLANNER - BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

We are accepting applications for this position with a slated start date of January 5th.

Under the direction of the Senior Land Use Planner - Board of Zoning Appeals, the Associate Land Use Planner- Board of Zoning Appeals assists the public with land use issues, processes applications, schedules meetings and hearings, and coordinates the distribution of correspondence materials to the public, media, and board members, performs on-call duties, public outreach, and website/Accela review and management. This position is covered as defined by The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allen Employee Handbook.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Prepares staff report, findings-of-fact, and conditions on each request, and provides expertise and support to the Allen County and City of Boards of Zoning Appeals and Hearing Officer.

Updates agenda board for staff and prepares monthly presentations for all boards, commissions, and general information.

Responsible for assisting applicants with Board of Zoning Appeals specific applications and requests.

Responsible for participating in public meetings and hearings, preparing and making presentations to boards and committees, and meeting with staff and other government agencies.

Provides administrative and technical support to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Design Review Committee, Plan Commission, and the general public.

Responsible for using planning knowledge, ordinance standards, and project specifics to make recommendations.

Communicates with the general public, design community, developers, and elected officials on the Allen County and City of Fort Wayne Boards of Zoning Appeals.

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.

Conducts on-site review of proposals, assesses projects for zoning ordinance compliance, and provides comments to developers and designers.

Maintains records, reviews applications, and prepares agendas, notices, correspondences, findings, photographs, maps, and graphic materials.

Responds to phone calls, emails, and discussions with the general public for applications, potential applications, and general land use inquiries. Responds to requests for information, provides detailed and accurate information, advises on planning matters, and interacts with professionals associated with planning applications or projects.

Collects and researches information through the department's databases, papers filed, and the internet. Maintains data from hearings and meetings.

Acts as liaison between community groups, government agencies/departments, developers, and the general public.

Communicates with all parties as needed for correspondence and permit sign off.

Analyzes and disseminates project information in the Allen County/Fort Wayne online permitting system.

Use of Accela, Application Enhancer, Microsoft apps, and other technology used by the Department.

Responsible for participating in public meetings and hearings, preparing and making presentations to boards and committees, and meeting with staff and other government agencies.

Responsible for assisting with the management of the department's website by keeping agendas, minutes, notices, and staff reports.

Performs ARC/GIS mapping, including zoning map amendments, BZA, addressing, floodplain and customer mapping related to land use planning.

Develops process workflows and manuals for departmental operating procedures.

Administers addresses for all zoning jurisdictions.

Performs code enforcement duties for Board of Zoning Appeals approved projects, inspections, and related fieldwork.

Administers the Accela permitting system coordination including ticket submittals and ticket follow-up.

Review applications for wall and freestanding signs.

Performs all other duties as assigned, including overtime as required. REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Public Administration, Community Development, or related field with one year of experience in community development, planning, or related experience

Valid Driver's License to operate a county vehicle

Knowledge of planning principles and practices to review plans and apply ordinance standards to determine compliance

Strong written and oral communications skills to effectively communicate complicated information to coworkers, the general public, and other government bodies

Knowledge of research practices and principles to apply to current situations and issues

Strong customer service skills with the interest and willingness to work with others

Strong computer skills with the ability to learn and manage various computer programs including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, and other job-related software

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

The Land Use Specialist- Board of Zoning Appeals performs work that involves many variables and considerations when providing administrative and technical support to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Design Review Committee, Plan Commission, and the general public. Judgement is needed when maintaining records, reviewing applications, and preparing agendas, notices, correspondences, findings, photographs, maps, and graphic materials.

RESPONSIBILITY:

The Land Use Specialist - Board of Zoning Appeals provides substantial contributions when using planning knowledge, ordinance standards, and project specifics to make recommendations. Deviations from guidelines or practice are at the discretion of the employee when interpreting parcel legal descriptions.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

The Land Use Specialist - Board of Zoning Appeals maintains frequent contact with other county employees, other government officials, and the general public when providing administrative and technical support to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Design Review Committee, Plan Commission, and the general public.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Land Use Specialist - Board of Zoning Appeals works in an office environment with the ability to move about freely with frequent sitting, transcribing/proofreading, mental/visual effort, typing, and attention to detail. Some lifting of up to twenty pounds, bending, pushing/pulling loads, monitoring equipment, detailed inspection, exposure to extreme temperatures, and noise are to be expected.

SUPERVISION:

None

LICENSING:

Valid Driver's License to operate a county vehicle

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Senior Land Use Planner- Board of Zoning Appeals

HOURS:

40 hours/week; overtime as required

EEO CATEGORY:

1002

WORKERS'S COMP CODE:

8601