Planner

Planner

City of Ames

Closing Date: 5/30/2023 at 5:00 PM

General Information

The City of Ames has an exciting opportunity for an Planner to provide support to the City's Planning

and Housing Department!

Under general supervision, the Planner works independently to implement the City's development

standards, including zoning, subdivision, and other regulations. This is both a front-line planning

position working directly with customers on development proposals, permitting, code compliance,

and inquiries; and also a long-range planning position involved in comprehensive planning,

research, and policy development. The Planner is more experienced with an increased degree of

complexity/diversity of project assignments and project management responsibilities than an

Assistant Planner. Performs related work as required.

Regular work hours are Monday through Friday days; some night and possibly weekend meetings

are required.

The City of Ames offers a comprehensive benefits package for employees. Our comprehensive

benefits package can be viewed at: City of Ames Benefits

In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the

deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental

questions.

Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or

answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient. Supplemental questions must be completed

to be considered for this position.

The City of Ames is currently conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for

Planner. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil

Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. There is

currently one vacancy in this position. In addition, the City of Ames Civil Service employees who

have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily

demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the

deadline indicated.

Examples of Essential Job Functions

The Planner reviews plans and prepares reports on development requests as part of the City's

development review process; presents findings to commissions and boards for variances,

exceptions, special use permits, certificates of appropriateness pertaining to historic structures, and

similar current planning applications. Provides information and assistance to developers and to

citizens regarding development approval requirements. Assists the general public with planning and

zoning questions and refers citizens to other resources as needed. Performs special studies

pertaining to land use, environment, economic development, growth projections, annexations, etc.

Makes presentations to boards, commissions, and City Council on planning reports including

impacts, conclusions and recommendations. Performs field inspections, surveys and studies. Utilizes

GIS and other resources to compile data, perform requested data analyses and mapping in support

of project review and research. Maintains the City's zoning and land use maps. Ensures compliance

of zoning, subdivision and related codes and performs essential duties of enforcement proceedings,

including filing Municipal Infractions and testifying in court. Work with Neighborhood Associations

and complete outreach activities.

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence

Through People organizational culture. ETP values include committing to continuous improvement;

inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions;

committing to diversity, equity and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for

excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership;

choosing a positive attitude; respecting one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating

teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all

employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver

exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable

and stimulating work environment.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

-Bachelor's degree in planning, geography or closely related field.

-Four years experience in private or municipal government planning office.

Professional internships may count for no more than the equivalency of 1 year of full time

professional employment.

Licenses and Certificates:

-Valid driver's license required.

AICP certification is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of planning principles, planning laws, and new concepts

on planning. Knowledge of word processing software. Knowledge of computer applications,

functions and their application to administration of development regulations. Experience with GIS,

specifically using ESRI ArcMap version 10.8 and ArcGis Pro, creating and editing spatial and attribute

data, developing maps, and analyzing spatial information is beneficial. Experience with EnerGov

permit software is beneficial.

Skill in verbal and written communication. Skill in performing mathematical computations.

Ability to work effectively with the Director of Planning and Housing to develop a consistent format

in reports and correspondences, and to develop a rational, consistent and defensible application of

codes and policies. Lead project teams in development and review of complex projects. Ability to

identify and implement innovative planning concepts. Ability to research and learn state codes and

law pertaining to annexation, land use, subdivision, local zoning laws and municipal codes. Ability to

conduct field surveys, collect and analyze data.

Ability to prepare staff reports, to review and analyze development proposals, and to make

effective written and oral presentations to the general public. Participate in preparation of and in

attendance of public meetings, including evening meetings. Ability to coordinate and prioritize

multiple projects and meet deadlines. Ability to establish and to maintain an effective working

relationship with City staff, developers, and the citizens of Ames.

Supplemental Information

Physical And Environmental Characteristics:

Required Physical Activities: Talking, hearing, walking, standing (for presentations), grasping and

finger dexterity.

Physical Characteristics of Work: Work is primarily sedentary and requires sitting approximately

85% of the time, and standing and/or walking 15% of the time. Requires the exertion of up to 10

pounds of force routinely, and the exertion of up to 25 pounds of force infrequently to lift or

otherwise move objects.

Vision Requirements: The minimum requirement for those whose work deals largely with preparing

and analyzing data and written information; visual inspection of maps and plans; and the use of a

computer monitor.

Environmental Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental

conditions.

Examples of Equipment Used on the Job: Computer equipment including keyboard, monitor, and

printer. Computer software such as word processing and GIS applications. General office equipment

such as writing utensils, paper fasteners, paper cutter, files and file cabinets, photocopy machine,

and calculator. Communications equipment such as telephone and fax machine. Operating motor

vehicle. Specialized equipment used in planning such as engineers and architects equipment and

scales.

Printed materials such as maps, site plans, plats, aerial photographs, topographic maps,

correspondence, state and municipal codes, and federal regulations.

Work Hours: Regular work hours are Monday through Friday days; some night and possibly

weekend meetings are required.

Selection Process:

The selection process consists of an evaluation of education, experience and supplemental

questions, phone interview, on-site interview, and completion of a criminal background check,

which includes a sex offender registry check. All candidates will be notified by email of their

application status.

Depending on the number of qualified candidates the hiring department may forego phone

interviews.

Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.

NOTE: Applicants with disabilities may submit requests for ADA testing or interview

accommodations to the Human Resources Department prior to the test or interview.

The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will

receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual

orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability,

or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the

Human Resources Department at 515-239-5199.

E-Verify Process:

The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA)

and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each

applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with

the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to

work in the United States and proof of their identity on their first day of employment. Please be

prepared to provide required documents on your first day of employment. For additional

information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at

515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at:

http://www.uscis.gov.

Compensation Philosophy:

The City of Ames has a compensation philosophy that the starting pay for our merit salary ranges

establishes the salary for employees who meet minimum requirements of a position. The median of

any merit salary range is for an employee who can reasonably meet all expectations of the position

responsibilities without initial extensive training. In order for employees to have an opportunity to

grow within their position, we consider a candidate's education, experience, and skills above the

minimum requirements when looking at a salary closer to the median. The median for this position

is $82,722 per year.

Planner Supplemental Questionnaire

*QUESTION 1

Regular work hours are Monday through Friday days; some night and possibly weekend meetings are required. Are

you available to work these hours?

Yes

No

*QUESTION 2

Will you have a valid driver's license at the time of hire?

Yes

No

*QUESTION 3

Do you have a bachelor's degree in planning, geography or closely related field.

Yes

No

*QUESTION 4

Please describe the field your degree is in.

*QUESTION 5

Do you have four years experience in private or municipal government planning office.

Yes

No

QUESTION 6

Describe your experience in private or municipal government planning offices. Please include length of time.

*QUESTION 7

Do you hold AICP certification?

Yes

No

*QUESTION 8

Please describe your experience with MS office software products, Permitting Software, and GIS software to

prepare reports, maps, analysis, and exhibits. Also identify how often you write reports for review by Boards and

Commissions and you experience presenting reports to a Board or Commission.

*QUESTION 9

List examples of work done in discretionary permit review and processing. Specifically, describe the types of

permits reviewed and your role in the process.

*QUESTION 10

Please describe your experience in drafting and/or reviewing long-range planning documents including

comprehensive plans, new zoning and/or zoning text amendments, and design guidelines, etc. Specifically, indicate

your direct involvement and the role you played

*QUESTION 11

What experience do you have working with neighborhoods and interest groups related to neighborhood planning

and community development? Describe if this experience relates to working with a neighborhood on a particular

development proposal and/or in another capacity.

*QUESTION 12

Please describe your interest in working for the City of Ames and what you know of its planning priorities.

* Required Question