Incumbent serves as Planning Officer, responsible for oversight of a variety of functions of the City planning office. Reports directly to Director of Community and Economic Development (herein referred to as Director).
DUTIES:
Short-term planning: Serves as primary staff for the Planning Board. Set Planning Board agenda, prepare bi-monthly staff memorandum to Planning Board containing description of agenda items, citing applicable ordinances, statutes and comprehensive plan studies, and providing staff recommendations for approval or denial as required.
Long-term planning: Regular review of development trends, subdivision and zoning regulations, population and housing statistics, and land use laws and best practices. Update city ordinances to create more accessible regulations and incorporate emerging planning trends such as neo-traditional planning and performance standards.
Review of all application petitions requiring Planning Board and/or City Council action including Maine Department of Environmental Protection site location of development, site development plan, planned unit development, subdivision, and zoning requests. Evaluate development proposals for consistency with ordinance, statutory regulations and consistency with comprehensive plan.
Oversight of notices, exhibits, charts, and maps submitted to Planning Board, media, and abutting property owners.
Daily engagement with citizens, developers, design professionals, and consultants regarding design, appropriate land uses, and city policy under established local, state, and federal laws, rules, and guidelines. Explain regulations and recommendations and negotiate compliance with established rules and policies.
Review of zoning map amendments and zoning text amendments for consistency with comprehensive plan and city zoning policy. Attendance at public workshops and hearings are required.
Oversight of maintenance of Zoning Map and Official Map.
Staff or supervise the staffing of the Historic Preservation Commission, Mall Marsh Commission, and all associated tasks.
Participates in special programs and projects involving redevelopment, capital improvement projects, grant applications, and community workshops.
Collects, compiles, and analyzes socio-economic data and statistics for use in technical studies or reports. Writes detailed or technical reports of all findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on a thorough analysis and interpretation of data for presentation to others.
Assists other divisions and departments as requested and/or assigned by the Director in their projects and initiatives related to planning.
Lead all major updates of the comprehensive plan. Utilize data on demographics, housing, economics, natural/historic resources, land use/zoning, and community facilities to inform planning work. Implement recommendations from community planning studies.
Prepare comprehensive plan amendments and land use reports.
Maintains and updates census/demographic information on City-wide basis, as well as for the planning districts/census tracts.
As assigned by the Director, assists other city departments with planning projects including but not limited to master plans, feasibility studies and design development projects.
Prepare other planning studies as may be assigned by the Director.
Attend conferences and workshops pertinent to the efficient administration of the department and to keep current in planning & development professional practice.
Perform related duties as assigned.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Professional planner with at least five to seven years of direct municipal planning experience. Preference given to planners with knowledge of Maine planning laws and Maine DEP site law and shoreland zoning.
Current professional certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners preferred.
Master’s degree in planning preferred or a combination of formal and relevant on the job experience.
Planning Officer should have experience in implementation of comprehensive plans, community outreach, budgeting, capital improvement programming and management, growth management, zoning and related land use regulations, design review, historic preservation, and economic development.
Incumbent must possess planning knowledge in land use planning and its relationship to all other aspects of urban planning. Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply land use planning laws, regulations, guidelines, and codes as they relate to various circumstances and situations with Planning Board and other governmental bodies.
Ability to gather and analyze demographic and geographic information.
Ability to provide extensive support of Planning Board, City Council, advisory councils and other groups.
Incumbent must be a self-starter able to work in a fast-paced environment, and be able to manage multiple projects.
Experience in development review and approval process. Familiarity with all aspects of zoning and subdivision regulations and be experienced in comprehensive planning for land use, transportation, etc.
Strong communication skills (verbal and written) are required, particularly the ability to concisely communicate complex planning issues with public officials, coworkers, and the general public.
Position may require travel to off-site meetings within Bangor and surrounding communities.
Familiarity with and ability to use standard office computer systems and equipment.
II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK
Advanced professional work involving complex analytical tasks related to city planning activities and operations. Extensive practical knowledge of local comprehensive planning techniques and principles, development regulations, code revisions and amendments, and zoning. Independent judgement is required in adapting various rules, regulations, and customary practices of department to perform a wide variety of planning and development tasks.
III. RESPONSIBILITY
Incumbent performs according to customary practices of the department and general instructions from department supervisors. Incumbent is direct supervisor for planning division staff.
IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS
Work closely with local elected and appointed officials, their staffs, design professionals, developers, citizen groups, general public, and staff for the purpose of explaining and interpreting policies and regulations of department and Planning Board.
Pay range is $31.16 - $41.85 per hour and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Applications must be received at the Human Resources Office, Bangor City Hall, 73 Harlow Street, Bangor, Maine 04401. A new online/mobile-friendly application is now available at: City of Bangor - Application for Employment (Page 1 of 7) (office.com) . Applications will be received until the position is filled and interviews may be scheduled after applications are reviewed. Thank you for your interest!
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER