Planning Manager

Job Title: Planning Manager

Salary range: $74,484.80 to $86,403.20 DOE/Q

Location: Sitka, Alaska - Up to $15,000 sign-on bonus available DOE/DOQ and commitment

Department: Planning & Community Development

Hours: Full-Time; Benefitted

Start date: Negotiable

Job Description:

General Statement of Duties

This is a highly visible management position which administers the City's zoning, subdivision, and land acquisition/disposal codes. The Planning Manager will work extensively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with existing codes and develop new codes, policies, projects, and programs to address community planning needs. The Planning Manager will work closely with the Planning and Community Development Director to perform research and analysis regarding the overall planning, zoning, community and economic development, land management, and related functions within the City and Borough of Sitka.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

Reports to the Planning and Community Development Director. Works independently with direction from the Planning and Community Development Director or designee to ensure coordination of objectives and priorities of the City and Assembly. Supervises the Planner I within the Planning and Community Development Department. Works in accordance with City policies, procedures, municipal code, and various state and federal regulations. Serves as staff liaison to the Planning Commission, preparing and presenting staff reports and other necessary information or correspondence.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

  • Zoning Code Administration: Provides the public with information regarding the zoning code and interprets code applicability to private and public developments. Enforces the provisions of the zoning code in accordance with Sitka General Code, Department policy, and other pertinent state and federal laws/regulations. Oversees application intake and processing procedures including cross-departmental review for conditional use permits, special use permits, variances, and zoning amendments. Oversees Planning review and approval of foundation and building permits. Oversees Planning review and approval of business registrations and home occupations.
  • Subdivision Code Administration: Provides the public with information regarding the subdivision code and interprets applicability to private and public developments. Enforces the provisions of the subdivision code in accordance with Sitka General Code, Department policy, and other pertinent state and federal laws/regulations. Oversees application intake and processing procedures including cross-departmental review for minor subdivisions, boundary line adjustments, replats and plat modifications, major subdivisions, and platting variances.
  • Land Acquisition and Disposal: Provides the public with information regarding the process for disposal of city-owned lands including real property, tidelands, and right-of-way vacations. Oversees application intake and processing procedures for land disposal requests. Provides guidance to the public, city staff, and elected officials on procedures for city land acquisition. Assists with the drafting of bid requests, requests for proposals, leases, and/or sales documents for city-owned land disposals. Assists with compliance efforts for Department managed leases.
  • Planning Commission Support: Serves as the primary staff liaison to the Planning Commission, attending all Commission meetings. Provides a written and oral staff report for all planning cases including zoning, subdivision, and land acquisition and disposal applications requiring Commission review and/or approval. Ensures accurate and timely publishing of meeting agendas, packets, and minutes in accordance with Sitka General Code requirements. Ensures compliance with the Open Meetings Act and any other pertinent state or federal laws/regulations. Ensures meeting proceedings adhere to Robert's Rules of Order. Responsible for proper documentation and record retention of planning cases and Commission documents in accordance with City policy.
  • Lands Information: Provides information to the public and City staff on land ownership, land use regulations, and other land records. Maintains the City's Geographical Information System (GIS) through management of contracted GIS services, ensuring accurate information and public accessibility.
  • Long-Range Planning and Community Development: Works closely with the Planning and Community Development Director on strategic approaches and planning efforts regarding community and economic development, growth management, land use and management, housing, preserving community character, and historic preservation. Proactively monitors the need for improvements to relevant codes and City policies to achieve the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Plan, Assembly policy direction, and the Department.
  • Personnel Management and Teamwork: Develops and maintains a Planning team committed to, and with highly developed competencies in, customer service, results orientation, and teamwork. Trains, assigns, prioritizes, supervises, motivates, and evaluates the work of the Planner I. Keeps the Planning and Community Development Director fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems. May serve as the Acting Planning and Community Development Director in their absence. Works collaboratively across City departments.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Comprehensive knowledge of current practices and procedures involved in planning within a municipality including land use regulations, land development practices, local government operations, administration of zoning and subdivision regulations, GIS development and maintenance procedures, and general knowledge of State and Federal real estate law, land mapping and disposal practices, and land record resources.
  • Ability to develop and manage plans, projects, and initiatives related to municipal planning.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, other departments, elected officials, the media, and the public.
  • Excellent project management skills, including skill in planning, organizing, evaluating, analyzing problems, making decisions, time management and implementing plans.
  • Problem analysis and decision-making, adaptability/flexibility, and stress tolerance in a highly visible public environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills including public presentation skills.
  • Conduct self at all times in an ethical, professional, and respectful manner.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with citizens and stakeholders, both internal and external.
  • Foster meaningful discussion with the public and create effective forums for public input while moving the Department's programs forward.
  • Quickly grasp and manage highly complex and technical issues in a fast-paced environment and in a context of inter-related and sometimes conflicting stakeholder and governmental requirements.
  • Interpret, explain, and apply complex guidelines, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Articulate the Department's goals and work in an understandable and appropriate manner for the particular audience or individual.
  • Work independently but under general policy and strategic guidance.
  • Willingness and ability to demonstrate the Public Service Competencies of Service Orientation, Results Orientation, Teamwork, and Cooperation.
  • Maintain consistent and punctual attendance.
  • Physically perform the essential functions of the position, including: correctable visual acuity to read a computer screen and a typeset page; fine finger dexterity to manipulate computer keyboard and mouse; and ability to talk and hear sufficiently to communicate with city officials, employees and the public.

Acceptable Experience and Training

  • Bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, or related field. Master's degree is considered a plus.
  • Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in planning, with a particular emphasis on zoning and subdivision code administration. Management experience is considered a plus.
  • American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification is considered a plus.
  • In place of the above requirements, any combination of relevant education and experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

Required Special Qualifications

  • Experience in a community with active citizen involvement and experiencing significant growth.
  • Effective work with elected officials, advisory boards, community, environmental and business groups.
  • Possession of a driver's license issued by the State of Alaska.

Essential Physical Abilities

  • The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
  • Work is performed primarily in an office setting subject to frequent interruptions and site visits to various City and community facilities and active construction project sites often in inclement weather, with muddy or icy conditions. May be exposed to highly stressful situations and individuals who are irate or hostile; may be subject to long hours due to attendance at Commission meetings, and other responsibilities required at this management level. Flexibility to work evening and weekend hours and occasional overnight travel to conferences and training sessions required.

BENEFITS 

  • PERS Defined Contribution Retirement
  • SBS Annuities program - 6.13% match
  • Employer Paid Life Insurance (employee and dependents)
  • Medical Dental Vision (90%/10% employer/employee paid) (employee and dependents)
  • Annual Leave & Sick Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Floating Holidays
  • Eligible for 457 Retirement Plans
  • Eligible for Supplemental Insurance Plans

The City and Borough of Sitka is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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