at City of Wichita in Wichita, Kansas, United States
Job Description
Distinguishing Features of WorkIf you are a planning professional looking for an opportunity to grow, The Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department has an exciting opportunity for you. We are pleased to announce an opening for an Associate Planner-Current Plans Division. We are looking to create an innovative and dynamic team of hardworking, committed individuals with a passion for carrying out community goals. This position will be substantially focused on subdivision activities and applications. Under general supervision, the candidate will perform professional work and be responsible for working with City staff, community partners, consultants/developers and other stakeholders regarding City plans, zoning matters and development requirements. In this role, a successful candidate will assist/process a variety of current planning cases; including but not limited to: subdivision plats, lot splits, vacations, administrative adjustments, conditional uses, and zoning change requests. The amount of current plans case assignments could vary significantly, depending on the volume of applications and staffing levels. The Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) is a consolidated City-County Department, providing professional planning services to both local governments. The Department has an annual budget of approximately $2 million; 18 positions; and four divisions. Applicants are encouraged to review the department webpage at www.wichita.gov/planning for more information about the department and projects. The Greater Wichita region is a fantastic community. With an aviation heritage spanning more than 100 years, it is a community built on entrepreneurship and innovation. The Wichita region offers an amazing quality of life with a low-cost of living. The region boasts wonderful parks, more than 100 miles of bikeways, multiple museums, fabulous dining opportunities, hundreds of annual events, and more. Check out www.choosewichita.com for more information. More Information Applicants are encouraged to review the department webpage at www.wichita.gov/planning for more information about the department and projects. The days and hours for this position: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
Bargaining Unit: Employees Council ***Posting may close at anytime***
Examples of Work Performed
- Accepts applications for plats, lot splits, and other subdivision related cases.
- Conducts research and prepares technical reports relating to plats, lot splits, dedications, land use, economics, demographics, natural resource, urban design, and other planning fields.
- Prepares and presents written, oral, and visual reports including recommendations to City Council, Planning Commission, interest groups, and citizens regarding planning projects.
- Prepares staff reports on full range of planning issues following accepted practices and procedures, applying judgment and interpretation of subtle aspects of the regulations.
- Assists in developing public land use policy.
- Assists in maintaining and updating the City's comprehensive plan and implementing ordinances in accordance with adopted policies and state land use law.
- Reviews development applications for conformance with principles of good planning, compatibility with adjacent developments and for compliance with land use regulations.
- Interprets, analyzes and applies the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code and Subdivision Regulations. Coordinates information with other department/divisions and agencies as required for project management.
- Staffs the in-take desk a couple times per week and provides customer service by researching and answering general planning, zoning, and development questions from citizens and other interested parties.
- Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.
Requirements of Work
Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications Knowledge of: Principles, practices and methodologies of current and long-range planning and state land use laws; Techniques of planning research and municipal and regional procedures involved in urban planning, including understanding of the physical, social and economic concepts underlying planning work;
- Customer service principles;
- Research methods;
- Modern office principles and practices;
- City geography; and maps, land use data and other technical material associated with planning
- Interpreting and applying codes, regulations and laws;
- Providing good customer service;
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, other agencies and the public;
- Communicating clearly, both orally and in writing;
- Analyzing issues and preparing recommendations based on findings;
- Preparing professional correspondence and reports;
- Preparing and maintaining reports and records with accuracy;
- Prioritizing, managing and completing multiple project tasks;
- Ability to comprehend and apply concepts to solve problems;
- Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment
- Conducting research; and using a computer and related software applications
Required Experience and Training
Required Experience and Training
- A bachelor's degree.
- One year of planning experience.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.
Preferred Experience and Training
- A bachelor's or higher in planning.
- Two years of experience in planning.
- A valid American Planning Associate Certificate.
