Planner

Department: Planning FLSA Status: Exempt Hiring Salary: $56,225 -- $67,469 Welcome, ‘ist das Leben schön!’ (Life is good!) At the City of New Braunfels, we seek out people ready to serve the community, plan for the future, and preserve our well-renowned natural beauty. Our five Core Values serve as a cornerstone of our work: Integrity, Service, Visionary Leadership, Stewardship of Resources, and Cultural Heritage. Do our values speak to you?   What we’re looking for: A motivated and collaborative individual to join the Neighborhood & Community Planning Department.  You will continue to successfully serve the current and future needs of the New Braunfels community. Under general supervision, performs professional, technical and specialized planning work. This includes but is not limited to data research and analysis, land use planning, environmental/natural resource planning, ordinance and document writing, and developing standards and programs to implement plans. The person filling this position will also assist internal and external customers, coordinate the resolution of issues between various divisions and departments, build and maintain relationships, deliver presentations, apply planning, subdivision platting, and zoning standards to development projects, and assist with board or commission administration. Benefits & Total Rewards: Our City team members are our most valuable asset! We offer Total Rewards when you join our team. Competitive medical, dental and vision insurance 2:1 match on retirement contribution Paid volunteer time off – 16 hours per year Vacation accrual starts at date of hire – up to 120 hours annually your first year Get paid to stay – longevity pay on top of your regular pay after one full year Tuition reimbursement program Bilingual pay offered Keep learning – professional and personal development training available The responsibilities you’ll be trusted with: The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties. Participates in and contributes to special assignments, projects, surveys, long range plans, and community engagement activities based on expertise, area of assignment, or opportunities for professional development; may serve as a team lead on certain topics or issues. Performs research and gathers data on population, demographics, housing, land ownership, land use, long and short range planning, transportation, historic resources, environmental factors, natural resources, and economics; analyzes, interprets and arranges data; incorporates public input; formulates data-driven recommendations; prepares reports, white papers, studies, plans, policies, or public engagement materials; delivers presentations. Answers inquiries and assists internal and external customers to assure project plans are in conformance with local ordinances, comprehensive plan, strategic plan, and other adopted plan or study goals, and/or to meet guidelines of state or federal laws which could include environmental, architectural or historic considerations. Reviews applications and technical documents for conformance with ordinances, project specifications or conditions of approval; may be called upon to conduct design review. Provides case management services including technical assistance for customers who submit applications for rezoning, variances, subdivision plats, or other planning and development related issues. Provides technical support to boards, commissions and City Council; may be assigned to administer a board or commission: this would entail providing commissioner orientation and training, meeting management, technical assistance, and application processing. Develops maps and other graphics to illustrate land use plans and planning concepts; performs GIS analysis for zoning and planning needs; assists in maintaining land planning records, files and maps. Assists with tracking Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Plan, and Land Use Fiscal Analysis implementation. Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Customer Bulletins, and Code Interpretations. Develops cooperative professional relationships with customers, residents, applicants, appointed board and commission members, state agencies, professional associations, neighborhood groups, and the general public. Performs other duties and fulfills responsibilities as assigned or required. Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter most for this role: Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Urban, Community, or Regional Planning, Urban Studies/Affairs, Geography, Business, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, or related field; AND two (2) years’ experience in city planning, development services, public administration, historic preservation, or construction science; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required Licenses or Certifications: Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License. Membership in the American Planning Association is preferred. Required Knowledge of: Local government organization, operations, policies and procedures. Principles, techniques, terminology and practices employed in urban, regional and/or rural planning, community and land development, land use, zoning, subdivision platting, housing policy, urban design, historic preservation, transportation planning, tree preservation, and environmental stewardship. Federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations pertaining to planning, zoning, subdivision platting, historic preservation, and the environment, and an understanding of their legal basis. Basic GIS software applications and methods. Research methods and techniques. Familiarity with grant program