Planner I/II

Salary: $58,374.00 - $72,136.00 Annually
Location : Suffolk, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 03919
Department: PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMT
Opening Date: 04/30/2025
Closing Date: 5/14/:59 PM Eastern

Description
Under general supervision, performs technical and professional planning and research work in the City Planning and Community Development Department. Work involves providing information and assisting the general public with various forms and applications pertaining to proper land use and zoning; reviewing such applications to determine proper classification of property; enforcing compliance with zoning ordinances and codes; and preparing technical reports in areas such as land use, housing, environmental impact, zoning code development, etc. Employee may serve as liaison to various City Boards and Commissions as deemed necessary by the Director. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in ensuring compliance with land use ordinances and codes, and in completing other assigned tasks. Employee must also exercise tact and courtesy in frequent contact with property owners and the general public. Reports to the Principal Planner.

There are two (2) levels to this position distinguished by the level of work performed and experience of the individual.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Essential Job Functions

• Reviews site plans, subdivision plats, conditional use permits, variances, rezoning requests, etc., to determine and ensure compliance with State and local ordinances, codes and regulations pertaining to land use and zoning; prepares and mails correspondence regarding compliance with zoning codes and ordinances; prepares requests for summons and testifies in court in cases of unresolved code violations, as necessary.
• Prepares reports and gives presentations to the Planning Commission involving conditional use permit applications, rezoning requests, and subdivision variance requests.
• Handles administrative matters related to Historic Preservation planning issues.
• Provides assistance to the general public, City departments, local and state officials on planning, development and related matters; assists property owners in completing forms and applications administered by the department
• Processes Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act exception requests and development waivers.
• Performs technical site inspections of projects.
• Serves as liaison to various City Boards and Commissions as assigned by the Director, attends meetings and participates in activities of such Boards and Commissions, as appropriate.
• Operates automated office machines such as a computer, printer, print machine, copier, scale, calculator, two-way radio multi phone line.
• Plans and organizes daily job duties and establishes priorities for the completion of work.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications
Planner I - Bachelor's degree in planning, geography, public administration, or a related field, AND 6 months to 1 year of experience in urban planning, zoning administration/enforcement, historic preservation, surveying, or a related field; OR

Associate's degree AND 2 to 3 years of experience in urban planning, zoning administration/enforcement, historic preservation, surveying, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities; OR
Master's degree in urban planning, geography, public administration, or a related field, and less than 6 months of experience in urban planning, zoning administration/enforcement, historic preservation, surveying, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.
Planner II - Bachelor's degree in urban planning, geography, public administration, or a related field, and 2 to 3 years of experience in urban planning, zoning administration/enforcement, historic preservation, surveying, or a related field; OR

Master's degree in urban planning, geography, public administration, or a related field, and 1 - 2 years of experience in urban planning, zoning administration/enforcement, historic preservation, surveying, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

Requires a valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

• Ability to interpret the Unified Development Ordinance in order to assist the public.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from supervisors.
• Ability to read a variety of maps, site plans, correspondence, architectural drawings, etc. Requires the ability to prepare maps, permits, site plans, and other required reports and records, using proper format.
• Ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in various technical and professional languages, including engineering, legal and zoning terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; to determine percentages and decimals; and determine time and weight. Must be able to use practical applications of fractions, percentages, and ratio and proportion, and geometry.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate levels of stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and objectives of urban planning.
• Knowledge of the environmental and socioeconomic implications of the planning process.
• Knowledge of governmental programs, laws, grants and services pertinent to the planning process.
• Knowledge of City zoning ordinances and codes, and related land use regulations.
• Knowledge of the geographic and socio-economic layout of the City.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of urban planning.
• Skill in the collection, analysis and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations.
• Ability to use popular computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet and file maintenance programs.
• Ability to use manual and automated drafting tools and equipment.
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in contact with municipal, State and Federal officials and the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Seasonal Employees- No Benefits
Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)
Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;

Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members
Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.
Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.

Paid Time Off (PTO)Yearly earnings
120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)
Sick Leave
Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.

Personal Leave
All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.
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