The Urban Land Use Planner performs, coordinates, develops, designs, and administers professional and technical planning work for the City to include preparing and updating functional plans and assisting City officials in formulating policies addressing urban design, community development, and physical development issues.
Full description and application available here.
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)
- Prepares and updates as needed the Comprehensive Plan and other planning studies including but not limited to neighborhood and district plans and sustainability plans; serves as project manager for major activities and special projects related to City long-range and sustainability planning efforts.
- Coordinates with other divisions and departments as well as other governmental entities, organizations, and stakeholder groups on planning projects as needed.
- Coordinates engagement and participation of the public and various stakeholder and neighborhood groups for planning projects.
- Processes and analyzes requests/proposals for zoning text amendments, zoning map amendments, land development, Conditional Use Permits, subdivision plats, and regulation amendments, and provides and presents recommendations on the same as related to the City’s long-range planning goals and objectives, projects, and the Comprehensive Plan.
- Summarizes information from maps, graphs, reports, field studies, etc.; prepares statistical reports, tabulations, computations, graphs, and charts to illustrate long-range planning studies, census information, and special projects.
- Implements Decatur short- and long-range planning efforts with other governmental jurisdictions.
- Enforces zoning, land use, and subdivision regulations.
- Reviews site plans and final plats.
- Reviews and approves zoning permits including but not limited to fence permits and sign permits.
- Researches planning topics, local ordinances, and state statutes.
- Prepares packet materials for related City boards and commissions and City Council including memos, reports, maps, and other information as needed.
- Performs activities related to the Technical Review Committee including preparation and distribution of agendas, communications with applicants/petitioners, recording of minutes, transmittal of review comments, follow-up, and project tracking.
- Performs activities related to the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals including but not limited to preparing staff reports, preparation and distribution of agendas, and communications with applicants and/or petitioners. Attends other Board and Commission meetings as requested.
- Responds to inquiries and interacts with members of the development community and the general public regarding planning and zoning policies and regulations.
- Assists in transportation planning and economic and community development activities as needed.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Bachelor's degree in architecture, urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture, public administration, geography, community development, sustainability, or related field and a minimum of one (1) year of related experience. Appropriate combination of related education and work experience may be considered. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred or the ability to acquire certification within one (1) year of employment. Must possess or obtain a valid State of Illinois driver’s license within sixty (60) days of employment .
- Thorough knowledge of federal and state laws, statutes, and ordinances governing planning, zoning, building, and subdivision development.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of planning and development, zoning, urban design, and sustainability to include related local resources.
- Skills in various research techniques and designing/drawing plans, sections, elevations, and perspectives.
- Skills in preparing and presenting written and oral reports and documents.
- Skills in MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint; skills in using graphic design, desktop publishing, database, and/or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software programs preferred.
- Ability to research and collect data and perform accurate calculations, to perform sound, analytical analyses, and to make well-reasoned recommendations.
- Time and multi-project management; high level of customer service; collaborative and effective working relationships with others; and strong work ethics.