Associate Planner - City Planning and Design

Summary Statement

The City of Boise is hiring for an Associate Planner - City Planning and Design!

This role will support high-impact policy and comprehensive planning initiatives shaping the city’s future, and will work on zoning code updates, area planning, and long-range policy projects presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. Ideal candidates bring a strong foundation in urban planning principles, experience or coursework in comprehensive planning and land use policy, and the ability to analyze and present data - GIS experience is a plus. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to priority projects from day one in a fast-growing, forward-thinking community.

Why the City of Boise?

The benefits are real and among the best in the Treasure Valley:

• Zero-premium medical coverage for you and your family
• PERSI retirement plus employer-matched 401(k)/457b
• 10 hours vacation/month (grows with tenure), 12 paid holidays, and 8 hours sick leave/month
• 10 weeks paid parental leave
• $500 annual wellbeing incentive
• Tuition reimbursement and free local bus pass
• Basic life and long-term disability insurance at no cost

Essential Functions

Prepares and provides recommendations to citizens, the planning and zoning commission and city council regarding the implementation, maintenance and amendment of the City of Boise comprehensive plan and related planning documents. Prepares and presents detailed analyses and recommendations in project reports to the commission and council following the comprehensive plan. Communicates with external and internal agencies that may be impacted by a proposed comprehensive plan amendment, zoning ordinance amendment and/or development application.

Prepares and executes detailed public involvement plans for major amendments. Ensures all public hearing notices comply with the Local Land Use Planning Act and city code. Organizes and maintains files. Conducts presentations on plans to the general public, elected officials, special interest groups, neighborhood associations and other agencies. Maintains the current version of the comprehensive plan document. Serves as a city representative on various regional and advisory committees to further implement the city's comprehensive plan. Works with other Ada County jurisdictions on issues of concern to the city.

Performs data collection, analysis and the production of well-designed and accurate planning documents and long-range plans that implement the comprehensive plan. Assists and guides developers, property owners, citizens and other stakeholders in the multi-year development of specific area plans. Collects, generates, analyzes and consolidates demographic, socio-economic and geographic information. Generates, analyzes and maintains Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data layers. Generates and analyzes data and maps for city-initiated annexation efforts. Processes county referral applications within the area of impact and reviews them for compliance with the comprehensive plan.

Prepares and presents staff reports with recommendations to the city council. Processes and prepares recommendations on development applications in specific planning areas for review by the planning and zoning commission and city council. Serves on or leads advisory committees for city-initiated projects. Assists in preparing maps, analyses, regulations and/or resolutions. Assists other departments with code amendments. Provides comments, clarifications and recommendations on other agency plans, policies and/or codes.

Provides planning support for city staff, the public and the mayor's office on the neighborhood reinvestment program. Researches allocated grants, monitors project progress, reconciles accounts and processes reimbursement requests. Coordinates the neighborhood planning program. Coordinates communication and support with Boise Police Department neighborhood contact officers, neighborhood watch leaders, zoning enforcement and planning staff on neighborhood issues.

Performs geographic area planning (GAP). Serves as a liaison between the city and the assigned neighborhood associations by attending meetings and special events and providing requested information. Serves as a support individual for the city's neighborhood contact officer assigned to the neighborhood association(s). Serves as a subject matter expert on the assigned neighborhood's development and current issues.

Provides backup support to the zoning front counter and assists customers with planning and zoning inquiries. Attends pre-application meetings as needed.

Handles moderately complex issues and problems and refers more complex issues to higher-level staff. Is capable of performing all duties of an Assistant Planner and provides team support and training, as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training
Bachelor’s degree in urban or city planning, engineering, public administration or a related field and two years of professional-level experience in urban planning, including preparation of comprehensive plan elements, land use policy, environmental analysis, zoning implementation, plan review and permit processing, or an equivalent combination of experience and/or education.

Knowledge of:

• GIS analysis and principles of cartography, graphic design and technical writing and document preparation
• The theory, principles, standards, practices and information sources of urban planning
• Application of land use and transportation, physical and environmental design, ecological science and zoning theory and practices to complex and politically sensitive planning processes
• Computer usage including related software
• Environmental impact assessment
• Methods and techniques of developing, coordinating and implementing citizen involvement and outreach processes for complex and politically sensitive projects
• Terminology, symbols, methods, techniques and instruments used in planning.

• Use ARCGIS and ArcMap, Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat.
• Perform responsible and complex current and long-term planning assignments
• Understand and apply federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards pertaining to the planning process Interpret maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs and statistical data
• Interpret and understand engineering and architectural plans, concepts and methodologies
• Communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance
• Perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Valid state-issued driver's license.

Working Conditions

The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Efforts
While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally lifting/carrying up to 10 pounds. Also, the employee is occasionally pushing/pulling up to 10 pounds. The noise level is occasionally moderate. Work includes sensory ability to talk and hear. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand and walk. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.

Working Environment
The work environment will include inside conditions and outdoor weather conditions. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position.
This position works: weekly scheduled evening meetings/public hearings.