Under the direct supervision of the Chief Planner, the Senior Planner is the primary operational officer for a diverse set of planning programs within the City Planning Bureau and collaborates frequently across multiple disciplines. The Primary Programs for this position include comprehensive planning, small area and site planning, subdivision and land development, and urban redevelopment via the City's Redevelopment Authority and Land Bank. The Senior Planner assures these programs are compliant with local, state, and federal requirements, including Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code, Urban Redevelopment Law, and Third-Class City Code, among others. The Senior Planner is responsible for project management, technical studies and plans, legislation, site design and review, and municipal approvals involving the above Primary Programs, while also ensuring that those programs meet City strategic objectives and follow industry best practices. More specifically, the Senior Planner provides critical planning analysis for site, corridor, and neighborhood-scale projects and performs advanced research and analysis on standard planning topics. The Senior Planner also regularly communicates with members of the public, elected and appointed officials, and other key stakeholders through various planning process, including the City's regulatory and advisory boards, commissions, and authorities.

Examples Of Essential Duties

• Supports the daily operations and strategic planning for the City's Redevelopment Authority and Land Bank as key housing and economic development tools.
• Coordinates the City's Comprehensive Plan development, updates, and implementation with the Planning Bureau and across City departments.
• Administers the City's subdivision and land development program and ensures regulatory compliance, which may include technical reviews, inspections, project management, and managing consultant teams.
• Supports the operations and strategic interaction with key Planning Bureau boards, commission, and authorities, including Zoning Hearing Board, Planning Commission, Redevelopment Authority of the City of Lancaster, Land Bank Authority of the City of Lancaster, and others as assigned.
• Attends and interacts with other select boards, commissions, and authorities as related to the tasks of the Primary Programs listed above, which may include Historical Commission, Historical Architectural Review Board, Traffic Commission, City Council Committee, City Council, and others as assigned.
• Supports with strategic planning efforts at all scales (site, corridor, neighborhood, and comprehensive) by providing design analysis, technical writings, and visual aids.
• Participates in the City's coordination with the U.S. Census Bureau in preparation for Census, including the review of the address data base and Complete Count Committee Coordination.
• Supports enforcement efforts related to assigned tasks, including land development and redevelopment agreements.
• Serve as a City representative on local committees and task forces on planning matters at the discretion of the Bureau Chief.
• Conducts research, analysis, written reports and visual aids on urban planning practices and regulations, as assigned.
• Assists with preparation and administration of grant applications.
• Performs field inspections as necessary.
• Performs related work as required.

Typical Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from high school or completion of a GED is required.
• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in urban planning, architecture, urban design, environmental studies, or related field; and six (6) years of experience in municipal planning work that demonstrates increased responsibility, including one year of experience doing design analysis and technical reviews of subdivision and land development plans is required. A graduate degree may substitute for 2 years work experience.
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience as determined suitable by hiring supervisor.
• Experience with municipal budget management and comprehensive planning desirable.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania State Driver's License is required.
• AICP certification, AIA licensure, or landscape architecture licensure is desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the land development, historic preservation, zoning, and other general development processes.
• Knowledge of urban and regional planning practices, projects, and case law.
• Knowledge of current best practices around housing development, affordability, and urban redevelopment.
• Knowledge of GIS and map visualization techniques desired.
• Ability to compose and exhibit visual aids for design analysis of sites, corridors, and neighborhoods using industry standard software such as ArcGIS, AutoCAD, and 2-D and 3-D rendering software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite. SketchUp), and Hand sketching desired.
• Proven proficiency in the Microsoft (or similar) suite of tools (Word, Excel, Outlook. PowerPoint) is required.