JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTS TO: Planning Director

FLSA STATUS: Exempt – Professional

CLASSIFICATION: Personnel System - Requires satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

PAY GRADE: 119

SAFETY SENSITIVE: No

Purpose of Job:

The purpose of this job is to research, prepare and provide technical work for the Planning Department, with primary focus on the long-range planning issues and zoning actions administered by the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing administrative support, preparing reports, assisting the public, preparing and administering grants, preparing planning studies, administering planning ordinances and regulations, presenting findings to groups and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Job Related Requirements:

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday, with some after hours work required for meetings.

May be required to work on religious holidays.

Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Must work cooperatively with others.

When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC's safe driving policy.

Minimum Training & Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Bachelor's Degree in urban/regional planning, engineering, history, public administration, historic preservation or related field, with four years of planning experience required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Master's degree preferred.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Answers general zoning, planning, metropolitan, and/or historic preservation questions for external and internal customers.
• Prepares and submits grant applications and reimbursement requests that meet Federal reporting requirements.
• Prepares planning studies and reports in assigned area.
• Administers planning ordinances and regulations.
• Assists with supervision of division staff as assigned.
• Assists with the preparation of the annual budget.
• Prepares and makes presentations to various public and governmental departments and organizations.
• Provides coordination between local, state and federal Governments regarding planning issues.

When Assigned to Planning Department / Comprehensive Planning

• Provides administrative support and recommends actions to the Planning Commission; prepares reports on zoning related items, prepares minutes and agendas for meetings; coordinates Planning Commission recommendations for Mayor and Commission consideration.
• Prepares, maintains and updates the Land Use, Economic Development and Community Facilities elements of the Comprehensive Plan; duties include preparing special areas studies, recommendations, and preparing economic base, infrastructure and utilities studies.
• Responds to requests for information on demographic data including census information; acts as the Department's liaison with the Census Bureau.
• Prepares agenda items for the Department on pertinent matters; coordinates their submission to the Government.
• Evaluates Developments of Regional Impact (DRI's) and coordinates the Unified Government's response to the State of Georgia.
• Coordinates projects with other departments of the Unified Government and with local, state and federal agencies as needed; ensures that departmental reviews are completed in a timely and effective manner.
• Maintains a comprehensive and current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws / regulations; appears in court as needed to justify recommendations.
• Prepares and conducts presentations to the public, the governing body and other applicable organizations and groups; effectively communicating in potentially unstable environments / situations.
• Provides instruction and direction to the general public and department visitors; receives, responds to or forwards departmental, governmental or public correspondence by phone, mail, message, etc.
• Attends various training workshops, conferences, and committee and public meetings that may require meeting at night or overnight traveling; records minutes of meetings as assigned.
• Evaluates and analyses zoning, subdivision and building permit data; originates summary reports on important trends reflected in this analysis and its potential impact on the Comprehensive Plan.
• Identifies important GIS maps and databases needed to support comprehensive planning efforts in cooperation with the GIS / Graphics Division. Assists in the development and maintenance of a thorough database of pertinent information to support the Planning Department's Planning Data Services function, including the reviewing, classifying and evaluation of data.
• Researches and prepares amendments and updates to land development regulations including zoning and subdivision regulations.
• Performs other related duties as required.