Job Information
City of Ames Planner in Ames, Iowa
Planner
SALARY
$34.61 - $50.60 Hourly
$71,986.93 - $105,243.01 Annually
LOCATION
50010, IA
JOB TYPE
Full-Time
JOB NUMBER
24-1212-01
DEPARTMENT
Planning and Housing
DIVISION
Planning and Housing
OPENING DATE
10/15/2024
CLOSING DATE
11/12/2024 12:00 PM Central
FLSA
Exempt
BARGAINING UNIT
MERIT
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT?
No
Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.
General Information
Examples of Essential Job Functions
Qualifications
Supplemental Information
The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.
Under general supervision, works independently to implement the City's development standards, including zoning, subdivision, and other regulations. This is both a front-line planning position working directly with customers on development proposals, permitting, code compliance, and inquiries; and also a long-range planning position involved in comprehensive planning, research, and policy development. The Planner is more experienced with an increased degree of complexity/diversity of project assignments and project management responsibilities than an Assistant Planner. Performs related work as required.
In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient.
Compensation Philosophy: The City of Ames has a compensation philosophy that the starting pay for our merit salary ranges establishes the salary for employees who meet minimum requirements of a position. The median of any merit salary range is for an employee who can reasonably meet all expectations of the position responsibilities without initial extensive training. In order for employees to have an opportunity to grow within their position, we may consider a candidate's education, experience, and skills above the minimum requirements when looking at a salary closer to or slightly above the median. The median for this position is $88,615 annualized.
Benefits Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at:City of Ames Benefits
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program:The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit: PSLF Program
Reviews plans and prepares reports on development requests as part of the City's development review process; presents findings to commissions and boards for variances, exceptions, special use permits, certificates of appropriateness pertaining to historic structures, and similar curren planning applications. Provides information and assistance to developers and to citizens regarding development approval requirements. Assists the general public with planning and zoning questions and refers citizens to other resources as needed. Performs special studies pertaining to land use, environment, economic development, growth projections, annexations, etc. Makes presentations to boards, commissions, and City Council on planning reports including impacts, conclusions and recommendations. Performs field inspections, surveys and studies. Utilizes GIS and other resources to compile data, perform requested data analyses and mapping in support of project review and research. Maintains the City's zoning and land use maps. Ensures compliance of zoning, subdivision and related codes and performs essential duties of enforcement proceedings, including filing Municipal Infractions and testifying in court. Work with Neighborhood Associations and complete outreach activities.
Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; committing to diversity, equity and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respecting one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.
In addition, the employee must also embrace the Planning Division's Vision, which is to Keep Ames Special Through Leading Edge Planning, and act in full accord with the related mission and guiding principles of the Division.
Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in planning, geography or closely related field, and four years experience in private or municipal government planning office. Professional internships may count for no more than the equivalency of 1 year of full time professional employment.
Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver's license. AICP certification is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of planning principles, planning laws, and new concepts on planning. Knowledge of word processing software. Knowledge of computer applications, functions and their application to administration of development regulations. Experience with GIS, specifically using ESRI ArcMap version 10.8 and ArcGis Pro, creating and editing spatial and attribute data, developing maps, and analyzing spatial information is beneficial. Experience with EnerGov permit software is beneficial.
Skill in verbal and written communication. Skill in performing mathematical computations.
Ability to work effectively with the Director of Planning and Housing to develop a consistent format in reports and correspondences, and to develop a rational, consistent and defensible application of codes and policies. Lead project teams in development and review of complex projects. Ability to identify and implement innovative planning concepts. Ability to research and learn state codes and law pertaining to land use, local zoning laws and municipal codes. Ability to conduct field surveys, collect and analyze data. Ability to prep