The City of McMinnville is hiring an Associate Housing Planner. This position performs advanced work in city planning, including current and long-range planning, developing land use ordinances and comprehensive plans, review of development proposals, and implementation of land use and related policies and regulations. This recruitment will remain open until filled. For best consideration, please apply by the first review date on Monday, September 21st.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Housing Planning Program

1. Conducts and serves as manager for a variety of housing planning initiatives, comprehensive planning projects, periodic review, and housing capacity analysis.

2. Lead staff for the Affordable Housing Committee.

3. Administers the Affordable Housing Construction Excise Tax program and the Affordable Housing Fund.

4. Conducts assigned research, gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations.

5. Assists in maintaining databases for housing and planning purposes.

6. Prepares housing and planning reports and data as required by the state.

7. Provides recommendations on housing land use proposals.

8. Prepares proposals for amendments to land use ordinances and comprehensive plans.

9. Makes presentations to City Council.

10. Coordinates department activities with other department and agencies as needed.

11. Assists in the implementation of growth management, land use, economic development, utility, housing, transportation, public facilities or other plans and codes to meet the City’s needs and any intergovernmental agreements or requirements.

12. Writes and administers grants awarded to the City for housing planning projects, including the tracking of expenditures and reporting progress.

13. Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and development in the field of housing and municipal planning.

Planning

1. Evaluates land use applications and site plans for compliance with applicable local, state, or Federal laws.

2. Acts as project manager for assigned land use applications through the approval process, prepares reports and related data as required and conducts inspections.

3. Assists the Director and other senior level staff in preparing and making presentations before committees, citizen groups and the City Council.

4. Determines whether development projects meet the clear and objective standards of the City’s code.

5. Prepares reports, including graphics, to describe projects or activities and makes recommendations for public action.

6. Indexes, files, updates, researches, and compiles data from Planning Division and other City records.

Customer Service and Program Support

1. Checks zoning regulations applicable to a particular property and communicates this information to requestors.

2. Conduct on-site inspections at construction sites.

3. Provides information on land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans and related planning programs, services or regulations to architects, engineers, developers, contractors, owners, community groups and interested persons.

4. Provides staff support to the Planning Commission and various other commissions and committees as needed and assigned.

5. Assists other planning staff members as needed.

GENERAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other agencies, and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.
• Participate in committees when requested.
• Maintain proficiency in job requirements which may include attending training and meetings, reading materials, and meeting with others in areas of responsibility.
• Maintain work areas in a clean and orderly manner.
• Maintain confidentiality, data integrity, and comply with all related city, state, and federal standards.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties as described. A typical way to qualify would be a master’s degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, or a related field and at least 2 years of experience as a professional land use planner for a government or private entity, or closely related experience. This position also requires:

Knowledge of:

• Data gathering and research techniques.
• Design and distribution of questionnaires and other citizen survey tools used in the planning process.
• Theory and methods of formulating land use and other policies.
• The methods used for citizen involvement in planning projects.
• Planning applications for land use theory, urban design, economics, municipal finance, land use law, environmental design, resource development, and ecology.
• Computer applications for word processing, desk top publishing, creation of spread sheets and computer-generated mapping and business graphics.

Skill and Ability to:

• Use advanced math tools, such as geometry and statistics.
• Conduct on-site inspections at construction sites.
• Analyze data gathered and prepare reports and recommendations.
• Speak publicly to make reports and informational presentations about planning and community development activities to citizen, business, and other interest groups.
• Clearly explaining policies, regulations, and procedures orally and in writing.
• Identify regulatory actions such as the creation of zoning code provisions or changes in the zoning map implement the City’s policies.
• Design documents to provide information to the public and/or to involve the public in planning issues.
• Draft ordinances and resolutions, which amend the City’s policies and/or codes in minor ways.
• Prepare reports, including recommendations for the creation or amendment of policy and/or zoning.

PREFERRED TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES:

• Certification in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Responsibilities: Applicants with demonstrated education, training, or professional experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) may be assigned GIS-related responsibilities in addition to the core duties of the position. Candidates without GIS experience are still encouraged to apply. GIS knowledge and experience are considered a desirable qualification and are not a minimum requirement for this position. These duties are not required for consideration and will only be assigned if the selected candidate possesses the desired qualifications and experience. Such responsibilities may include:
  • Performing routine and complex technical work to develop, maintain, and support the City's Geographic Information System (GIS) for the Planning Division.
  • Participating on interdepartmental teams and collaborating with the Engineering Division's GIS/CAD Specialist on GIS projects and initiatives.
  • Creating, refining, and maintaining ArcGIS Online map services, web maps, and StoryMaps.
  • Researching, analyzing, designing, and developing GIS data, applications, and mapping solutions.
  • Developing, maintaining, and improving automated GIS systems and related information resources.
  • Assisting with short- and long-range GIS planning, analysis, and implementation.
  • Updating and maintaining GIS property, zoning, and land use data.