Urban Planner I

The City of Asheville is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Urban Planner in the Planning Department. This position performs professional level planning functions to develop, update, and maintain plans and projects and to perform analysis and make staff recommendations regarding planning requests for an assigned department. This is the entry level of the Urban Planner series. Incumbents in this classification concentrate on more routine projects and requests, but may be assigned to work on larger, more complex projects for the purpose of employee training and development, under close supervision.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. 

Participates in planning projects and activities: assists in researching projects; prepares related reports and documentation; attends a variety of meetings, workshops, and public forums with applicants and citizens; gathers feedback and answers questions; assists in explaining and providing information regarding planning, land use, zoning, transportation, or other project components; evaluates and analyzes potential project outcomes; and represents interests, policies, goals, and objectives of the City. 

Performs a variety of administrative functions associated with planning activities: maintains records and program information; drafts and reviews correspondence; and participates in public education and outreach.

Responds to requests for information related to planning services and assists in conducting plan reviews: intakes, reviews and makes recommendations for petitions for area of assignment, such as rezoning, use permits, variances, subdivision and land development approval, floodplain development activity, transportation, etc.; and participates in preparing related staff reports, analysis, and recommendations. 

Participates in defined segments of planning projects: conducts research; and prepares specifications and plans for assigned projects. 

Collects, tabulates, and stores planning data: compiles, maintains and updates planning operational data; researches and analyzes statistical data for use in planning activities; identifies trends and problems; recommends appropriate actions; enters, updates, and maintains data in Geographic Information Systems (GIS); provides requested information to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public; generates summary reports and maps; and updates and maintains related databases. 

May perform routine planning and compliance reviews for area of assignment: reviews plans, as-builts and other engineering and architectural drawings; reviews plans for compliance with rules, regulations, laws, codes, and ordinances in area of assignment; approves or denies plans; prepares plan review comments and recommendations for remediation; and responds to customer inquiries regarding compliance. 

Communicates with supervisor, other City employees, contractors, the public, outside agencies and organizations, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems. 

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives, reviews, prepares, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate various forms, reports, correspondence, census data and population statistics, draft ordinances, sit plans, architectural designs, planning reports, maps, and other documentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records. 

Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

 Additional Functions: Performs other related duties as required.

Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering or a related field required; this classification is considered an entry-level professional position, however previous work experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.
Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations involving basic algebraic principles and formulas, and basic geometric principles and calculations.
Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

ADA Compliance:
Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals.  Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Some positions may require a fingerprint-based SBI background check after a conditional offer and before your start date; HR will provide instructions if applicable.

For benefits-eligible positions, explore our full benefits at AshevilleBenefits.com.
 

About us:

The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched by its diversity.

The City’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants will be assured of fair treatment in all aspects of recruitment and selection without regard to a person’s age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, genetic information,or disability, except where certain physical and mental requirements are Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQ). The City of Asheville is proud to be a second chance employer.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.