Urban Planner I - Zoning

Job Posting: Open until filled

Salary Range: $52,578.03 - $63,135.07

General Description and Classification Standards 

The Urban Planner I is responsible for developing plans and programs for the usage of the City’s land and using those plans to create communities, accommodate growth, or revitalize physical facilities. Duties at this level include but are not limited to: providing quality customer service to the stakeholders of Atlanta; ensuring that staff reports for land use amendments, open record requests and applications are processed efficiently and in a timely manner; and performing administrative, analytical and technical functions in the development, implementation and monitoring of land use policies. This is the entry level for this job family. Individuals entering this level must already possess the basic professional knowledge arising from a pertinent degree program. Assignments should be predominantly professional in nature. 

Supervision Received: Direction received is very general and focuses on end results and is typically collaborative in nature.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. May perform other duties as assigned. 

• Assists with leading in the process of establishing a new ordinance for the zoning regulations for City property. 
• Attends meetings as required such as, the Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) meetings and Atlanta Planning Advisory Board meetings. 
• Prepares staff reports for land use amendments. 
• Assists the Secretaries of the Board of Zoning Adjustments and Zoning Review Board or SAP Hearing Officer. 
• Answers questions from customers while serving as the Planner on Duty monthly. 
• Assists in the development of planning studies and reports in support of new and updated plans, programs, and regulations. 
• Reviews or assists in the review of moderately difficult development proposals and site plans for conformance with codes, plans and regulations. Prepares and presents detailed reports on development proposals to government bodies. 
• Collects a variety of statistical data and prepares reports and maps on topics such as census information, land use, tax base data and occupancy rates. Develops and maintains a statistical reporting system; compiles, analyzes and interprets data to define environmental conditions, social, economic and housing trends, community needs and zoning problems. 
• Acts as liaison between community groups, government agencies, developers and elected officials in developing neighborhood plans. 
• Provides information to the public regarding development regulations. 
• Assists in resolving citizen and customer issues. Conducts field evaluations and assessments. 
• Maintains planning documents, planning and development codes and related regulations for research, documentation, and public access. 
• Evaluate and process applications for Special Administrative Permits for completeness and accuracy, with a strong focus on urban design. This includes the comprehensive review of proposed developments in Quality-of-Life zoning districts by conducting the technical review of site plans and architectural elevations for compliance with city ordinances, policies, and plans. Represent the Office of Zoning & Development in an advisory capacity to the various Development Review Committees (DRC) for certain areas in the City. Lead pre-application meetings for anticipated SAP applications. 
• Evaluate land subdivision applications for compliance with the City’s Subdivision Ordinance. Coordinate subdivision review process with internal and external review agencies. Maintain records and documents in clear and consistent manner. 

Decision Making Follows standardized procedures and written instructions to accomplish assigned tasks. 

Leadership Provided None. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list. 

Knowledge of: GIS and how to prepare maps, graphics and reports; spreadsheets, databases and software to help visualize and present design projects; planning and zoning, economic development and related principles, methodologies, processes and practices; urban planning research methodology, including field inspections, computer and electronic searches, and archive and file searches; principles and practices of developmental design and engineering, including architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, site design and development, traffic engineering and impacts and land use compatibility. 

Skills in: oral communication and interpersonal relationships to explain rules and procedures clearly to the public; creative problem-solving to gather relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems. 

Ability to: read and interpret city master plans, regulatory codes, technical and operational documents, reports, research material and information, blueprints and maps; analyze applications and apply relevant regulatory ordinances and codes; operate and maintain a GIS computer system; prepare and present oral, written and graphic reports, documents, brochures and pamphlets, maps, and related planning and development documentation; operate standard office equipment including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties; communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, customers, citizen groups and other employees.