Urban Planner III

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Job description

Posting Open Until Filled

Salary Commensurate with Experience

General Description and Classification Standards

The City of Atlanta Department of City Planning (DCP) is committed to implementing Atlanta City Design and transforming Atlanta into the best possible version of itself. Adopted into the city charter in December 2017, Atlanta City Design articulates an aspiration for the future city that Atlantans can fall in love with, knowing that if people love their city, they will make better decisions about it.

The Office of Zoning & Development regulates and ensures compliance within established zoning districts for items related to land use (such as height, size, and placement of buildings on a lot, the density at which buildings may be constructed, design of public spaces and the necessary parking facilities).

The Urban Planner III is responsible for supporting the successful implementation of the City's land development and permitting procedures and the initiatives of the Office of Zoning & Development. Duties at this level include but are not limited to providing quality customer service to the stakeholders of Atlanta; ensuring that project applications, project reviews, enforcement actions, and open record requests are processed efficiently and in a timely manner; and performing administrative, analytical, and technical functions in the development, implementation and monitoring of the City's land use and zoning programs and policies.

This is a fully seasoned professional level capable of independently carrying out most assignments typical of the profession.

Supervision Received

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

Works under very general supervision. Depending on the organization structure, may work independently with responsibility for an assigned function or program.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

This position, Urban Planner III, is within the Land Development Team - responsible for the review of Special Administrative Permit (SAP) and Land Subdivision (SD) and related applications. These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. May perform other duties as assigned. Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Review for Land Development projects:

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.

• General Office of Zoning & Development / Departmental Programs

Attends public meetings as required such as Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) meetings. Accepts and intakes applications and questions from internal and external customers for all zoning-related topics as part of fulfilling "Planner on Duty" and "Planner of the Month" responsibilities. Provides information to the public regarding development regulations. Acts as liaison between community groups, government agencies, developers, and elected officials in the process of reviewing complex developments. Assists in resolving customer issues. Conducts field evaluations and assessments. Provides information to GIS personnel to keep the zoning and land use maps up to date. Maintains planning documents, codes and related regulations for research, documentation, and public access.

Decision Making

Applies organizational policies. Establishes work methods, timetables, performance standards, etc. Selects from multiple procedures and methods to accomplish tasks.

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.

Skilled 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 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.

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