HR Specialist

Job Summary

The City Planner performs professional planning work in the development of programs, compilation of planning data, interpret land use law and regulations, prepare reports to land use planning projects, applies from-bases standards to projects of various scales, and provides input related to zoning and development. 

The position is responsible for administering planning, zoning and development ordinances, the primary tools used by the City to guide City objectives to accomplish stated land use goals; the development of short- and long-term planning projects, and redevelopment plan for improvement areas; prepares and presents cases before the Conyers Planning Commission, the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Board of Zoning Adjustments and Appeals; assists with updating and developing maps using GIS systems; and coordinates and administers the land development process. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Planning and Inspection Services Director. 

Essential Job Functions
This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.

• Maintains and updates the City's Comprehensive Plan.
• Performs current and long-range planning task regarding growth management, annexation, preservation of open spaces, ect 
• Assists the Planning Director and Deputy Director in reviews, board cases, staff reports, and inspections
• Assists the Planning Director with oversight and reporting of the City's Livable Centers Initiative studies.
• Attends meetings and serves as a resource to other City Departments and general public, community groups, and outside agencies related to planning and zoning responsibilities.
• Performs audits on the current City ordinances to ensure they remain relevant and prepares report on recommended amendments. 
• Researches and drafts zoning and developments related ordinances.
• Processes and reviews applications for annexation request, zoning proposals, certificates of appropriateness, variance request, and plats.
• Creates meeting notices, agendas and information packages for the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments, and the City Council. Includes preparing legal advertisements, public notice signs, notifying property owners involved, and composes staff reports and presentations for each agenda item. 
• Presents staff reports and presentations to the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments, and City Council
• Acts as the staff liaison between the Department and the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments.
• Answers questions from the general public regarding plats, Zoning, annexation, development regulations, and general community information. 
• Interprets and explains applicable City codes to architects, engineers, contractors, developer, and other interested parties.
• Reviews occupational tax applications for compliance with the City's zoning ordinances.
• Reviews civil and architectural construction plans to ensure compliance with the City's zoning ordinances and conditions of zoning if applicable.
• Reviews preliminary plats and final plats for conformance to various City ordinances.
• Attends evening meetings as scheduled.
• Attends training, seminars, conferences, and conducts research to stay abreast of legislation and trends.
• Maintains annual statistics on land use, housing, and new developments.
• Completes zoning verification and certifications using current and historical data.
• Schedules and conducts meetings between developers, engineers, and other City staff.
• Conducts site visits.
• Provide assistance to Code Enforcements Officers on specific zoning ordinance violations.
• Other duties as may be assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university in the City, Urban, or Regional Planning or Public administration.

Licenses(s): Valid Georgia Driver's License

Experience: Two to four (2-4) years of progressive work experience City, Urban, or Regional Planning. 

Certification(s): None Required. AICP preferred.

Any Special Requirement(s): Georgia Association of Zoning Administrators (GAZA) member in good standing.

Georgia Planning Association (GPA) member in good standing.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

An incumbent/applicant may have any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job as long as the incumbent/applicant can show competencies in each. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of business and occupational registration ordinance, sign ordinance, zoning ordinance, and other City codes.
• Thorough knowledge of geography and population patterns of the City of Conyers.
• Working knowledge of spelling, punctuation and grammar. 
• Intermediate computer skills. 
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal rules, regulations, ordinances, and laws governing building construction, housing, property maintenance, zoning and land use.

• Ability to facilitate public input processes and public meetings

• Working knowledge of Roberts Rules of Order.
• Ability to mediate disputes and bring groups with opposing goals to resolution on issues in order to move forward with a project
• Ability to make effective written and oral presentations.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate departmental operations and develop and implement plans to improve departmental efficiency.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at one time.
• Knowledge of the operation GIS software applications. 
• Ability to research public records, interpret and apply information appropriately.
• Ability to prepare reports, plans, and studies and to accurately interpret ordinances and codes.
• Ability to handle multiple interruptions and make adjustments to priorities throughout the day.
• Knowledge of database and file management systems.
• Knowledge of the City's comprehensive plan, Georgia Planning Act, Georgia DCA Minimum standards and ARC regional policies.
• Knowledge of development regulations concerning land use and environmental matters.
• Basic knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Must possess the ability to positively interact with other team members, the general public, contractor, governmental entities, and other clientele. 
• Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative and a considerable amount of independent judgment. 
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to a diverse group of customers.
• Good attention to detail.
• Self-directed and self-motivated. 
• The ability to deal with the public firm and courteously under adverse or strained conditions. 
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with public officials, employees, contractors, developers, and general public.
• Ability to enter and operate a standard equipped pickup truck or automobile unassisted.
• Ability to negotiate uneven terrain unassisted. 
• Ability to maintain and update organized thought and document finding if research and investigations.
• Ability to present proactive solutions to changing circumstances in the community.