General Purpose

The position of Junior Planner (Planner I-II) is an entry-level position within professional planning. It involves professional-level duties and judgment, and routine administrative tasks. As part of a small team that is responsible for both day-to-day and long-range planning for the City of Moab, the Junior Planner will play a role in virtually all of the City's planning and zoning functions.

Reporting Relationships

The Junior Planner works under the supervision of the Planning Director.

This position works closely with an Administrative Assistant and coordinates with the Engineering and Building Divisions within the Community Development Department.

Essential Functions

The Junior Planner performs a wide variety of land use-related administrative functions, including:

• Interpreting local zoning code rules and regulations for the public, developers, and policymakers.
• Responding to zoning inquiries; including written, phone, emails and counter inquiries.
• Processing planning and development permit applications.
• Reviewing building permit, planning, and business license applications, for zoning compliance.
• Coordination and facilitation of citywide development review process.
• Preparation and presentation of land use applications to Planning Commission and City Council.
• Coordination, noticing, and facilitation of Planning Commission Meeting; including the streaming, recording, and publishing of the meeting.
• Collecting a variety of statistical data and preparing reports and maps.
• Ensuring compliance with all state and city procedural requirements such as public noticing.

The Junior Planner is frequently the first contact for the public on planning and zoning issues. Job duties may include:

• Contribution on collaborative city or joint city/county projects and project reviews.
• Participation in City/Community working groups, boards, or committees.
• Coordinating responses to constituents on behalf of the Planning Department.
• Ensuring that up-to-date and relevant information is available via the web and other communications vectors for the public.
• Coordinating with other staff regarding possible zoning code violations.

This position also assists the City Planner with long- and short-range master planning efforts, including:

• Conducting research on planning topics.
• Writing reports and memos on planning topics and development applications.
• Coordinating with outside consultants.

The Junior Planner performs related duties as required or assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Applicants should possess a working knowledge of planning principles, processing applications for compliance with zoning regulations, familiarity with GIS mapping, and the ability to read and interpret site plans and construction plans. Graphic skills are desirable.
Applicants must have the ability to communicate well both orally and in writing and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in planning or related field, and
• Two years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The Junior Planner normally works in a safe, climate-controlled environment. Tasks may entail muscular strain, including walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching and lifting.

Talking, hearing and seeing are essential to performing job requirements. Common eye, hand and finger dexterity is required for most essential functions. The position may require outdoor field visits at any time of the year, including the summer months.

While performing the duties of this job, the Assistant City Planner will use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve non-routine and complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions; and interact with the City Council and Mayor, city staff, customers, the public and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied or abusive individuals.

Selection Guidelines

A formal application and résumé is required; finalists will interview with the appropriate hiring authority. Applicant must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check, and upon employment, must possess a valid Utah driver's license.