TITLE

Principal Development Planner

OPEN DATE

3/26/2024

FULL-TIME/PART-TIME

Full-Time

EXEMPT/NON-EXEMPT

Exempt

BARGAINING / NON-BARGAINING

Non-Bargaining

DIVISION

Community Investment

LOCATION

Community Investment

REPORTS TO

Chief Planner

SCHEDULE

40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

PAY RATE

Salary Range: $72,000-74,000 annually

DESCRIPTION

Salary range is $72,000 to $74,000 annually

POSITION SUMMARY:The Principal Development Planner is a dynamic position that spans the spectrum of the planning and development process. The role has dual responsibilities: (1) refining and administering the South Bend Zoning Ordinance, and (2) complementing the Strategic Planning team in the high-level development of Neighborhood Plans and the Citys Comprehensive Plan.

This role is responsible for guiding new development through the approvals process by working with developers, builders, contractors, and residents to achieve high quality and sustainable built form outcomes for the City of South Bend. This position sits within a broader cross disciplinary team that includes strategic planning, zoning, historic preservation, the building department, and property acquisition.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:This role helps manage a team of three zoning specialists.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Administers and advises the Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals by explaining policies, procedures, objectives, and actions on specific cases according to legal requirements.
• Responds to inquiries, provides technical assistance, and supervises preparation and distribution of minutes, agenda, meeting notices, related documents, and reports as required.
• Certifies and transmits all zoning and amendment recommendations of the Plan Commission to the Common Council.
• Interprets and applies knowledge of zoning regulations, comprehensive plan, and other plans to applications, such as rezoning, variances, special exceptions, improvement location permits, and appeals.
• Prepares/issues zoning certifications and permits, including researching computer records, codes, and maps, reviewing documentation, inspecting sites as needed, and explaining procedures and legal requirements.
• Reviews land development and subdivision proposals for compliance with land use ordinances.
• Analyzes sign permits against applicable development regulations.
• Responds to inquiries and investigates formal complaints of non-compliance with land use codes, including reviewing site plans, making on-site visits, measuring setbacks, calculating areas, ensuring compliance with ordinances, researching computer and printed records, and explaining procedures and legal requirements.
• Represents Plan Commission at various meetings and serves as a commission liaison to related agencies, including Building Department, Business Development, Public Works, Fire Department, and Police Department and those at other levels of government.
• Periodically reviews ordinances for possible amendments as needed.
• Conducts special projects and studies as needed.
• Schedules and attends meetings and hearings, including those outside of normal working hours.
• Maintains organized current and permanent records of minutes, zoning ordinances, maps, amendments, variances, appeals, permits, applications, and other files for public access.
• Assists property owners, developers, neighborhood organizations, and the general public as needed to answer questions on zoning and subdivisions, assist in the completion of forms/applications, and resolve problems.
• Develops and maintains public information, including website, to inform individuals, developers, and the media of regulations and processes.
• Maintains current knowledge of land use regulations and issues by reading professional publications and occasionally attending training seminars and conferences to integrate ideas nd concepts into planning activities.

NON-ESSENTIAL/MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:Additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in urban planning, urban design, architecture, or related field.
• Three to five years of experience in zoning and land use planning.
• AICP preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY:

Must have excellent leadership skills.

Must be detailed oriented.

Ability to interact with a highly charged public environment.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of ordinances, policies and procedures, subdivision control, land development, and urban design.

Ability to read, interpret, and explain zoning and subdivision ordinances, property legal descriptions, plat maps, floodplain maps, and aerial photos.

General knowledge of engineering and architectural principles and theory.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and the ability to prepare correspondence, documents, and detailed reports.

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