Position Overview

Company Name

Town of North Branford

Job Title

Town Planner

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Performs technical and administrative work providing information, organizes and coordinates programs and decisions that shape both the short-range and long-term plans of the Town of North Branford (Town). Work involves ensuring compliance with conditions imposed on new subdivisions, makes recommendations on zoning and subdivision issues before the Town, and proposes amendments to the Town’s zoning regulations, inland wetlands and subdivision rules and regulations. Provides technical assistance to town departments, committees, and boards in planning matters with respect to the development, coordination, and facilitation of programs relating to the physical and economic development of the Town.

Position requires extensive depth of expertise and knowledge in specialized functions or business areas that can be used to develop policies and procedures as well as determining efficient and innovative ways to accomplish the organization’s business strategies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. The duties listed here are intended only as illustrative of the various types of work that may be performed.

Manages, provides guidance to, and reviews the work of individual contributors in order to accomplish operational plans and results

• Plans and oversees departmental / functional area workflow and time utilization of staff; assigns and communicates daily activities and deadlines to staff

• Assesses, plans, and implements best practice standards and ensures compliance with all local, state, federal guidelines and regulatory agencies; compiles and submits data for trend analysis and regulatory reporting

• Prepares monthly, annual, and statistical reports as requested by Town Council, Town manager, Boards/Commissions

• Researches, compiles, and presents data and recommendations concerning the Plan of Conservation & Development, transportation, land use, population, capital improvements, and zoning maps and documents

• Serves as staff liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC), Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission (CIWWC) and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA); prepares agendas and presentations, soliciting input from other town staff

• Reviews applications, writes motions, provides supporting materials and documents, and interfaces with applicants and the public regarding processes and procedures

• Develops and proposes recommendations for zoning changes and drafts zoning amendments

• Develops plans for land use, including residential, commercial, industrial areas, street layouts and transportation plans consistent with policies of the PZC

• Assists in developing zoning plans and conducting studies; investigates sub-division and zoning sites for conformance with plans; develops reports on sub-division applications and site plans

• Serves as Zoning Enforcement Officer; enforces zoning regulations, monitors applications for zoning permits and zoning compliance; investigates, researches, and identifies violations; submits all required evidence per Town policies and procedures

• Maintains knowledge of ordinances and regulations, explaining updates and changes to all applicable parties

• Maintains awareness of demographic trends and their impact on the Town

• Understands community impact and considers the town’s history in decision making and plans for future development

• Builds rapport and trust with residents, business owners, and property owners

• Positively represents the Town, adheres to Town policies and procedures, and public safety guidelines and protocols; performs job functions in a safe manner and reports all safety hazards per established policies and procedures

• Responds to and resolves inquiries, issues and complaints from the general public per established standards and protocols

• Maintains active membership in state, regional, and national associations and attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and best practices

• Serves as the Wetlands Enforcement Officer; enforces wetlands regulations, monitors applications for Wetlands permits and compliance; investigates, researches, and identifies violations; submits all required evidence per Town policies & procedures.

• Serves as Town Blight Enforcement Officer. Responsible for receiving and investigating complaints, developing and executing remediation plans, and periodically reviewing regulations and making recommendations to the Town Manager.

Supervision:

• Reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures and meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems

• Assesses and monitors workload; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements changes

• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the departmental budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in planning, urban studies or related field; supplemented by five (5) years of directly related experience in regulation enforcement and/or municipal planning; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.

• Per Connecticut Statute, must have or obtain within two (2) years of employment, certification as a Certified Zoning Enforcement Officer from the Connecticut Association of Zoning Enforcement Officers

• Certification as a Wetlands Official from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)

• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Connecticut Driver’s License and the ability to drive a Town-owned vehicle per established policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's degree in urban planning and five (5) years as a Town Planner in a similar municipality and certification from American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP); Flood Plain Manager Certification from FEMA

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of land use and community development planning

• Advanced knowledge of the law related to zoning, subdivisions, and inland wetlands and FEMA flood zone requirements

• Knowledge of principles, practices, methodologies, and techniques utilized to effectively manage and motivate a diverse workforce

• Knowledge of GIS software, specifically ESRI GIS Arcpro and ability to use the same to generate mapping.

• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, and Excel) and applicable department / organization specific software and ability to learn and become proficient in the use of other specialized software as may be required

• Skill in adapting to a changing work environment, competing demands and ability to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events

• Skill in developing, managing, and interpreting budgets, contracts, and fiscal and financial reports

• Skill in reading and interpreting engineering data, maps, and surveys

• Ability to clearly communicate and understand information in English, both orally and in writing

• Ability to speak with and before groups of various sizes, as well as ability to organize and direct meetings of members of the community and board/commission members

• Ability to lead and motivate others to achieve goals

• Ability to formulate, initiate, and administer policies and procedures for effective fiscal control

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret program related laws and regulations and establish necessary work processes and procedures

• Ability to effectively present information and technical advice to top management, interested parties, and individual and group stakeholders

• Ability to manage multiple priorities to ensure that deadlines are met and to set priorities that move projects through efficiently to achieve customer and quality objectives

• Ability to identify potential issues, modify processes, and resolve conflict as the need arises

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, residents, elected officials, members of commissions, boards, and community groups

• Ability to regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule (including for virtual and in person meetings, events, and conferences)

• Ability to work outside of standard business hours / week as required by organizational and job obligations

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort usually involving some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). May involve some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, walking or standing. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and extended periods of time standing and/or walking.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Tasks are regularly performed inside and/or outside with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, fumes and/or poor ventilation, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature, and noise extremes, machinery and/or moving vehicles, vibrations, electric currents, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, gases or chemicals, oils and other cutting fluids, violence and/or disease, or pathogenic substances.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Some tasks require manual dexterity, in addition to visual and hearing acuity. Some tasks may involve identifying and distinguishing colors. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing.

Salary Range

$81000.00 -$122000.00

Job City

North Branford

Job State

CT

Qualifications

Min. Education

Bachelors Degree

Min. Years of Experience

5

Required/Preferred Skills

See Job Description.

How to Apply

Contact Name

Burke, Rory

Contact Address

909 Foxon Road North Branford CT 06471 United States

Contact Phone

(203) 484-6000

Email

rburke@northbranfordct.gov