Planner II (Grade 16) Job Opening

Planner II (Grade 16)

City of Huntsville, AL

• Huntsville, Alabama
$49,067.00 - $75,026.00 a year — Full-time, Part-time, Commission
Category: Counselor
Nature of Work

This is professional and administrative work in the Community Development or the Planning Divisions within the Department of Urban Development. Monitors the City's HOME program and prepares reports as related to HOME program and prepares reports as related to HOME funded activities; monitors Community Development Block Grant's physical development projects for compliance with federal guidelines. Monitors activities of subrecipients to determine compliance with federal regulations, and compliance with contractual goals and objectives regarding effectiveness in delivery of services, proper and timely reporting, and proper expenditure of funds; provides technical assistance to subrecipients to obtain a more dependable and successful delivery of services to the community. Monitors economic and community development projects that are in process; prepares reports and documents related to the projects; formulates and implements economic and community development strategies that will ensure maximum benefits for available funds; collects and compiles data concerning community projects; evaluates all programs for effectiveness. Assists in community meeting to determine needs of the community; assess information gained and assists in designing programs to better the community for low income persons; assists the Community Development Director and Deputy Director in the implementation of the annual budget, the action plan, the CAPER and the consolidated plan. Assists in the grant writing process for the Emergency Shelter Grant funds. Ensures that Davis Bacon and Section 3 regulations are implemented; prepares reports for the Department of HUD; prepares and implements the City's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing. Receive all applications for the Down payment Assistance Program (DAP), conduct interviews and assist applicants; perform mathematical calculations necessary to determine if applicants are eligible for the down payment assistance; aid Housing Counselors with providing accurate and useful information regarding credit reporting, mortgage programs, mortgage financing, realtors, lenders and post-purchase for homeowners; make recommendations and prepare documentation concerning approval or disapproval of applicants in compliance with grant regulations and guidelines. Handles all DAP loan closings; services all grant/loan packages for repayment provisions and recaptures funds; maintains timely, accurate, complete and compliant records and reports for the Director and Deputy Director on an excel spreadsheet adopted from HUD's IDIS report forms; participates with other nonprofit housing representatives to build and strengthen community coalitions on housing and homelessness. Maintains knowledge on the laws, rules, regulations and guidelines relating to HUD Block grants and entitlement programs, to include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, HOME funds and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds. Meets with, respond to inquiries and provide flood plain, demographic and other planning data and information to other employees, other public agencies, realtors, appraisers and private developers, engineers, architects and the general public. Coordinates meetings and activities of the City's Community Development Citizens Advisory Council. Conducts environmental reviews to ensure that departmental project activities meet the environmental requirements of local, state and federal regulations. Conducts research and literature reviews to keep abreast of federal regulations and to search for additional grant funds; reviews proposals and makes recommendations for project funding; compiles and analyzes statistical data; attends meetings. Conduct visual site impact analysis in the field. Provides information to the public regarding community development programs, projects and activities. Work involves researching, developing and preparing recommendations and reports and assisting with review of plans and applications toward resolution of a wide variety of urban planning issues according to existing laws, codes, plans and ordinances. Work also involves the responsibility for monitoring sub recipient activities to ensure that they meet performance measures, conducting research, gathering and compiling data and providing technical support. Work involves assisting senior-level staff members in preparing grants, reports and community plans. Work is performed with independence regarding collection of facts and information and preparation of reports. Work is reviewed by senior level staff members for completeness, accuracy and appropriateness and for adherence to policies and procedures. Prepares and assists in preparation and update of the City's Comprehensive Plan elements, and other planning studies and reports such as Long Range Transportation Plans, Sidewalk Improvement Plan; reviews report information with other planning staff and with city officials; prepares recommendations on planning issues and appropriate ordinances for consideration by the Zoning and Subdivision Committee, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Planning Commission, and the City Council; attends planning related meetings; makes presentations. Conducts research, prepares background information, compiles and interprets planning related data, assist in establishing and assessing criteria and with making decisions and recommendations regarding various planning projects; assists with site impact analysis. Coordinates project work with various City staff, private developers, engineers, architects, financial, state and federal agencies, non-profit groups and civic organizations. Prepare detailed legal descriptions, maps, experience with urban design theory and practice, and other graphic presentation products. Prepare and process zoning, rezoning and annexation ordinances for submission to City Council; prepare annexation petitions; meet with property owners, developers, engineers and various City departments to coordinate the annexation process. Review building site plans and photometric plans for the building permit approval process. Edits the Huntsville Development Review; pull building permits and certificate of occupancy data from Inspection Services; pull housing sales data from the Multiple Listing Service website; prepare a summary of document to the Planning Commission. Pull demographic data from the Census Bureau website and other sources; pull new data as it is released; pull data needed for various planning projects. Reviews and prepares staff reports and correspondence regarding permitted uses, zoning, subdivision, annexation matters, historical building preservation, fluency with Federal, State, and local historic guidelines and standards; experience with historic preservation; understanding of architectural styles and periods, particularly as expressed in Huntsville; experience with oversight/review of construction/renovation/rehabilitation of historic properties; ability to coordinate public workshops on preservation, and other planning matters. Coordinates review process for subdivision, apartment site plan, location and vacation of right-of-way and other submittals for Planning Commission consideration; assists and advises interested parties and the general public regarding the subdivision and zoning process and regulations, fluency in form-based code development and implementation. Requires regular and prompt attendance plus the ability to work well with others and work well as a team. May train, assign, coordinate and review the work of technical, clerical and/or part-time employees. May assist in the preparation of Zoning Ordinance amendments and Subdivision Regulations revisions. May compile data for and edits the Huntsville Development Review. May prepare submittal of grant applications for special planning projects; prepare grant compliance data and reports; assist in the preparation of community plans and reports. May prepare landscape designs and planting plans for parks and various City grounds: review building site plans and landscape plans and authorize building permit applications for zoning compliance. May maintain transportation and travel demand models and inventories; conduct transportation system analysis; update and maintain statistical data. May prepare plans for redistricting. Assisting with distribution of public hearing notices. Prepares information for presentations; prepares maps; provides copies of community development plans to the public. Calculate the population estimate for the City and participate in the Census Bureau's boundary and annexation survey. Assists with the annual World Changers event which assist homeowners (elderly and/or disabled) with exterior home repairs. Help the staff at the Edmonton Heights Family Life Center with their Housing Rehabilitation Program and their owner-occupied Rehabilitation Grant/Loan program. Monitor and evaluate the Meadow Hills initiative summer youth program. Performs related work as required.

Physical and Environmental Factors:

Work is performed primarily in an office environment and involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of offices. Work is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, bending, climbing stairs, and lifting light objects. Work requires physical dexterity in the frequent use of hand-eye coordination and manipulative skills using fingers, limbs and body in the operation of a computer and a vehicle.


Minimum Education, Training and Experience

Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Community Planning, Public Administration or a closely related field from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education required and some experience in one or more areas of urban or community planning and development. Master's Degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education preferred. Knowledge of the principles and practices of urban planning as they pertain to the physical, social, and economic design and development of modern urban areas and their application to community development programs and activities. Knowledge of the principles and practices of grants administration. Knowledge of various ordinances, laws, and regulations pertaining to all aspects of urban planning and development. Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations and guidelines relating to HUD block grants and entitlement programs. Knowledge of the methods, procedures and techniques required in researching and preparing complex reports and evaluations, including the public land survey system and ability to read and interpret legal descriptions from deeds. Knowledge of applicable research methodology and basic statistical procedures. Ability to plan, organize, and carry out complex planning research and to evaluate program results. Ability to gather and analyze data and to prepare reports. Ability to present information effectively in oral, written, and graphic form. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, employees of other City departments, community agencies and organizations and the general public. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, including the ability to make presentations to large groups. Ability to use modern office methods, techniques and equipment. Skill in using a computer.

Necessary Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid driver's license.

Desired Requirements:

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

Applicants May Obtain a Copy of the City of Huntsville's EEOP Short Form Upon Request


The City of Huntsville offers a competitive benefits package for its regular, full-time employees, such as medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment, cancer, off-the-job accident, as well as annual leave, sick leave, holiday and retirement.

Below is a summary of the City's benefit offerings:

Medical Insurance:

The City offers all regular, full-time employees a medical insurance plan administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. There is one option available: BlueCard PPO. The BlueCard PPO plan utilizes a national Preferred Provider Organization. There is a 30 day waiting period from date of hire.

Voluntary Dental Plan:

The City offers a voluntary dental plan for all regular, full-time employees administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company. This is a PPO plan which offers a network of providers who have agreed to accept reduced fees for their services. Any provider may be utilized; however, significantly less out-of-pocket expense is realized when using a PPO provider. There is one level of coverage available: Level 2 plan. The Level 2 plan offers 100% coverage for Preventive and Diagnostic Services, 80% coverage for Basic Services and 50% coverage for Major Services and Orthodontic, if a PPO provider is utilized. There are no individual/family deductibles for Preventive and Diagnostic Services and deductibles for Basic, Major and other Covered Services are $50 per person or $150 per family per calendar year. The plan maximum is $1,000 and Preventive and Diagnostic Services do not count toward the annual maximum. There is a 30 day waiting period from date of hire.

Voluntary Vision Plan:

This is a voluntary vision plan that provides benefit coverage for eye examinations, frames, and eyeglass lenses with applicable copay. There is also an allowance for contact lenses. The plan is administered by VSP. There is a 30 day waiting period from date of hire.

Mental Health/Substance Abuse Program:

A mental health and substance abuse program is offered through Behavioral Health Systems, Incorporated (BHS). It is available to all employees and covered dependents currently enrolled and participating in the Group Medical Insurance. All treatment must be pre-certified and approved through BHS. To arrange for an evaluation, call the City's Employee Assisted Services Coordinator or BHS prior to treatment being rendered. There is a 30 day waiting period from date of hire.

Life Insurance:

The City provides a $20,000 life insurance policy. There are additional benefits for accidental death & dismemberment, seat belt, airbag rider and common carrier. Coverage begins after completing one full day of work. Coverage is provided at no-cost to the employee.

Disability Insurance:

The City provides a limited long term disability policy for eligible employees with one year of service, but less than ten years of service. After ten years of service, disability benefits are coordinated by the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA).

Retirement:

The retirement plan is administered by the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA). Participation is mandatory for all regular, full-time and part-time employees. Tier II Employees contribute 6% of salary to the plan (7% of salary for certain positions in the Police and Fire & Rescue divisions). Tier I Employees contribute 5% of salary to the plan (6% of salary for certain positions in the Police and Fire & Rescue divisions). The City contributes a percent as determined by RSA.

Voluntary Life / AD&D Insurance:

The City offers regular, full-time employees an optional voluntary term life insurance plan. Employees may purchase additional term life insurance for self and spouse and/or eligible dependents. Premiums are based upon age for the employee and spouse. Premiums for children are based upon a flat rate. Also, the City offers an optional voluntary accidental death & dismemberment insurance plan. Employees may purchase insurance for self or family. The minimum level of coverage on both plans is $20,000. The plans are administered by Lincoln Financial Group. There is a 30 day waiting period from the date of hire. Please refer to the plan brochure for additional information.

Voluntary Supplemental Insurance:

The City offers an optional supplemental Cancer plan and an Off-The-Job Accident plan. The Cancer plan provides a first occurrence, hospital confinement, radiation & chemotherapy and other benefits. The Off-The-Job Accident plan pays benefits for injuries occurring off the job. These supplemental plans are administered by Allstate. Please refer to the brochure for an explanation of covered benefits. There is a 30 day waiting period from date of hire.

Flexible Spending Accounts:

The City provides two flexible spending accounts: medical reimbursement and dependent care accounts. Reimbursements from these pre-taxed accounts require a proper receipt. The plans are administered by Wage Works. There is a 30 day waiting period from date of hire.

Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans:

The City provides two optional voluntary deferred compensation plans. One plan is administered by RSA-1 and the other is administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Employees may defer portions of salary for a later date, such as retirement. Please see the Payroll Division of the Finance Department for further details.

College 529 Savings Program:

The City provides an opportunity for employees to set aside funds for education through payroll deductions. For additional information, contact the City's Insurance and Benefits Office.

Holidays:

The City recognizes the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Three additional floating holidays are given each year as authorized by the Mayor.

Sick Leave:

Sick leave accrual is 4 hours per pay period for all eligible City employees. There is no maximum amount of sick leave an employee may accrue.

Annual Leave:

Annual leave is accrued as follows: less than 10 years = 4 hours per pay period; 10 to 15 years = 5 hours per pay period; 15 to 20 years = 6 hours per pay period; 20 or more years = 7 hours per pay period. Employees may accrue and carry forward 260 hours to the next calendar year.

Military Leave:

The City provides a military leave plan that pays regular salary for not more than twenty-one days per year. Also, employees, called into active service, may receive compensation in an amount equal to the difference in the lower military pay and the higher public employment salary as provided by City Council Ordinance.

Longevity Pay:

The City pays eligible employees compensation based upon the number of months of continuous regular full-time service as of October 1st of each year.

Other Benefits:

Please refer to the City of Huntsville Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.