Assistant Planner

Department:

Planning

FLSA Status:

Nonexempt

Hiring Salary:

$24.99 - $29.98

Welcome, ‘ist das Leben schön!’ (Life is good!) At the City of New Braunfels, we seek out people ready to serve the community, plan for the future, and preserve our well-renowned natural beauty. Our five Core Values serve as a cornerstone of our work: Integrity, Service, Visionary Leadership, Stewardship of Resources, and Cultural Heritage. Do our values speak to you? 

What we’re looking for:

The City of New Braunfels is seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join the Neighborhood & Community Planning Department in serving the current and future needs of the New Braunfels community. Under general supervision, the Assistant Planner will perform professional, technical, and specialized planning work by applying ordinances and City guidelines to development proposals, special projects, and land use plans. The selected candidate will interact with and assist both internal and external customers, coordinate issues across various divisions and departments, build and maintain effective relationships, and may deliver presentations before boards and commissions.

Benefits & Total Rewards:

Our City team members are our most valuable asset! We offer Total Rewards when you join our team.

• Competitive medical, dental and vision insurance
• 2:1 match on retirement contribution
• Vacation accrual starts at date of hire – up to 120 hours annually your first year
• Get paid to stay – longevity pay on top of your regular pay after one full year
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Bilingual pay offered
• Certification pay for qualifying certifications
• Wellness benefits
• Keep learning – professional and personal development training available
• Paid volunteer time off – 16 hours per year

The responsibilities you will be entrusted with:

The following duties ARE NOT intended to represent a comprehensive list of all responsibilities assigned to employees in this classification, but rather a summary of the primary duties and functions. Incumbents may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be assigned additional responsibilities specific to the position.

• Researches, prepares written reports, and may be called upon to deliver presentations at public meetings and to boards and commissions-including, but not limited to, the Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission, and Historic Landmark Commission-ensuring the accuracy and completeness of all information presented.
• Depending on specific assignment, assists with administering a variety of planning and historic preservation processes, procedures, and programs.
• Provides technical assistance and professional planning services to property owners and other City departments to achieve community goals outlined in the Comprehensive Plan and the Strategic Plan, ensure compliance with adopted ordinances, and meet state and federal requirements related to environmental, architectural and historic considerations.
• Assists with special assignments and projects; may be assigned to lead special planning projects based on expertise, area of assignment, or opportunities for professional development.
• Collaborates with team members to support the development and administration of the City’s planning work program including planning initiatives, educational efforts, public outreach activities, and training functions.
• Answers inquiries and aids internal and external customers regarding zoning, the Comprehensive Plan, subdivision platting, land use, environmental matters, historic preservation, housing, and general planning issues, projects, and applications.
• Assists with tracking the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Customer Bulletins, and Code Interpretations.
• Provides technical support to boards, commissions, and department leadership, and assists in coordinating board and commission proceedings.
• Prepares written correspondence, memoranda, letters, and related documents in support of assigned duties.
• Develops maps and other graphics to illustrate land use plans and planning concepts and performs GIS analysis for zoning and planning purposes.
• Performs research and gathers data on population, demographics, housing, land ownership, land use, long-range planning, transportation, compliance, historic resources, environmental factors, and economic studies; prepares reports and white papers, and conducts studies or surveys as assigned; some field research is required.
• Assists in maintaining records, files, and maps with the GIS system.
• Develops cooperative and professional relationships with internal and external customers.
• Performs other duties and fulfills additional responsibilities as assigned.

Your areas of knowledge and expertise most relevant to this role:

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's Degree in Urban, Community, or Regional Planning; Urban Studies; Geography; Business; Architecture; Landscape Architecture; Public Administration; or a related field.  Preferred qualifications include one (1) year of experience in city planning, development services, public administration, or construction science, - ideally within the public sector.  Internship experience may be considered.  An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be accepted.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License.

Required Knowledge:

• Structure, functions, policies, and procedures of local government organizations.
• Fundamental principles, terminology, and methodologies related to planning, zoning, community and land development, housing, urban design, historic preservation, and environmental stewardship.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and standards governing planning, zoning, historic preservation, and community development.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Principles and state laws associated with digital record keeping and records management.

Required Skills:

• Interpreting legal records, technical documents, and map specifications.
• Reviewing and verifying designs, details, plans, and specifications of planning projects.
• Collecting, organizing, evaluating, analyzing, and presenting data and information effectively.
• Reading, interpreting, applying, and clearly explaining planning standards and procedures, applicable federal and state regulations, and city policies, procedures, and ordinances.
• Managing, prioritizing, and coordinating multiple tasks, projects, and deadlines.
• Utilizing graphic and digital mapping techniques, GIS software, and associated file management practices.
• Using graphic software such as Google SketchUp and/or Adobe Photoshop/InDesign.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with colleagues, elected and appointed officials, representatives from other agencies, businesses, and members of the public.
• Operating a personal computer and a variety of software applications efficiently.
• Communicating effectively in both verbal and written forms, with correct grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Demonstrating a “customer service first” approach in all work activities.

Your work environment: 

• Duties are performed in a standard office environment and may require extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, and reaching. The position requires the ability to safely lift, push, pull, and carry equipment and materials weighing up to thirty (30) pounds.
• Occasional field and site visits are required, including work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to work evenings as required for meetings.
• May be required to work immediately before, during or after an emergency or disaster.
• Embrace and uphold the City’s core value and workplace culture: “One City, One Team".

The City of New Braunfels is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, order of protection status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.