JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Planner Current and Long-Range will play a vital role in leading and implementing a new comprehensive plan, reviewing mobility plans, and implementing current and long-range master plans. In addition, the Senior Planner will conduct daily assessments of land development and land use applications, while also contributing to long-range planning initiatives focused on urban design, placemaking, and mobility within the Planning and Redevelopment Department. This position will lead and oversee complex tasks related to growth management, redevelopment, and regulatory administration, reviewing development proposals and preparing master plans and code amendments in accordance with established policies and procedures.

COMPETENCIES:

Ethical Practice

Customer Focus

Critical Thinking

Time Management Excellent Presentation Skills

Problem Solving

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to Detail

Excellent Writing Skills

KEY FUNCTIONS/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING

· Guides, leads, and implements the preparation of new comprehensive plans, small area plans, corridor plans, and special projects relating to land use and development.

· Engages with multidisciplinary partners on long-range planning projects such as future land use plans, comprehensive plans, transportation planning, and infrastructure planning.

· Prepares specific plans, new ordinances and amendments, and take them through the approval process; prepare Master Plan policies and sections.

CURRENT PLANNING

· Supports Current Planning with site plans, re-zoning, subdivisions, special use permits, variances, and other land use entitlements.

· Prepares development impact reports including transportation, economic, housing, demographic, and land use related studies.

· Engage with community members daily to address both general and complex inquiries regarding land use and development.

· Conducts interpretations and analysis of planning laws and regulations as authorized by the Texas Local Government Code, Open Meetings Act, Municipal Unified Development Code, and other local policies.

· Identifies, drafts, reviews, and implements modifications to local planning legislation to better serve the needs of the community consistent with the long-term goals of the community.

· Communicates with developers and conveys policies on development related matters; prepares and presents staff reports for the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Commission regarding development proposals.

· Attends and participates in a variety of group meetings, including evening and weekend meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of planning.

· Supervises Planner 1 positions within the Planning & Zoning Division.

· Trains assigned employees in their areas of work including professional planning methods, procedures, and techniques.

· Verifies the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.

· Collects, compiles, and analyzes complex planning issues including the fiscal impacts of growth and development; reviews the fiscal analysis of development projects submitted by private developers.

· Provides long-range planning guidance and strategies to corresponding stakeholders, City Management Office, as well as City Commission.

· Maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.

· Performs related tasks as necessary.

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

· Knowledge of principals of planning, including state and federal planning and programming.

· Ability to conduct research and analyzes traffic and land use data to identify transportation system needs.

HOUSING PLANNING

· Determine plans and strategies and agency policy regarding implementation of policies, ordinances and programs regarding housing needs assessments, housing production strategies, and more specific requirements for needed housing.

· Develops criteria for selecting potential projects for LIHTC programs, TDHCA grant programs, and federal competitive housing projects.

· Collaborate with local non-profit housing providers to implement housing plan.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

· Collects organizes and analyzes data required in the development of plans or programs.

· Develops or assists in developing procedures for implementing plans or programs and developing procedures for measuring progress made on plans or programs.

· Provide research and analysis on economic trends and opportunities in the region

· Conducts and/or coordinates comprehensive planning studies, including data compilation, data analysis, report preparation, and presentation of recommendations.

WATER RESOURCE PLANNING

Applies and interprets state and local government laws and regulations relating to water/sewer services.
Creates and presents technical and program information to a variety of internal and external audiences.
Recommends, develops, reviews, and/or interprets programs/events addressing residential, commercial, and environmental studies for regional water/wastewater needs.
Serves as department liaison with internal departments, community organizations, professional groups, developers, municipalities, trade organizations, and other agencies.

Education and Experience

· Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, or related field, plus five years of experience. Master’s Degree and/or American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification strongly preferred.

· Knowledge in the interpretation of the Texas Local Government Code.

· Knowledge in drafting and administering municipal government zoning & land development policies.

· Knowledge and/or skills in short and long-range planning, transportation planning, urban planning, land use, community development, and/or economic development.

· Knowledge in comprehensive and long-range planning for municipalities.

Special Certifications and License

Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Independence and Judgement

Noticeable judgment; must plan for long-term; must recognize and resolve problems and situations through appropriate means applying specific types of procedures to issues without indicated guidance or destination, addresses issues that need attention, etc.; involves freedom in selection of work methods among approved routines, setting of priorities, or sequencing of tasks within established schedules

Initiative and Ingenuity

General guidelines: occasionally requires interpretation of available options to apply to non-standard situations; day-to-day work drives priorities.

Supervisory and Responsibility

Supervises Junior Planners.

Financial Responsibility

Calculates amounts due, using some judgment; receives and processes larger amounts balances receipts and cash from one or more other employees; monitors budget; brings problems to attention of supervisor; has substantive input into overall organizational budget.

Level and frequency of Outside Contacts

Frequent engagement with a variety of internal & external stakeholders to discuss development processes, local & state policies, as well as land use policies.

Physical Demands

Office job with little or occasional light physical effort

Responsibility for Equipment and Property

Responsible for use of equipment/property such as office equipment, supplies, etc., which are used in office.

Working Conditions

Office job, no adverse conditions. Occasional site visits are necessary.

Other Requirements

The City of Brownsville requires all employees to successfully pass a Drug & Alcohol examination and a Background Check.

ADA Requirements

The City of Brownsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

Benefits

The City of Brownsville offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support its employees' well-being and future. Employees participate in a robust retirement plan through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) City to Employee Matching Ratio 2:1, with eligibility for retirement after 5 years of service at age 60 or 20 years of service at any age.

The City provides exceptional health benefits, including medical, dental, and life insurance plans for employees and their families, along with vision coverage for employees enrolled in health insurance through MetLife. Employees and their dependents can also access care at Frontier Clinic at no cost when covered by the City's health plan. Additionally, pet insurance is available as a voluntary benefit.

Employees have access to deferred compensation plans through Equitable and supplemental insurance options from AFLAC and Colonial Life. Full-time employees accrue 10 sick days and 15 vacation days annually.

The City offers parental leave concurrent with FMLA for eligible employees, longevity pay, and 100% tuition assistance up to $5,000 annually. Furthermore, Brownsville observes 14 holidays per year, plus two floating holidays, giving employees a balanced and rewarding work-life experience.

Starting in fiscal year 2025, employees will have access to flexible scheduling options as part of our commitment to work-life balance.

EEOC Statements

The City of Brownsville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

City of Brownsville

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Senior Planner Current and Long-Range