Senior Planner (FT) at City of Monticello – Monticello, Minnesota

The City of Monticello is currently accepting applications for a full-time experienced planner to join the expanding Development Services team. This is a new role, and we’re taking a thoughtful approach to finding the right person to set them up for success. Therefore, this position will remain open until we are able to find the right person for the role.

The City of Monticello offers an excellent benefits package including free single medical and dental coverage with a generous HSA contribution, immediate PTO, 12 paid holidays, and a discounted membership to the Community Center through the MERSC program!

General Statement of Duties: Performs professional work for the Development Services Department related to municipal planning and zoning including long-range planning and administration of zoning and subdivision regulations; performs related duties as required.

Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of the Community Development Director.

Supervision Exercised: Provides work direction to the Administrative Assistant and Community and Economic Development Coordinator in the areas of planning and development.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides general land use, planning, and zoning-related information to the public and stakeholders in the planning process.

• Completes research and review of land use and subdivision applications and prepares written staff reports and documents which include supporting data, ordinance and resolutions, research documents, and other related materials.
• Completes research and review of subdivision applications and prepares written staff reports for park dedication requirements for plat applications.
• Meets with applicants to discuss application process and review; works to resolve issues and present solutions.
• Presents staff reports on planning-related matters to the City Council, Planning Commission and Parks Arts & Recreation Commission as directed.

• Coordinates the environmental review processes required by state law and local ordinances.

• Provides professional consultation to other City staff and policymakers on zoning and subdivision matters.
• Collaborates with other Development Services staff to ensure public notice, meeting and decision timelines and requirements are met.

• Provides assistance with plan review for design of certain public improvements such as pathways, roadways, parking and other utilities.
• Collaborates with the Economic Development Manager on planning-related matters for business subsidy and other economic development projects.
• Reviews land use applications and permits for compliance with state and local environmental ordinances.
• Supports the Community Development Director with long-range planning initiatives and planning studies.
• Completes review of building permits and site plan review for compliance to ordinances and approvals.
• Completes zoning ordinance compliance, inspection and enforcement, including coordination with the Department of Building Safety on citations or violation issuance and the City Attorney and/or Wright County for enforcement action.
• Prepares draft preliminary plat and development contracts, easements and/or other supporting documents for review and process management by the Community Development Director.

• Completes planning and economic development research and analysis as directed.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contributes to the comprehensive records system for land use and planning matters including permits, reports, public hearing notices, agendas, minutes, resolution, audits, environmental studies, easements, maps, etc.
• Represents the Community Development Department at various meetings, public engagement efforts and events and directed.

• Performs other duties as needed or required.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS (RELATIONSHIPS)

• This position interacts on a regular basis responding to and providing/exchanging specialized information with Development Services personnel and other City department personnel, the public, applicants, contractors, and frequently with contracted consultants and city officials.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of city operations, policies, procedures, and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of community development/planning and zoning statutes, principles, practices, and tools.

• Considerable knowledge of federal and state statutes, and other requirements affecting municipal government planning and zoning operations.
• Considerable knowledge of Community Development, Economic Development and Department of Building Safety & Code Enforcement procedures.

• Considerable ability to organize and prioritize work, manage multiple projects with varying deadlines, collect and analyze data, and prepare accurate and thorough reports.
• Considerable ability to interpret policy decisions and guidelines and develop practical solutions and programs.

• Considerable ability to establish and streamline processes.

• Considerable ability to research and analyze problems and issues, utilize appropriate resources, develop and evaluate options, and prepare recommendations.
• Considerable ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with developers,

elected officials, the general public, consultants, vendors and City staff.

• Considerable ability to work consistently and effectively in a challenging and potentially stressful environment with a high volume of inquiries, applications and communications.
• Considerable ability to organize work and maintain procedures and processes supporting the Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority and Department of Building Safety & Code Enforcement.
• Considerable ability to utilize a computer with word processing, spreadsheet, database and Power Point applications.

• Considerable ability to interpret development and building plans.
• Working ability to type and enter information with speed and accuracy and to maintain records.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Majority of duties are performed in a standard office environment.
• Performs landscaping and land use site and compliance inspections on site.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE JOB

• Sit or stand at a desk for extended periods of time and perform long hours of work at a computer.
• Hear and speak effectively to communicate in person or by phone with city staff and the public.
• Visual acuity to read computer screens and print documents for long periods of time.
• Manual dexterity to type on a keyboard and use a computer mouse. Perform manual tasks such as handwriting and searching through documents.
• Office work may include reaching for documents and supplies, standing or kneeling to search through cabinets, fingering to find files, grasping documents, and repetitive motions such as typing and sorting.
• Required to lift and carry objects up to 20 pounds.

• Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Urban Studies, City Planning, Geography or a related area. Five (5) years of directly related work experience may substitute for a bachelor’s degree.
• Three (3) years of professional planning experience.