Planner - Historic Preservation Planning Technician at Town of Warrenton – Warrenton, Virginia

Grade 10

Non-Exempt

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONS OF WORK:

This position is responsible for professional planning work in the Community Development Department, performing a variety of planning, zoning, analytical, and research duties related to the Town’s Historic District, master planning, and land development applications. In addition to general professional planning work and land use applications associated with the Department, this position will be responsible for ensuring Historic District surveys and Guidelines are managed properly and kept up to date, delivering an education and outreach program for the Historic District and available tax credit, knowledge of the National Register of Historic Places and the Secretary of Interior Standards, administering the Certificates of Appropriateness of the local Historic District, development of historic corridor gateway overlays and reviewing neighborhoods entering the period of significance, as well as general planning work associated with land development and zoning applications. Work is performed under the supervision of the Planning Manager.

This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires reaching, standing, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

• Manages land use development applications (e.g. Certificate of Appropriateness, Special Use Permits, Rezonings, etc.) under the supervision of the Planning Manager.
• Contributes to Long Range Planning when needed through project specific planning, comprehensive plan updates, Capital Improvement Program, and a variety of other planning documents.
• Manages the Town’s Historic District, serving as staff to the Architectural Review Board; reviews and administers applications for Certificate of Appropriateness in the Historic District; approves applications or presents to the Board for approval; prepares agenda and staff reports for Board meetings; prepares correspondence regarding actions; administers grants and surveys; updates Historic District plans, as needed.
• Answers public inquiries regarding general information on planning, zoning, and the Historic District.
• Assists with the preparation and distribution of meeting packets for the Architectural Review Board, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Town Council meetings, as needed.
• Presents to the Architectural Review Board, including the administration of all meeting agendas, agenda packets, and meeting operations (once a month). This position will also require occasional attendance/presentation at other monthly Board meetings, such as Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Town Council meetings, as needed.
• Ability to ensure compliance with ordinances, statutes, and regulations; gathering and analyze data; providing support to the Department Director, Planning Manager, Zoning Administrator, and various boards and committees; preparing and maintaining records and files.
• Responds to zoning violation complaints and performs inspections as it relates to the Historic District, and prepares associated violation notices for approval and mailing.
• Completes on an as-needed basis the review of Zoning Permit applications and Sign Permit applications; processing and production of Zoning Verifications and addressing requests; various administrative tasks related to Zoning and Land Development projects.
• Performs related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

General knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, zoning, and historic preservation; ability to develop work programs and begin implementation; prepare and present technical reports; ability to interpret and analyze technical and statistical information and prepare technical reports; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instruction; skill in the use of geographic information system software a plus; ability to prepare and present graphic material in map and compute form; ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, other departments, board and committee members, elected officials, and the general public.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in historic preservation, urban planning, and/or related field and experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of an appropriate driver’s license valid in the Commonwealth of Virginia.