The City of Bastrop is currently seeking a Senior Planner or Planner (Dependent on Qualifications) in the Planning Department. Under supervision of the Assistant Director of Planning & Development, the Senior Planner / Planner is responsible for research, analysis, review, and reporting matters relating to growth, development, redevelopment, revitalization, and the physical organization of the community. The primary focus of the Senior Planner / Planner may include holding Pre-Application meetings, processing and presenting development cases and assisting developers/owners via meetings, phone calls, and emails. Special projects and reports focusing on demographics, records management, long range planning, development review, downtown planning, and/or various historical preservation activities will be required as necessary.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Senior Planner is the mid-level professional classification in the Planner series that follows diversified procedures and implements processes to accomplish end results, within guidelines. Immediate supervision is available upon request. The Senior Planner class is distinguished from that of Planner in that it is a higher-level class in the series that performs more complex technical, investigative, and supervisory duties requiring a higher level of knowledge and skill. The Planner position is an entry-level position for the Department while the Senior Planner represents additional experience in the Planning field.

Essential Job Functions

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reviews planning applications, including zoning, subdivision, site development plans, and other development related projects. Works with applicants/owners and their representatives before, during, and after review(s) to inform them of requirements, address comments, and provide final determinations from staff, Planning & Zoning Commission, and City Council.
• Reviews Certificate of Appropriateness and other projects, prepares staff reports and presentations for the Historic Landmark Commission.
• Prepares staff reports and makes presentations on applications and projects before the Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustments, Historic Landmark Commission, and City Council.
• Provides general customer services; responds to concerns and inquiries.
• Assists other team members within the division and department as needed.
• Assigns all 9-1-1 addresses (including address points, road centerlines, city limits boundary) inside the City Limits. Coordinates 9-1-1 data sharing with Bastrop County GIS.
• Updates Planning Department website to educate the public and provide useful resources.
• Administers updates and the implementation the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Coordinates with other departments and divisions to monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. This includes making policy recommendations to Planning Department staff and other departments to ensure future projects align with the Comprehensive Plan.
• Coordinates legal notifications as related to the Texas Local Government Code and adopted ordinances for projects going to public meetings.
• Identifies, as needed, amendments to relevant codes, ordinances, procedures, policies, and guidelines for the purpose of improving the development review process and meeting community objectives.
• Coordinates the City’s historical preservation activities with those of local, state, and federal agencies as well as other municipal departments and the general public.
• Assists in historic surveys, provides recommendations for treatment of historic properties based on best practices from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s standards; provides historical research and technical assistance as needed.
• Participates in updating historical preservation related ordinances, guidelines, design standards, and applying for Certified Local Government status; provides education and training through community outreach.
• Assists in reviewing documents and coordinating the City’s response to developers or consultants related to large and/or complex development and redevelopment projects.
• Builds, maintains, and expands GIS databases and online interactive maps. Digitizes data into GIS and makes it accessible to City departments and outside partners.
• Designs and organizes databases for demographics, development monitoring, and other planning related files. Develops and publishes the Planning Department’s annual Development, Demographic and Housing report.
• Analyzes processes and develops standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Responsible for filing, labeling, and maintaining all Planning Department files in accordance with records retention requirements. This includes assisting in training and communication on best practices with staff as directed by the Director of Planning & Development.
• Provides input and local direction for record conversion projects, records management technology, and electronic records management systems.
• Participates with Emergency Management when the need arises with the duties assigned.
• Performs any and all related duties assigned by Director of Planning & Development.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Community Development, Historic Preservation Architecture, or related field from an accredited school or university.

Senior Planner Experience: Three (3) – four (4) years of experience in urban planning, neighborhood engagement, or historical preservation. FEMA IS 100, 200, 700, 800 courses must be completed within one (1) year of hire.

Planner Experience: One (1) - two (2) years of experience in urban planning, neighborhood engagement, or historical preservation. FEMA IS 100, 200, 700, 800 courses must be completed within one (1) year of hire.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid Texas Class C driver’s license with an acceptable driving record to be maintained throughout employment.
• Membership in AICP and CNU-A desired.

• Any experience that exposed the candidate to public sector urban planning (such as coursework, government internships, job shadowing, or the like) is preferred for Planner.
• Municipal development planning related experience, specifically in subdivision plat review and zoning case work, such as re-zonings and regulating plans.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to work in the field including traversing uneven terrain. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.

Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees may be required to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Employees partly work in the office and partly in the field; when in the field incumbents may be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, and mechanical and/or electrical hazards. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required. The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Physical Demands and Working Conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.