Associate Planner-Current Plans Division

Salary: $47,174.00 - $83,879.00 Annually
Location : KS 67202, KS
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: ASSO PLANNER - PLANS DIVISION
Department: Metropolitan Area Planning
Division: MAPD Administration
Opening Date: 02/05/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Distinguishing Features of Work
If you are a planning professional looking for an opportunity to grow, The Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department has an exciting opportunity for you. We are pleased to announce an opening for an Associate Planner-Current Plans Division. We are looking to create an innovative and dynamic team of hardworking, committed individuals with a passion for carrying out community goals.
This position will be substantially focused on subdivision activities and applications. Under general supervision, the candidate will perform professional work and be responsible for working with City staff, community partners, consultants/developers and other stakeholders regarding City plans, zoning matters and development requirements. In this role, a successful candidate will assist/process a variety of current planning cases; including but not limited to: subdivision plats, lot splits, vacations, administrative adjustments, conditional uses, and zoning change requests. The amount of current plans case assignments could vary significantly, depending on the volume of applications and staffing levels.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) is a consolidated City-County Department, providing professional planning services to both local governments. The Department has an annual budget of approximately $2 million; 18 positions; and four divisions. Applicants are encouraged to review the department webpage at www.wichita.gov/planning for more information about the department and projects.
The Greater Wichita region is a fantastic community. With an aviation heritage spanning more than 100 years, it is a community built on entrepreneurship and innovation. The Wichita region offers an amazing quality of life with a low-cost of living. The region boasts wonderful parks, more than 100 miles of bikeways, multiple museums, fabulous dining opportunities, hundreds of annual events, and more. Check out for more information.
More Information
Applicants are encouraged to review the department webpage at for more information about the department and projects.
The days and hours for this position: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
Bargaining Unit: Employees Council
***Posting may close at anytime***
Examples of Work Performed

• Accepts applications for plats, lot splits, and other subdivision related cases.
• Conducts research and prepares technical reports relating to plats, lot splits, dedications, land use, economics, demographics, natural resource, urban design, and other planning fields.
• Prepares and presents written, oral, and visual reports including recommendations to City Council, Planning Commission, interest groups, and citizens regarding planning projects.
• Prepares staff reports on full range of planning issues following accepted practices and procedures, applying judgment and interpretation of subtle aspects of the regulations.
• Assists in developing public land use policy.
• Assists in maintaining and updating the City's comprehensive plan and implementing ordinances in accordance with adopted policies and state land use law.
• Reviews development applications for conformance with principles of good planning, compatibility with adjacent developments and for compliance with land use regulations.
• Interprets, analyzes and applies the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code and Subdivision Regulations. Coordinates information with other department/divisions and agencies as required for project management.
• Staffs the in-take desk a couple times per week and provides customer service by researching and answering general planning, zoning, and development questions from citizens and other interested parties.
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

Requirements of Work
Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices and methodologies of current and long-range planning and state land use laws; Techniques of planning research and municipal and regional procedures involved in urban planning, including understanding of the physical, social and economic concepts underlying planning work;

• Customer service principles;
• Research methods;
• Modern office principles and practices;
• City geography; and maps, land use data and other technical material associated with planning

Skill in:

• Interpreting and applying codes, regulations and laws;
• Providing good customer service;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, other agencies and the public;
• Communicating clearly, both orally and in writing;
• Analyzing issues and preparing recommendations based on findings;
• Preparing professional correspondence and reports;
• Preparing and maintaining reports and records with accuracy;
• Prioritizing, managing and completing multiple project tasks;
• Ability to comprehend and apply concepts to solve problems;
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment
• Conducting research; and using a computer and related software applications

Required Experience and Training

• A bachelor's degree and one year of planning experience required. A bachelors in planning and two years of experience or masters degree in planning is preferred..
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.

Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.
CITY OF WICHITA
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
1. VACATION - Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year.
2. HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment.
3. SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one-half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a "Well Day." An additional "Well Day" can be earned following a year of perfect attendance.
4. HEALTH INSURANCE - UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plan are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre-tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance.
5. DENTAL INSURANCE - Two Delta Dental plans are offered - Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits) Pre-tax premium deductions are offered.
6.LIFE INSURANCE - Low-cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one-third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife.
7.SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE - Additional voluntary employee-paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable.
8. LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE- The voluntary employee-paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre-disability income for injury or health related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age.
9.VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT - Voluntary employee-paid AD&D from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.
10.RETIREMENT - The City offers two retirement plans - Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C-79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory - employees and the City share the cost.
11.FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - Employees may elect to make FSA pre-tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.
12. LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE - This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available.
13.MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES
Deferred Compensation Investment Program
Employee Discounts and Wichita Employee Association (WEA)
Bereavement Pay
Employee Emergency Assistance Fund
Voluntary Shared Leave Program
Training Programs
Longevity Pay
Credit Union
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Injury Leave (on-job injury)
Community Volunteer Events
01
The following validates my highest level of education

• High School/GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate/JD

02
My degree major is in the following discipline

• Planning
• Architecture
• Civil Engineering
• Geography
• Urban Studies
• Public Administration
• Law
• My degree major is not in the list above

03
How many years of related planning experience do you have

• 1 year or less
• 2-4 years
• 5-to 7 years
• +8 years
• I do not have related planning experience

04
Please tell us about any experience you have with working with community partners, consultants/developers, and other stakeholders regarding plans, zoning matters, and development requirements.
05
I have an American Planning Association Certificate

• Yes
• No

06
I am legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

• Yes
• No

Required Question