Associate Planner-Economic Development Specialist

Salary : $65,181.00 - $77,513.00 Annually
Location : Germantown Village Hall- N112 W17001 Mequon Road
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2024-7
Department: Development
Opening Date: 03/15/2024
Closing Date: 4/5/2024 4:00 PM Central
Summary of Job
The Village of Germantown is excited to announce it is recruiting for a new community & economic development professional to help guide future growth and development in the Village. This is an associate-level position in the Community Development Department and is involved in and/or responsible for a variety of community planning, zoning and economic development programs, duties, and tasks. From processing new residential, commercial and industrial development proposals to implementing local business attraction & retention programs to researching, creating and implementing economic development tools and opportunities to overseeing the creation of specific neighborhood, district and corridor master plans to administering and enforcing the Village's 2050 Comprehensive Plan and applicable Village codes, this position will play an important role in shaping the future of Germantown for many years to come.
The Village of Germantown has a population of approximately 21,000 and is located on the northwest fringe of the Milwaukee metro area. Although over 35 square miles in area, the Village of Germantown is only partially developed with both rural and suburban patterns of land use, character and lifestyle that impact the opportunities and challenges for this position. A planned expansion of the Village's sanitary sewer service area along Interstate US41, multiple and thriving tax incremental financing districts, and the Village's strong desire to develop and enhance the "Village Center District" as a pedestrian-accessible, mixed-use focal point and destination reinforce the need and opportunity for this position.
So, are you ready to grow with us? Whether you are in this position for three years or thirty, you will have the opportunity to expand your career and enhance your skills and experiences while following a path that supports your growth and sets you up for success. Germantown strives to attract, develop, and retain unique and diverse talent by promoting a diversity of thought and empowering employees to share their viewpoints and differing perspectives. Our work environment is engaging and focused on collaboration and team building. You will have many opportunities and the financial support to attend training courses, expand your leadership skills, and obtain relevant professional certifications (with potential salary adjustments and/or bonuses for obtaining and maintaining professional planning & economic development certifications).
The typical work schedule is Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30 pm. However, the Village of Germantown recognizes the importance of employees having a proper work-life balance and supports alternative work arrangements, including flexible work schedules and limited remote work to help meet your lifestyle needs. And for what it's worth, this position includes a private office with a nice south-facing view!
The starting salary range for this position is $65,200 to $77,500 annually with the potential for appointment above the range based on the level and/or type of experience, professional certification, and Administration approval. An exceptional benefit package is included.
The Village of Germantown rewards employees for exceptional work performance with an annual pay for performance incentive program. Employees may be awarded a salary increase, bonus, paid time off or a combination of each for exceptional work performance. The position pay class in 2024 is 4 with a full salary range of $65,181 to $88,653
NOTE: All application materials must be received by the Village no later than 4:00pm Friday, April 5, 2024.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Reviews plans and proposals for new development, prepares documents and staff reports regarding development permit applications, including rezonings, conditional use permits, site development & building plans, zoning code variances, certified survey maps, signs, subdivision plats and certified survey maps, planned unit developments, and Village code text amendments;
• Assists with the preparation, update and ongoing administration, interpretation and enforcement of the Village's comprehensive, land use, park & open space, and other plans, as well as, the Village's general zoning, floodplain zoning, shoreland-wetland zoning, and other development codes and regulations;
• Attend meetings of and provide necessary support to the Village Board, Plan Commission, Economic Development Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and other commissions and committees as necessary to present reports, recommendations and make presentations related to development proposals and all other Village community and economic development matters;
• Promote the advantages of the Village as a location for immediate or future development or expansion; serves as an advocate and liaison for existing local businesses, business and property owners, developers, Federal, State, regional and county agencies regarding loans, grants, data, educational, and other resources relating to economic development and the Village's economic development goals, policies, and programs;
• Coordinate and/or participate in projects and tasks that support the Village's ongoing effort to broaden the retail, commercial, and industrial base through planning, research, and marketing efforts to attract new industries and businesses to the Village and assist existing ones to flourish and expand;
• Coordinate and/or participate in the gathering of data on economic and fiscal trends, land, buildings, infrastructure, workforce, and labor and contribute to the collection and creation of department research reports and performance measurements;
• Research, create and implement economic development and other analysis tools necessary to implement the goals, policies and programs in the Village's 2050 Comprehensive Plan;
• Participate in the development and implementation of housing-related initiatives and programs, including the implementation of the housing-related elements in the comprehensive plan and completion of the state-mandated housing affordability analysis reporting;
• Research and seek opportunities for Federal, State and regional grants and other funding opportunities related to economic development, brownfield redevelopment, housing, etc.;
• Prepare and present staff reports to the Village Board, Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission, General Government & Finance Committee, other advisory committees, the public, and other groups to explain technical aspects of the Village's community and economic development projects and programs;
• Assists with Village code administration and enforcement by conducting research, property inspections, and preparing case files and reports related to code compliance and compliance with approved site development plans, building plans, zoning & conditional use permits; investigates complaints regarding violations of the Village's general zoning, floodplain, shoreland/wetland, and property maintenance codes;
• Coordinates and communicates with other Village departments and federal, state and county agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Washington County, State Department of Administration, Army Corp of Engineers, etc., regarding the Village's comprehensive plan, development permit applications and applicable codes, statutes and other requirements;
• Respond to information requests and inquiries in person, over the phone and online regarding the administration, interpretation and enforcement of Village policies, procedures, planning, zoning and other development codes and regulations, development permit applications and review/approval procedures; meet with developers, contractors, engineers, attorneys, and property owners as necessary;
• Assists other department staff with daily tasks related to receiving, filing, reviewing and approving development permit and plan approval applications required under the General Zoning, Floodplain Zoning, Shoreland-Wetland Zoning, and Subdivision and Platting Codes;
• Develops informational and promotional materials regarding department functions, programs, development review procedures, permit and plan approval requirements;
• Assists with the setup, operation and maintenance of the Department's various data and information management systems, financial budgeting, billing and tracking systems, and other manual or digital filing and communication and record keeping functions the Department is responsible to maintain (e.g. ZoningHub, GIS database, EnerGov, Tyler Technologies, Village website, Webex, CivicClerk, etc.)
• Performs other duties and tasks to assist the Planning & Zoning Assistant and Community Development Director as needed and directed to carry out the Department's community & economic development functions and responsibilities

Typical Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in city, urban or regional planning, public administration, public policy, business/finance, geography/geographic information systems, landscape architecture, environmental studies, or other related field is required or attainable within 6-9 months;
• Minimum 6 months of professional experience in community development, public administration, or other experience in a municipal, county, or regional government agency is desirable, but other public or private-sector experience will be considered if the candidate possesses the required knowledge, skills, and abilities;
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices and techniques of community planning, public administration & finance, economic development, zoning administration and enforcement is desirable;
• Knowledge of and ability to read and comprehend site plans, building plans, surveys, topographic maps, legal descriptions and tax parcel records;
• Knowledge of and experience with Microsoft 365 including Word, Excel, PowerPoint; ESRI or other geographic information systems (GIS), Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), web and cloud-based zoning, GIS, Webex/Teams/Zoom communication systems, community engagement and/or permitting systems is required;
• Candidate with (or willingness and ability to obtain) AICP, CEcD, or other economic development-related certifications is desirable;
• A combination of education and experience that otherwise demonstrates a candidate has the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position will be considered.

Culture of Learning & Development
The Village of Germantown is committed to future investment by providing training resources to encourage employee professional development and growth within our organization. While employed with the Village of Germantown, employees have the opportunity to pursue their career goals, and interests by participating in the following programs:

• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Supervisory Trainings
• Skill Development Trainings
• Self-paced learning opportunities
• Professional Association membership dues paid by the Village

Employer Paid Leave

• Holidays :11 paid Holidays per year.
• Sick Days :12 days/year, effective the first full month of employment (max 150 days).
• Bereavement: 3 days
• Paid Vacation: Employees earn vacation leave beginning the first day of employment and are eligible to use it as you earn it.

Vacation hours Accrual Rate
Recreation Discounts
Employees are given discounts for our Park & Recreation Programs as well as discount to our Kids Klub childcare.
Wellness Program
The Village of Germantown's Go365 wellness incentive program automatically integrates members' activity data from connections to apps, devices, gyms, studios and more so members can earn Points no matter how they're exercising. Employees earn wellness rewards for taking care of their everyday health-from completing fun activities and Challenges to regular dental exams and wellness checkups.
Employee Assistance Program
The EAP is available at no cost to all employees and their household members. The EAP provides confidential guidance on legal, financial and personal issues that could affect your health, relationships and job performance.
Health Insurance
United Medical Resources (UMR) through United Health Care. Effective on the first day! Employees have a 12% premium share with wellness participation or 25% premium share if they choose to not participate in the wellness program.

• Gold Plan - Deductible: $1,000 Single; $2,000 Family
  • Premium - $120.64/month Single; $289.55/month Family
• Silver Plan - High Deductible Health Plan with HSA contribution*
  • Deductible: $2,500 Single; $5,000 Family
  • Premium $103.20/month Single; $247.69/month Family
  • *HSA Village Contribution - $1,250/year Single (quarterly); $2,500/year Family (quarterly).

Dental Insurance
$1,300 annual benefit per eligible person; Premium paid 100% by the Village with $25 deductible.
Life Insurance
Employer-paid basic premium, value equal to 100% of the employee's annual salary rounded to the highest $1,000 with employee option to purchase up to two additional increments for a total of 3 times the employee's annual salary.
Long Term/Short Term Disability Insurance
The Village of Germantown offers a Short Term Disability plan through ETF to any regular employee that works at least 24 hours per week. The premium is paid 100% by ETF and the plan pays a monthly benefit of 75% of monthly base salary after the employee has been off work for 30 days.
Supplemental Benefits
Accident Insurance and Vision Insurance
Retirement
Wisconsin Retirement Sys...