Senior Planner - General

This is a senior level planning position which is responsible fortaking the lead on a variety of planning projects and formulating and implementing strategies, ordinances, agreements, legislation, programs and policies.

General:

Performs duties as directed by the Planning Manager/Community Development Manager and acts as a technical advisor to the Planning Manager/Community Development Manager and Community Planners. Responsibilities include:

• Assists in the development, interpretation, presentation and coordination of County planning policies and methods.
• Develops, reviews and provides technical analysis for administrative decisions.
• Develops and updates data for Santa Fe County and other user agencies.
• Provides interpretation and assists the public in understanding the County Sustainable Growth Management Plan.
• Provides excellent customer service by responding promptly to requests in person and in writing.
• Demonstrates professionalism and courtesy in interactions with internal staff and external customers and agencies.

For Assignment as Senior Planner:

• Responsible for development of area, district and community plans.
• Develops projects and programs to implement County policies.
• Develops and analyzes population, housing and demographic data and projects future land uses.
• Facilitates interdepartmental and intradepartmental coordination efforts with appropriate managers, committees, authorities and boards on various matters including creating or amending resolutions and ordinances under the direction of the Planning Manager.
• Represents the County and makes professional presentations on land use issues; deals with the public in an advisory capacity on planning matters and represents the County government at public hearings, public meetings and conferences and gives presentations to public agencies, non-profits and other groups.
• Makes professional presentations on land use issues.
• Develops project scope and approach and manage professional services agreements for various projects.
• Reviews development applications including conceptual plans, site development plans, subdivision plans and plats.

For Assignment as Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S) Senior Planner

• Maintains the County Zoning Map and County Official Maps.
• Coordinates mapping for area, district, community, transportation and open space plans.
• Develops and updates analytical procedures for GIS applications and other graphic programs for mapping and illustration of plans, programs and reports.
• Develops and maintains digital data and data systems and assists in the selection of appropriate data software.
• Performs research to acquire data as necessary to implement County policies and data needs; collects and processes data from other public agencies and private organizations.
• Trains and assists staff members with the operation of GIS and other data software; creates computer programs and toolbars for commonly used GIS functions.
• Assists in the evaluation and implementation of GIS work programs and the development and application of quality control procedures.
• Prepares digital and hard copy cartographic products and reports, and spatial data analysis.
• Assists in the inventory of data.
• Assists interdepartmental and intradepartmental coordination efforts with the Santa Fe County GIS.
• Prepares annual population, housing, and employment estimates and projections.
• Represents the County and makes professional presentations on land use issues; deals with the public in an advisory capacity on planning matters; represents the County government at public hearings, public meetings and conferences; and gives presentations to public agencies, non-profits and other groups.
• Develops project scope and approach and manages professional services agreements for various projects.

For Assignment as Transportation Senior Planner

• Responsible for all transportation planning activities within Santa Fe County.
• Serves as Santa Fe County liaison for North Central Regional Transit District, Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Regional Transportation Planning Organization and the Technical Advisory Committee.
• Develops County Transportation Plans and transportation elements of County Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP).
• Reviews transportation and traffic elements of development applications including conceptual plans, site development plans, subdivision plans and plats.
• Coordinates on transportation and trail projects; develops design standards and profiles for roads, trails and bikeways.
• Coordinates interdepartmental and intradepartmental efforts in relation to transit and transportation planning.
• Participates in community planning processes to address transportation and transit issues.
• Identifies transit and transportation projects for State and Federal funding, as appropriate.
• Identifies approved Levels of Service (LOS) in accordance with approved LOS in the County Sustainable Land Development Code and Highway Capacity Manual.
• Develops and provides monitoring, coordination, and reporting for the County's Title VI plan and ADA plan along with plan updates, as needed.
• Represents the County and makes professional presentations on land use issues; deals with the public in an advisory capacity on planning matters; represents the County government at public hearings, public meetings and conferences; and gives presentations to public agencies, non-profits and other groups.
• Manages professional services agreements for various projects as appropriate.

For Assignment as Open Space Senior Planner

• Develops Open Space plans, plan updates, and policy recommendations related to County objectives for open space, trails, resource conservation, and parks.
• Represents the County and makes professional presentations on land use issues; deals with the public in an advisory capacity on planning matters; represents the County government at public hearings, public meetings and conferences; and gives presentations to public agencies, non-profits and other groups.
• Implements Open Space, Trails and Parks Strategic Management Plan and property specific management plans.
• Facilitates interdepartmental and intradepartmental coordination efforts with appropriate managers, committees, authorities and boards on various matters including creating or amending resolutions and ordinances under the direction of the Planning Manager.
• Develops programs covering design guidelines, standards, facility investment and cost estimates for recreation areas and facilities, including trails and parks.
• Provides technical assistance to community and special advisory groups, city boards and county commissions, staff, public committees and the public.
• Reviews open space elements of development applications including conceptual plans, site development plans, subdivision plans and plats.
• Serves as staff liaison to the County Open Lands, Trails and Parks Advisory Committee (COLTPAC).
• Participates in community planning processes to address open space issues.
• Develops project scope and approach and manages professional services agreements for various projects.

For Assignment as Community Development Senior Planner

• Responsible for development of affordable housing plans, policies, programs and ordinances.
• Develops projects and programs to implement County policies.
• Develops, inventories and analyzes population, economic housing, demographic data, and future land uses and needs.
• Facilitates interdepartmental and intradepartmental coordination efforts with appropriate managers, committees, general public, authorities and boards on various matters, including project creation and implementation and creation or amendment of resolutions and ordinances.
• Represents the County and makes professional presentations on housing issues; deals with the public in an advisory capacity on planning matters; represents the County government at public hearings, public meetings and conferences; and gives presentations to public agencies, non-profits and other groups.
• Develops project and program scope, approach, procurement and manages professional services agreements for various projects and programs.
• Reviews and creates development applications including conceptual plans, site development plans, subdivision plans and plats.
• Performs research to acquire data as necessary to implement County policies and data needs.
• Responsible for project management and site development of affordable housing properties.
• Provides technical assistance to developers, builders, non-profits, other government agencies.

For Assignment as Capital Planner

• Coordinates the County capital planning process, including the planning, oversight and preparation of short- and long-range capital plans.
• Performs complex capital planning studies and analysis; researches new sources of funding; and prepares reports and correspondence in support of the capital planning process.
• Coordinates development of five (5) year and 20 year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and CIP amendments and maintains CIP database.
• Identifies potential Impact Fee eligible projects in accordance with the SLDC and the NM Development Fees Act; works with consultants and other County departments to update SLDC requirements.
• Provides outreach and coordinates County-wide public hearings to solicit staff, commissioner and constituent requests in preparation for CIP and ICIP projects.
• Prepares capital and operational funding applications, amendments and revisions and prepares reports and correspondence.
• Serves as project manager for CDBG projects.
• Coordinates County CIP Policy and procedures to include coordination of project development and implementation teams.
• Acts as County liaison for CIP and ICIP programs and processes.
• Coordinates annual County Infrastructure and Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP).
• Develops and maintains ongoing relationships between the County and external funding agencies, including State, regional and federal funding agencies.
• Represents the County at funding agencies, as needed.

Knowledge / Skills:

• Knowledge of principles, practices, scope and techniques of land use planning; statistical and research methods and sources of data relating to growth management; subdivision land use, zoning and legal descriptions.
• Knowledge of capital planning, data compilation, graphic design, presentation and production techniques; cartographic principles; general knowledge of surveying principles and practices; geographic information systems (ArcInfo, ArcGIS, Arc IMS); transportation modeling and data base design and creation as applicable for assignment.
• Skill in project management; planning, organizing and reviewing work.
• Skill in training and advising associate personnel.
• Ability to edit and analyze studies, reports and plans.
• Ability to operate various word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and other software programs in a Microsoft environment.
• Ability to prepare accurate, complete and legible reports and plans, and present detailed, accurate, and objective oral presentations and responses to questions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associate personnel, other departments and divisions, other governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Bachelor's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Public Policy, Geography, Economics, Natural Resources or related field, plus any combination of planning for local government or an academic institution totaling three 3) years, of which two (2) years must be in urban and regional planning or in a in a specialty area where applicable GIS/Transportation/Open Space/Housing or Project Development and a supervisory and/or lead worker capacity; OR a Master's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Public Policy, Geography, Economics, Natural Resources or in a closely related field plus three (3) years of experience in planning for local government or an academic institution, of which one (1) year must be in urban and regional planning or in a specialty area where applicable GIS/Transportation/Open Space/Housing/ Capital Planning or Project Development and a supervisory and/or lead worker capacity.
• A completed New Mexico EDGE Public Supervisor certification will substitute for two (2) years of required supervisory experience.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed generally in an office environment and occasionally outdoors in varied weather conditions with exposure to dust, fumes, airborne particles and/or allergens. Work occasionally involves exposure to hostile or offensive individuals. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit for extended periods of time; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and talk or hear. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Clarity of vision at long distance and short distance is required. Occasional evening and weekend work is required.

Conditions of Employment:

Selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Additionally, selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid criminal background screening. Selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Driver's License as incumbent shall be appointed to drive a County vehicle during the performance of his/her duties. Candidate must obtain and/or maintain all certifications required.