HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070220 - VI-03Memorandum
VI-3
To: Mayor Hicks and City Councilmembers
From: Melanie Mesko Lee, Assistant City Administrator
Re: Associate Planner/HPC Specialist Position Evaluation &
Recommendation
Date: February 15, 2007
Council Action Requested:
Approve the attached Associate Planner/HPC Specialist job description and authorize
staff to begin recruiting for this position.
Background Information:
As part of the 2007 budget, the City Council approved the creation of an Associate
Planner/HPC Specialist position. The intent of this position is to provide assistance to
the City's planning &HPC staff needs. Below is an evaluation of the position's proposed
value.
The position is closely aligned with the current Associate Planner/GIS Technician
position, with a small focus on HPC issues as opposed to GIS issues. Therefore, it is
recommended that the position be valued the same as the current Associate
Planner/GIS Technician position.
This is proposed to be anon-union, non-exempt position.
If you have any questions about this memo, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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Position Title:
Department:
Union:
Exempt:
Reports To:
Normal Shift:
Approved by CC:
Associate Planner/HPC Specialist
Planning/Historic Preservation
No
No
Planning Director
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday
Full-Time
Summary
This is anon-union, non-exempt position that is primarily responsible
for the coordination and enforcement of City Planning (75%) and
Heritage Preservation (25%) functions in compliance with Hastings
City Code. This position performs professional planning and heritage
preservation work both in the field and in the office with considerable
independence under the general supervision of the Planning pirector
and HRA Director. Work will involve responsibility for investigating,
inspecting, and providing information concerning City land use, zoning,
subdivision, and heritage preservation regulations. This position
involves reviewing, advising and inspecting the completion of various
zoning, land use and heritage preservation applications. This position
will also assist in preparation of reports and presentations to the
Planning Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, and City
Council.
Essential Duties & Resaonsibilities
Planning (95%)
• Responds to inquiries related to land use, zoning and subdivision
issues.
• Confers with property owners, builders, and developers on various
land use, zoning, and subdivision issues.
• Assists in the preparation and presentation of Planning
Commission agenda and packets, City Council reports and
presentation materials, and reports/information to other City
commissions and committees as needed; including but not limited
to the Natural Resources and Recreation Commission, Heritage
Preservation Commission, and Economic Development
Commission.
• Reviews building permit applications to ensure compliance with
land use and zoning.
• Reviews requests relating to current and long-range planning
issues.
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Assoaate PlannerMPC Specialist
Page 2 of 4
• Administers the necessary procedures and processes for various
zoning, land use, and subdivision permits.
• Enforces the City's zoning and subdivision ordinances as well as
site plan and subdivision requirements.
• Maintains property maps and records files in computer and hard
copy format
• Assists with Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping.
• Keeps informed of all aspects of municipal planning and
researches possible methods which can be used in the City of
Hastings.
Heritage Preservation f25%1
Act as primary contact for administration of the City of Hastings'
Heritage Preservation Ordinance, act as staff support to the Heritage
Preservation, and assist owners of designated properties.
• Assist the public with preservation questions and applications for
Certificates of Approval; coordinate property reviews with HPC
agendas.
• Monitor compliance with preservation ordinance and guidelines
• Promote preservation awareness and ensure that current
information is available to the public.
• Maintain and continue surveys, nominations, designations and
documentation of historic properties in Hastings.
• Heritage Preservation Commission
o Prepare agenda, minutes design reviews for meetings
o Review Certificate of Approval applications and make
recommendations based on ordinance and HPC guidelines
o Attend HPC meetings and advise commissioners on
questions and issues
o Coordinate HPC approvals with Department of Building
Safety and Planning Department for appropriate building
and sign permits for applicable properties.
Other
• Performs special projects as needed.
• Regular attendance is required.
• Performs other duties and assumes other responsibilities as
apparent or as delegated.
These examples of areas of responsibility are intended only as an illustration
of the various type of work pertormed, and are not meant to be all inclusive.
The position description is subject to change as the needs of the employer
and the requirements of the position change.
Knowledge. Skills ~ Abilities
• Knowledge of the theories, principles, and trends of municipal land
use of planning and heritage preservation, and the ability to apply
the knowledge of these concepts to current and long-range
planning activities in the City of Hastings.
• Ability to make effective public presentations both verbally with
computer applications and in writing.
• Knowledge of and ability to use ESRI GIS products in the
preparation of maps, projects, and applications.
Associate PlannedHPC Specialist
Page 3 ~ 4
• Knowledge of and ability to use database software (i.e. Microsoft
Access)
• Ability to read and comprehend all types of maps and development
plans, land use applications, taws and city policies as they relate to
land use planning and zoning.
• Ability to create reports and documents using computer
technology.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, Regional, and County regulations
and policies as they relate to land use, planning, and heritage
preservation. These include, but are not limited to: MUSA
guidelines, wetland regulations, critical areas, Shoreland
management ordinances, housing trends, and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with the
public, developers, City Council, other City Commissioners, and
City staff.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Criteria to Qualify for this Position
• Bachelors of Arts degree in urban planning, heritage preservation,
or closely related field.
• One-three years experience in public sector/municipal planning
administration
• EducatioNexperience with historic rehabilitation, restoration, or
historic site management and maintenance, and/or with historic
preservation administration at state or municipal level.
• Considerable knowledge of computer applications to include word
processing, spreadsheets, databases, and computer presentation
software.
• Working knowledge and experience using geographic information
systems (GIS).
• Experience working independently with strong self-motivation and
time management skills.
• Good verbal and written English communication skills.
• A valid drivers license with Minnesota driving privileges.
• Successful completion of a comprehensive background
investigation.
Desired Qualifications
• Masters degree in urban planning, heritage preservation, or closely
related field.
• Over three years experience in public sector/municipal planning
administration
• Education/experience with historic rehabilitation, restoration, or
historic site management and maintenance, and/or with historic
preservation administration at state or municipal level.
Competencies Common to All Citv Positions:
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of all
departmental and applicable City policies and procedures in order
to help facilitate compliance with such policies and procedures by
personnel.
Assoaate PlannerJHPC Specialist
Page 4 of 4
• bemonstration, by personal example, of the service, excellence,
and integrity expected from all staff.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-
workers, including wilting assistance to newer staff so job
responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as
possible.
• Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of
all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions
and responsibilities.
• Represent the City of Hastings in a professional manner to the
general public and outside contacts and constituencies.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by
an employee to successfulty perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations maybe made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly
required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or
operate objects, tools, or equipment; and reach with hands and arms;
climb or balance, stoop, knell, crouch or crawl; taste and smell; lift of
move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job
include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision,
depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an
employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations maybe made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
Work is performed primarily in an office, and occasionally in outdoor
settings. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful
situations. The noise level in the work environment is generally quiet
in office settings and may occasionally be loud.
Supervision of Others:
This position is not responsible for any oversight of other staff.
Employee Initials: Date:
Supervisor/
Dept. Head Initials: Date:
CA/ACA initials: Date:
The omission of speGhc statements Of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work
is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not owutitute
an employment agreement between the employer and empkyee and is subject to change by the
employer as the needs of the empoyer and requirements of the job Gunge.