Tora Johnson
From: Bub Fournier <bub.fo...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 5, 2023 at 8:50 AM
Subject: [MAP Listserv] City of Belfast - City Planner position
To: Maine Association of Planners <maine-associa...@googlegroups.com>
City of Belfast
Employment Opportunity
City Planner
The City of Belfast, a vibrant, development-focused community of 7,000 located in midcoast Maine, seeks a full-time City Planner. This position performs administrative and technical work in implementing the City’s zoning and land use ordinances and regulations, working closely with applicants, the public, the Planning Board, the Intown Design Review Committee, the Code Enforcement Officer, and Department Director in performing this function.
The successful applicant must have knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, relevant specialization such as but not limited to transportation, land use, or affordable housing is desired, and some experience in working with ArcMAP and other GIS. The salary range for this position is $56,656.00 to $74,282.00 in addition to a competitive benefits package. The schedule for this position is a 4-day work week, Monday through Thursday, but will require some attendance at evening meetings.
Applicants must be US Citizens. Minimum of Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, public policy, or related area of study; master's degree preferred. Two or more years of experience working for a local, state, or federal government agency preferred, particularly in a position that involved the review of development permits, application of regulations and/or project management. Experience with a consulting firm or private business that worked with government programs will be considered.
All applications are to be submitted in confidence and should include a letter of introduction, a completed Belfast Employment Application form (found on web site under Job Openings) and a resume which must be turned in to the Human Resource Director, Nancy Driscoll, at 131 Church Street or mailed no later than 6:00 PM on December 20, 2023. Applications should be in a sealed envelope and addressed to:
City of Belfast
City Planner Search
C/O HR Director
131 Church Street
Belfast, Maine 04915
The City of Belfast is an equal opportunity employer.
CITY OF BELFAST
JOB DESCRIPTION
CITY PLANNER
NATURE of WORK
The City Planner works in the City Planning and Codes Department. The work the City Planner performs is professional in nature. The City Planner performs administrative and technical work in implementing the City’s zoning and land use ordinances and regulations, and works closely with applicants, the public, the Planning Board, the Intown Design Review Committee, the Code Enforcement Officer, and Department Director in performing this function. The City Planner takes the lead role or assists in preparing and presenting planning studies and analyses and land use ordinances, and managing specific projects, often with public groups and City Committees.
The Belfast Planning and Codes Department is a relatively small Department within the City. The Department has five staff: the Director, the City Planner, the Code Enforcement Officer, the Planning and Codes Coordinator and the Administrative Assistant. It is expected that all positions in the office will work collaboratively with one another to fulfill the Department’s responsibilities. Our work involves frequent public contact, much of which requires providing thorough and accurate on-the-spot responses to how complex regulations would apply to a wide variety and scale of development proposals. Some of the Department's work can be contentious.
The City Planner reports to the Department Director. The Planner is a salaried employee and is subject to the requirements of the City of Belfast Personnel Code. Belfast City Hall is generally open 7am-6pm four days a week M-Th. This position involves attendance at evening meetings.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key duties the Planner will be expected to perform are listed below. This list, however, is not inclusive of all duties. The omission of specific statements or duties does not exclude such from being a requirement for the position if the work is similar in nature.
Key staff member in the Department who works with applicants and property owners and the applicant’s representatives (engineer, architect, contractor) in the review of a project application for a subdivision, site plan, use permit or shoreland permit. Work involves working with the Planning Board to prepare written findings of fact and conditions of approval that describe the Board decision.
Key staff member who works with applicants and property owners and the applicant’s representatives in implementing requirements of the City Intown Design Review Ordinance. This involves serving as the non-voting facilitator of the Intown Design Review Committee and preparing findings of fact and notices of decision for the Committee’s decision.
Works independently or with the Department Director to generate planning documents in support of new and updated plans and programs.
Works independently or with the Department Director to prepare proposed amendments to the City Code of Ordinances, particularly land use regulations, to implement policy direction provided by the City Council, Planning Board, and similar City bodies.
Prepares and manages or assists in preparing and managing grant applications and professional service contracts.
Working independently with one or more City Committees to help implement policy and program objectives identified by the City Council.
The City Planner will serve as a key customer service representative for the Department and City and respond to requests for public information and addressing citizen and customer concerns. Much of this work will occur at the ‘counter’ in the Department offices, which involves providing thorough ‘on-the-spot’ responses to public inquiries in a professional manner.
The City Planner must have some experience in working with ArcView/GIS.
The City Planner is expected to have the ability to develop a reasonable working knowledge of State and City Codes enforced by the Code Enforcement Officer, and to understand and apply how such Code requirements may affect decisions on land use permit applications.
EXPECTED KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, particularly as it relates to a small community like Belfast that is both urban and rural in nature.
Knowledge of a relevant specialization such as but not limited to transportation, land use, or affordable housing is desired.
Some experience in working with ArcMAP and other GIS.
Knowledge of public processes.
EXPECTED SKILLS
Experience with development reviews. The ability to review plans and apply provisions of City ordinances and codes to determine compliance with said regulations.
Effective written, communication and interpersonal skills, particularly the ability to clearly explain complex rules and procedures to the public and to boards and committees.
Creative problem-solving skills and ability to gather and present relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems.
Experience with group facilitation.
Ability to work on multiple projects or issues simultaneously, and to manage deadlines and establish priorities in completing assigned work.
Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed.
Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind.
Strong customer service skills. The City Planner must be able to work with people from all walks of life, and to treat all people fairly with dignity and respect.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Able to obtain a State of Maine Driver’s license.
This description for the City Planner position was updated in December 2023. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and the requirements of the job may change.
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