2525 Associate Planner

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Associate Planner

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 2525

GRADE 43

CLASSIFICATION Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, Center for Resource Planning and Management

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Associate Planner assists with and may manage community and regional planning programs and long-range planning for rural/small town communities by providing technical and advisory assistance regarding a variety of disciplines including disaster recovery planning, hazard mitigation planning, comprehensive and land use planning, land development and zoning regulations, site plan review, transportation planning, community development, and/or economic development. The Associate Planner conducts plan preparation and related research for assigned projects and coordinates planning activities with elected officials, citizen advisory committees, and the general public. The Associate Planner assists in the analysis of census and other statistical data and in the preparation of reports for local governments and community organizations. The Associate Planner helps to prepare grant applications and administer awarded grants.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in City or Regional Planning or a related field is required.

Experience: At least one year of responsible practical experience in planning is required. Education attainment may not count toward required experience. Supervisory experience is preferred. Experience in disaster recovery planning, hazard mitigation planning, comprehensive and land use planning, land development and zoning regulations, site plan review, transportation planning, community development, economic development, rural/small town planning, regional planning, or a related field is preferred. Experience with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and/or Economic Development Administration (EDA) funded projects or programs is preferred.

Skill: A thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of community planning is required. A strong research background is required. Strong verbal and written communication skills, computer skills, including word processing, database management, graphic design, and presentation software are required. Knowledge of other planning-related software such as AutoCAD, EMSI, ArcGIS/ArcMAP, ESRI products, etc. is preferred. The ability to compile and analyze technical and statistical data is required. The ability to work with minimal supervision, meet deadlines, and work efficiently in non-routine situations is required. The ability to work effectively with the public and elected officials is required.

Certification: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is preferred.

Other: Occasional day travel (150-mile radius) is required and may include occasional overnight stays. The position requires attending occasional evening meetings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists communities in planning by providing technical and advisory assistance to local governments and other public entities regarding disaster recovery planning, hazard mitigation planning, comprehensive and land use planning, land development and zoning regulations, site plan review, transportation planning, community development, economic development, rural/small town planning, and/or regional planning and participating in and assisting with the preparation of plans, programs, technical reports, and land development regulations.

2. Develops and makes recommendations to local/regional government entities by participating in and coordinating planning activities with citizen advisory committees, elected or appointed officials, and the general public.

3. Facilitates the development of potential sources of contracts for the Center for Resource Planning and Management and it’s clients by assisting in the preparation and presentation of project proposals to local, state, and federal governments, and other public entities.

4. Represents the Center for Resource Planning and Management and it’s clients to other government jurisdictions on transportation planning and community development matters by attending meetings, workshops, seminars, and other similar activities as may be assigned.

5. Assists in the compilation and analysis of census data and other statistical data and prepares projection and reports on data analysis.

7. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Director, Center for Resource Planning and Management.

8. Contributes to the overall success of the Center for Resource Planning and Management and it’s clients by performing other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Associate Planner is supervised by the Center for, Resource Planning and Management and assists with the supervision of student planning interns.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

REVISED JANUARY 2025

JOB FAMILY 4

Factor 1: Professional Knowledge, Skill, and Technical Mastery

Level 3.0 - 1500 Points: Entry-level knowledge of the principles, concepts, practices, and methods of an administrative, managerial, technical, or professional specialty. Knowledge permits employee to carry out basic recurring tasks and routine portions of assignments or to carry out less demanding professional elements of assignments in professional or technical areas including accounting or auditing, financial management, business administration, human resources, law, engineering, science, or medicine, while gaining familiarity with the University's policies and goals, business practices, and/or accounting systems. This level of knowledge permits the employee to schedule and carry out the steps of a limited operation or project, or to complete stages of a multi-phase project. Alternatively, knowledge at this level might also permit the employee to carry out recurring tasks and routine assignments requiring moderate experience in specific areas within higher education. Knowledge at this level is typically acquired through a combination of formal education and/or training and experience that includes a requirement for a college degree in a specific technical or professional specialty. Knowledge requirements may also include a limited amount of related work experience. Alternatively, equivalent knowledge requirements at this level include a non-technical or general Bachelor's degree requirement with a moderate level of additional related work experience or a non-specific Master's degree requirement with some related work experience.

Factor 2: Supervisory Responsibility

Level 2.0 - 130 Points: Regular, but limited, supervision, training, or directing the work assignments of (a) small numbers of student, part-time or temporary workers, or (b) one or more permanent, full-time employees. The nature of supervision is largely confined to scheduling work and assigning tasks. Supervision at this level typically does not include a full range of supervisory responsibilities, and supervisory duties typically do not consume a large portion of the work day.

Factor 3: Interactions with Others

Level 3.0 - 250 Points: The purpose of interactions is to advise or counsel others to solve recurring and structured problems, and/or to plan or coordinate work efforts with other employees who are working toward common goals in situations where relationships are generally cooperative. Interactions are moderately structured and routine and may involve employees in different functions, students, and/or the general public. These types of interactions require normal interpersonal skills.

Factor 4: Job Controls and Guidelines

Level 3.0 - 500 Points: The employee operates under general supervision expressed in terms of program goals and objectives, priorities, and deadlines. Administrative supervision is given through statements of overall program or project objectives and available resources. Administrative guidelines are relatively comprehensive and the employee need only to fill in gaps in interpretation and adapt established methods to perform recurring activities. In unforeseen situations, the employee must interpret inadequate or incomplete guidelines, develop plans, and initiate new methods to complete assignments based on those interpretations. Assignments are normally related in function, but the work requires many different processes and methods applied to an established administrative or professional field. Problems are typically the result of unusual circumstances, variations in approach, or incomplete or conflicting data. The employee must interpret and refine methods to complete assignments. Characteristic jobs at this level may involve directing single-purpose programs or performing complex, but precedented, technical or professional work.

Factor 5: Managerial Responsibility

Level 3.0 - 850 Points: Work involves providing significant support services to others both within and outside of the department that substantially influences decision-making processes. Work activities are complex and others rely on the accuracy and reliability of the information, analysis, or advice to make decisions. Work activities have a direct, but shared, impact on further processes or services, affect the overall efficiency and image of the department, and may have material impact on costs or service quality within the cost center. Incumbents may be responsible for identifying areas of need and for developing proposals that request funding to fulfill those needs.