City of Kent - Development Planner

The Kent Civil Service Commission Announces a Competitive Examination for the Position of 
Development Planner

Written Exam Date/Time: To Be Determined
Written Exam Location: To Be Determined
Salary Range: $52,386 - 70,309

Examination will be used to establish an eligible list for the
classification of Development Planner.

Application: Applications and information are available online at: http://www.kentohio.org/jobs
Applications, resume, and cover letter may be emailed to civilservice@kent-ohio.org Or returned via mail to Kent Service Administration Complex, Attn: Civil Service, 930 Overholt Road, Kent, OH 44240. Please note: that in the event of tie scores on the examination, priority on the eligible list shall be determined by date and time application was filed with the Commission.

Application Deadline: A completed Civil Service application accompanied by a cover letter and resume must be received by May 27, 2022, at 4pm.

Examination Process: A written examination will measure an applicant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities as exemplified in this posting. The exam is to be administered on Thursday, January 27, 2022. Only those candidates who successfully pass the written examination with a score of 70% or better will be placed on the eligible list.

Responsibility: Under the general supervision of the Community Development Director, performs a variety of routine and complex administrative, technical, and professional work in the current and/or long range planning programs of the City related to the development and redevelopment and implementation of land use, including site plan review, and compliance with applicable City ordinances and policies; assists in the processing and review of applications submitted to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Architectural Review Board; issues zoning permits; assists with zoning related code enforcement; performs other job related tasks as assigned.

Typical Tasks (illustrative only): Reviews and conducts written analyses of site plans and other proposals for development and redevelopment activities in the community.

Develops short and long range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations, including the decennial Census; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.

Provides technical and professional advice regarding zoning related matters associated with activities of the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Architectural Review Board. Provides information on land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans and related planning programs, services or regulations to architects, engineers, developers, contractors, owners, community groups and interested persons.

Assists in the development and implementation of the City Comprehensive Plan, land use regulations and policies, community redevelopment, housing, and other development-related policies, plans and codes to promote the City’s development and re-development objectives and goals and any inter-governmental agreements or requirements.

Evaluates land use proposals for conformity to established plans and ordinances; evaluates proposals’ development impact as they relate to the adopted plans of the City and makes recommendations.

Evaluates land use applications and site plans for compliance with applicable local, state or federal laws. Monitors assigned land use applications through the review and approval process, and prepares reports and related data, as required.

Provides staff support to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Architectural Review Board as needed and assigned. Prepares planning reports and supporting data, including recommendations or various land use proposals.

Assists City staff in the enforcement of local zoning ordinances and in interpreting City codes and comprehensive plans.

Updates a variety of maps. Prepares graphics and maps for a variety of reports, plans, planning related meetings, grant applications, publications or meetings.

When assigned, serves as a member of a community and/or intergovernmental planning group or committee.

Assists in maintaining the database of information associated with various planning purposes.

Responds to public inquiries about local planning and zoning regulations and ordinances.

Serves as a member of various staff committees as assigned.

Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of municipal planning.

Assists other Community Development Department staff members as needed.

Working Conditions: The working environment of the Development Planner involves exposure to conditions generally found in an office setting. The Development Planner works with office equipment, such as computer hardware and software applications, telephones, tape recorders, fax machines, copy machines, and other office type appliance and machines. Within the office setting, the Development Planner will move, lift and/or retrieve items of standard office use, such as paper by the ream or box, file record storage boxes and office equipment. The Development Planner travels as required, works out of doors on occasions and may need to work some weekend or evening hours in addition to a regular forty (40) hour work week, when required.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The Development Planner must possess knowledge of neighborhood planning and comprehensive planning strategies; or organization and research methods of the philosophy, concepts and objectives of municipal government. The Development Planner must be skilled in reading geographic maps, tax maps, development plans, and must be able to compile and interpret U.S. Census data. The Development Planner must possess excellent communication skills, which include the ability to communicate orally and in writing; to carry out oral and written instructions; to make public presentations; facilitate meetings, and organize people; and to establish and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, City officials and the public. The Development Planner must develop a working knowledge of the City’s geography. The Development Planner must be able to operate personal computers and run various word-processing, database and spreadsheet software and web-based applications and in addition, must possess the skills necessary to work on and produce maps using software and web-based applications using computerized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology.

Necessary Education, Training, and Experience: The Development Planner will have a Bachelor’s degree in landuse planning, urban planning, geography, public administration, or a closely related field, and two (2) years experience in municipal or regional planning.

The Development Planner will have knowledge of zoning laws and comprehensive plans including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement; knowledge of planning programs and processes; experience creating maps; and familiarity working with and interpreting site plans.

Special Requirements: Must be in possession of a valid State of Ohio driver’s license; must have a good driving record at the time of hire and be able to maintain such good record as outlined in the City of Kent’s Motor Vehicle Safety and Usage Policy.

Essential Job Functions Engineering Technician:
1. Assists in the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, City of Kent Zoning Code, and other policies and programs administered through the Community Development Department;
2. Review development and site plans as part of zoning permitting process with other members of the development team;
3. Exercises considerable independent judgment when performing duties and when resolving work problems with the interpreting ordinances, policies and procedures of the City of Kent;
4. Utilizes work processing, data management and spreadsheet software and web-based applications to generate graphics, maps and visual aids; maintains database and statistical files; applies computerized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the planning function;
5. Plans, attends, and/or facilitates meetings as directed by the Community Development Director; keeps abreast of changes in the field and in state and federal legislation.

Military Service: 20% extra credit for an applicant who has completed service in the uniformed services, and has been honorably discharged, or has transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service, or is a member of the National Guard or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States who, at the time of the examination, has completed more than 180 days of active duty service pursuant to an executive order of the President of the United States or an act of the Congress of the United States
OR
15% extra credit for any applicant who is a member in good standing of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the National Guard. The applicant must submit proof that the applicant successfully completed entry-level training.
Extra credit will be added to a composite score only after a passing score has been attained. A copy of the applicant’s honorable discharge, the DD-214, or certificate of service MUST BE SUBMITTED with the Civil Service Application at the time of applying.

Accommodation for Testing: Persons requesting an accommodation for testing must provide seventy-two (72) hours written notice to the Kent Civil Service Commission to have the request considered.

Special Note: In order to be admitted to the Written Examination, applicants must present valid photo identification (such as a driver’s license.) Only those qualified applicants that have filed an application with the Civil Service Commission by January 13, will be admitted to participate in the examination. All reference materials needed for portions of the exam will be provided at the time of the examination.

Firearms, deadly weapons, and dangerous ordinances are not permitted at the testing site.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific 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 constitute an employment contract and is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Kent provides equal employment opportunities and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, nation origin, ancestry, military status, familial status, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation in all employment practices in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The City of Kent is committed to fostering a workforce that’s just as diverse as our community. If you share in this commitment, have a desire to make a difference, and are interested in a meaningful career serving the public, please consider a career with us.

Our commitment to diversity creates an atmosphere that is empathetic and understanding of our residents’ needs and perspectives. The City of Kent actively seeks and encourages applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and characteristics to join our team.