CLOSING DATE:  Open until filled. 

WORK HOURS:  Typically Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm

POSITION GRADE:  28C

FLSA STATUS:  Exempt

DEPARTMENT:  Planning and Development

POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Planner, an exempt, classified position, is responsible for directing, managing, supervising, and coordinating the activities and operations of the Planning Division within the department to include coordinating assigned activities with other divisions, departments and outside agencies; and providing Planning information to the Planning and Development Director.  This is professional planning work of considerable difficulty, in the fields of comprehensive planning, research, zoning, subdivision and urban design.  This position is under the general supervision of the Planning and Development Director.     

COMPETITIVE PAY

• Salary range begins at $50,385
• Opportunity for annual increases; current eligible employees up to 5% more for 2020
• Excellent growth opportunities for fully engaged employees
• Exempt

GREAT BENEFITS

Medical Insurance:

• Up to 100% of employee only coverage is available
• Option for three plans to fit your needs
• $0 deductible available for a nominal monthly cost
• HSA plan where nearly $100 monthly is deposited to your account
• 2/3 of dependent coverage paid by the Employer

Dental Insurance

• 100% of employee coverage paid by the Employer
• $1,500 annual benefit toward basic and major services
• No cost oral exams (twice yearly)
• Dependent coverage available

Paid Time Off Work

• Vacation - begin with 80 hours accrued vacation a year
• Sick Leave – 96 hours accrued sick leave a year
• Up to 24 hours Community Involvement leave each year, as approved
• 12 paid holidays a year

Retirement

• Pension plan through Missouri Local Government Retirement System (LAGERS)
• Vesting in only five years
• Employer contributes 14% of annual wages to LAGERS on employee’s behalf
• Monthly payment from LAGERS upon retirement for life
• Two 457(b) retirement plans to choose from for additional retirement income

Other

• Life and AD&D insurance to 1x annual salary paid by the Employer
• Vision coverage; supplemental insurance (disability, cancer, accident, etc.) available
• No cost employee membership to CoxHealth Fitness Center at the Branson RecPlex
• No cost admission for employees and their families to the Branson AquaPlex

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Requires a regular and consistent physical presence in the Planning and Development Department office at Branson City Hall and occasional at construction sites and other venues in the Branson area. Those duties and responsibilities essential to the position include:

1. Behaves in a manner that promotes a productive, healthy, safe and positive work environment by:
   • Depicting trustworthiness through integrity, truthfulness, consistency and honesty, and while protecting confidential information as necessary;
   • Creating and maintaining positive relationships at all levels by treating others with courtesy, respect and in a conflict-free professional manner, and believing the best in others;
   • Taking into consideration the effects on others, on costs, and on intended outcomes of decisions and actions taken;
   • Upholding the public trust by being safe, enforcing safety, and working promptly, diligently and with a focus on quality;
   • Showing impartiality and equity toward others, and not using job responsibilities to provide nor elicit special favors, and by not making promises that conflict with job duties and responsibilities; and
   • Adhering to all policies, laws and regulations as applicable to the role and to being a citizen.
2. Follows the legal and ethical direction of the supervisor.
3. Works on implementing, reporting progress of, and updating of the Community Plan 2030.
4. Prepares staff reports for Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and Board of Aldermen meetings.
5. Assists in the preparation of development code amendments. Assists in ordinance revisions.
6. Makes public presentations to boards, commissions, and community groups.  
7. Completes plan reviews to ensure compliance with applicable zoning and development codes.
8. Completes inspections to ensure compliance with approved plans and regulations.
9. Works with applicants making requests and trying to obtain permits for various activities.
10. Meets with citizen/business groups to prepare urban design plans.
11. Prepares long-range planning studies.
12. Researches data to analyze the most current urban design practices.
13. Works with city neighborhoods and residents establishing organizations and creating action plans to ensure their viability and longevity.
14. Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

*Any combination of education, training, and experience providing the following knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

• Knowledge of Federal law and State statutes, local ordinances and regulations relative to community planning.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of community planning and urban design.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of architecture and landscape architecture.
• Knowledge of basic human resources management including hiring practices, disciplinary procedures, terminations, etc.
• Knowledge of modern office machines, office practices and Standard English usage; business correspondence formats; accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the work of a division, and to put into effect and administer sound division policy.
• Ability to communicate (in English) clearly and effectively both orally and in writing with the ability to prepare and present oral and written reports, presentations and recommendations.    
• Ability to handle deadlines and stressful situations in a calm, orderly and accurate manner.
• Ability to recognize administrative problems and recommend and implement solutions.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and monitor activities and projects. 
• Ability to take appropriate initiative in completing work by setting priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to use a variety of City owned computer software (including Microsoft Office) and hardware for information storage, retrieval, data entry and communications.
• Ability to perform work with a very high degree of accuracy, while meeting prescribed deadlines.
• Ability to read, understand and interpret a variety of information.
• Ability to deal professionally, effectively and courteously with coworkers and the general public, handling complaints and problems in a courteous and tactful fashion. 
• Ability to use independent judgment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and working environment, which follow, is representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.  Limited accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee must be able to talk, hear, see, sit, stoop, bend and reach to both ground level and overhead; hold and grip objects; must be able to lift/move/carry up to twenty-five (25) pounds; have the ability to multi-task when dealing with phone, computer inquiries and physical interruptions.  Must be able to operate basic office equipment (e.g., copier, scanner, computer keyboard, mouse and other computer technology) required for job duties.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is primarily indoors within offices at City Hall where heating and cooling is regulated and the noise level is usually low. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions when performing inspections or working at construction sites and/or performing off-site work, where there is a possible exposure to hazardous conditions and/or disease.  The employee may experience safety hazards when traveling to and from, and while performing work at, construction sites.  The noise level in the construction areas are usually low to moderate, but can occasionally be moderate to loud.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• High school diploma or a General Education Diploma (GED) equivalent is required.
• Graduation from an institution of higher learning that is regionally accredited through the U.S. Department of Education with a Bachelor's degree in architecture/landscape, urban planning or closely related field is required. 
• Five years’ experience in planning or urban design required.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience commensurate with the requirements of this position may be considered.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

• When operating a vehicle in fulfillment of the job responsibilities, the incumbent must possess a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license and be insurable under the City’s motor vehicle insurance policy. 
• National Career Readiness Certificate preferred.
• Additional licenses or certificates may be required in the future.

MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a high degree of integrity, strong work ethic and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must act safely and follow safety standards while at work.
• Must be able to pass a background investigation and drug test.      
• Must possess a high degree of integrity, strong work ethic, and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must possess strong analytical and logical problem solving skills, strong interpersonal communication and relational skills, good organizational and project management skills, sound judgment, initiative, flexibility and be detail-oriented.

EEO: The City of Branson provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition to federal law requirements, the City of Branson complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. The City of Branson will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. All individuals hired will be required to provide documentation to establish identity and employment authorization as a condition of employment. The City of Branson is a tobacco free workplace.