Job Opening: Assistant Planner for the Town of Tonawanda

Job Description/Duties: This position is located within the Office of Planning & Development and reports directly to the Director of Planning and Development.

This position is responsible for the following activities:

• Assisting the Director in the Town’s mission is to help improve the quality of our neighborhoods through best practices in urban planning and the effective administration of U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) programs.

• Assisting in the development and maintenance of the Town’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and other long-range planning projects.

• Conduct neighborhood planning projects and updates as needed to address residents and business owner concerns.

• Provide the elected officials and other departments with demographic trend analysis that may be needed to adjust programs or projects throughout the Town and other departments.

• Administer the land use codes in Town related to planning and development activities such as the Zoning and Subdivision Law.

• Act as the Town’s liaison for other intermunicipal or regional planning efforts throughout the WNY region (NFTA, GBNRTC, ECDEP, NYSDOT, NYSDEC, etc).

• Provide technical assistance for project sponsors to secure financial incentive packages through the ECIDA, ESD, and other state or federal award agencies for endorsed projects that meet the Town’s land use objectives.

• Provide staff support to the local boards regarding current project planning including the Town’s Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the SEQR Committee.

• Keep local laws current and constitutional by updating language based on current case law and land use trends.

• Secure other state and federal grant awards and programs related to land use and housing.

• Establish and maintain a healthy working environment for department staff.

• Assist the director in preparing reports on land use activities and demographic trends.

• Act as a department liaison at intermunicipal or interdepartmental meetings and always treat the public with respect and an acceptable level of customer service.

• Assist the director in annual budget preparation and financial controls throughout the year.

• Assist the director in the coordination of work between the Planning & Development Office, Building, and Engineering Departments to ensure coordination between the various projects are being followed.

• Review site plan proposals for development of vacant property and redevelopment of existing land uses and coordinating the review process with all town departments, Erie County, and other interested agencies.

• Assist with the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) of land use actions as necessary.

• Review plans for new construction and redevelopment of new commercial buildings and renovations to existing structures.

• Assist the Director with internal controls related to program performance.

• Attend training opportunities related to professional development on an annual basis.

• Other activities related to the Department as requested by the Director in meeting the objectives of the Department.

Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from a four (4)-year college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Design, Architecture, Geography, Public Policy, or Economics and have two (2) years of urban planning experience. A Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, or Geography may be substituted for two-years of professional planning work experience. Applicants must have a valid NYS driver’s license and be an existing resident of the Town of Tonawanda or be willing to locate within the Town of Tonawanda within six (6) months of your employment date.

This position is a competitive civil service title within Erie County Civil Service and the position is part of the Town of Tonawanda Salaried Worker’s Association collective bargaining unit.

The starting salary is $56,923. The successful candidate must complete a 6-month probationary employment period before being considered for permanent employment.

This position will remain open until filled. Contact Information: James Hartz, AICP, Director of Community Development 169 Sheridan-Parkside Drive Tonawanda, NY 14150 Phone: (716) 871-8847 xt.1 Email: jhartz@tonawanda.ny.us