The City of Watertown, NY (Pop. 24,500) is seeking a full-time Planner for the Planning and Community Development Department. This position works under the direction of the Planning & Community Development Director and the Senior Planner.

Responsibilities may include: Community Development Block Grant and other grant administration; housing programs; downtown revitalization; riverfront redevelopment; parks development; brownfield redevelopment; complete streets; urban forestry initiatives; zoning administration; formulating and updating the comprehensive land use plans and their regulations; analyzing, designing and developing processes and programs to effectively manage the growth of the community; planning, coordinating and directing redevelopment projects, transportation and mobility initiatives; assisting with developing a strategic plan and economic development goals in partnership with local and County development organizations, community groups and City Council; and responding to questions and concerns from community groups, City Council, City staff, and the public. Related work as required.

Salary range is $55,265 - $69,504. The successful candidate must qualify for and pass a Civil Service examination. Appointment will be provisional until the exam result is received. Please visit the City’s website at https://watertown-portal.mycivilservice.com/jobopps for an application, a complete job description and minimum qualifications. Apply by October 18, 2024. The City of Watertown is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

EXAMPLES OF WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

Develops planning studies and reports in support of new and updated plans, programs and regulations.
Reviews or assists in the review of moderately difficult development proposals and site plans for conformance with codes, plans, and regulations.
Prepares and presents detailed reports on development proposals to government bodies.
Collects a variety of statistical data and prepares reports and maps on topics such as census information, land use, tax base data, and occupancy rates.
Evaluates or assists in the evaluation and preparation of required documentation for rezoning, ordinance amendments, site plans, special use permits, variances, zoning compliance, and other proposals.
Acts as liaison between community groups, government agencies, developers and elected officials in developing neighborhood plans and fostering economic growth.
Coordinates community review of public and private development projects.
Provides information to the public regarding development regulations.
Assists in resolving citizen and customer issues.
Administers grant application and execution.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

Planning and zoning principles and practices;
Relevant specializations such as transportation, land use, affordable housing, urban forestry, and Complete Streets;
Effective writing and presentation techniques;
Research and data collection principles and practices; statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations;
Grant writing and administration practices and principles;
Planning terminology, materials, and practices;
Computer software, Internet and GIS technology;
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations.

Ability to:

Identify grant funding sources, and draft and revise grants for planning and development projects;
Review and analyze plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions;
Create graphic designs, development strategies, and render site plans via sketches and/or computer graphics;
Apply creative problem-solving skills to solve vaguely defined practical problems;
Multi-task and to work independently and as part of a team;
To prepare and maintain records including legal notices, agendas and minutes;
Communicate using interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and others to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction
Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either

A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Master’s or 5-year Bachelor’s Degree in planning, landscape architecture, environmental studies, historic preservation, public administration, communications, business administration, political science or a closely related field; OR

B. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in planning, landscape architecture, environmental studies, historic preservation, public administration, communications, business administration, political science or a closely related field and one (1) year of practical experience in either planning (municipal, community, regional, or transportation), grant writing and administration, zoning administration, housing rehabilitation and ownership programs, economic development, downtown revitalization; OR

C. Graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree in any subject and two (2) years of experience as defined by the limits of (B), OR

D. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A), (B), and (C) above.

Learn how to apply here.