Senior Planner

DESCRIPTION


The City of Sherwood is seeking an experienced and highly motivated

Senior Planner

Sherwood, Oregon is a welcoming community with residents who enjoy the quality of life afforded by picturesque surroundings, economic opportunities and community engagement. Sherwood has maintained it's small-town feel while growing it's residential and employment base. Just over 20,000 residents call Sherwood home and enjoy being part of the Willamette Valley known for its delectable Pinot Noirs and views of the Tualatin and Chehalem Mountains. Sherwood is located in Washington County, a hub for microchip and advanced manufacturing, with a population of approximately 450,000 residents. Washington County communities serve as great places to raise families for those working in Portland as well as neighboring employment centers that make up the metro region.

Summary
This is a unique long-range planning opportunity in a small, growing city in the Portland Metro. The City of Sherwood has experienced strong growth in it's residential and employment base in recent years and that trend is expected to continue. In the coming years, the City will also be completing Comprehensive Planning and Master Planning for Sherwood West, a 1,300-acre Concept Plan area expected to be added to the Metro Urban Growth Boundary in 2024. Land uses in Sherwood West include residential, employment, and hospitality. The City is also working to revitalize its historic downtown.

Under general direction from the Planning Manager, the Senior Planner will perform senior-level professional planning work in a municipal setting focusing on, but not limited to, comprehensive long-range planning. This position performs long-range planning work using advanced planning principles and theory with a commitment to robust community engagement.

The Senior Planner will serve as the Project Manager or support staff for a variety of long-range planning projects including comprehensive planning, master planning, housing and job opportunity studies, development code updates and other projects as assigned. This position will serve as the lead planner on complex or controversial projects to ensure outcomes are responsive to the needs of the community and consistent with City policies and regulations. On an as needed basis, the Senior Planner will perform site design and architectural reviews.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
This description covers the most significant essential and auxiliary duties performed by the position, but does not include other occasional work, which may be similar, related to, or a logical assignment for the position.

Essential Duties:

1. Oversee and/or participate in the development, analysis, evaluation, and implementation of the Sherwood Comprehensive plan in conformance with other City, County, Metro, State and Federal planning policies.
2. Oversee and/or participate in the development, analysis, evaluation, and implementation of community planning efforts and policies including Master Plans, Concept Plans, Housing Needs Analysis, Housing Production Strategies, Economic Opportunities Analysis, and other long-range planning projects.
3. Serve as lead staff member and administrator of the Safe Routes to School program within the city.
4. Serve as a department liaison with other City departments, external governmental agencies, business groups, and the general public on a variety of projects; tasks may involve extensive communication and engagement with property owners, business owners and managers, taskforce groups, and interested community members.
5. Respond to inquiries from the public, elected officials, special interest groups, and others regarding planning issues. Assist front counter staff on inquiries and research as necessary.
6. Regularly attend meetings and public hearings, some of which are outside regular business hours.
7. Serve as the lead planner on complex development applications from pre-application to public hearing and final order.
8. Identify and pursue grant opportunities related to land use, transportation, and planning projects that advance City Council goals and Comprehensive Plan policies.
9. Synthesize complex and technical information to prepare public information and citizen educational materials that is clear and concise, and easy to understand.
10. Work well independently and within a dynamic team environment.

Auxiliary Duties: Provide assistance to other staff as workload and staffing levels dictate. Maintain proficiency by attending training and meetings, reading professional planning materials, and meeting with others in similar areas of responsibility. Maintain work areas in a clean and orderly manner.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Education and Work Experience: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in planning, geography, architecture, urban studies, or related field including a minimum of five years of professional city planning experience at an associate or senior planner level.

Experience managing long-range planning projects and obtaining the associated legislative approvals in conformance with Oregon Statewide Planning Goals.

Minimum Knowledge: Broad knowledge of planning concepts, principles, techniques and practices. Considerable knowledge of statutory, administrative, and land use case law in Oregon. Rules, regulations, and ordinances applied to land use planning in Oregon.

Minimum Skills: Ability to comprehend and interpret land use laws, rules and regulations; ability to prepare clear and concise reports.

Ability to manage complex and politically sensitive planning projects.

Ability to design long-range planning projects including determining methodology, setting project goals and objectives, developing work plans, evaluating alternatives, and obtaining local policy board approval.

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; in public settings, to convey technical information to diverse audiences, including elected officials, city staff and community stakeholders.

Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse partners to achieve desired policy outcomes.

Special Requirements/Licenses: Possess a valid Oregon state driver's license or the ability to obtain within six months of employment.

Desirable Qualifications: Experience scoping long-range planning projects and managing project consultants and budget. Experience with the Safe Routes to School Program and grant writing. AICP certification.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility. Duties involve moving materials weighing up to 10 pounds on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc., and may infrequently require moving materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Manual dexterity and coordination are required less than 50% of the work period while operating equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment.

Working Conditions: Usual office working conditions. The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.
APPLICATION AND EXAMINATION PROCESS
City of Sherwood is committed to using a Merit Based System in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The closing date for this position may be extended beyond the initial closing date.

Selection Process
1. An evaluation of education, training and work experience of submitted application packets will be screened by Human Resources.

2. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an in-depth evaluation of education, experience and training taken from your employment application materials to include your resume and cover letter and responses to the supplemental questions (if applicable).

3. Our goal is to schedule oral panel interviews with candidates that successfully passed the SME evaluation step as soon as possible.

Please note: Candidates that are successful in the evaluation process may have their applications referred for additional vacancies in the same classification, or job family.

Veterans' Preference
It is the policy of the City of Sherwood to grant hiring and promotion preference to qualified veterans and disabled veterans in accordance with ORS 408.230, at each stage of the application and interview process. To claim veterans' preference in hiring, a completed Veterans' Preference form along with the required documentation, must be submitted at the time of application.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act
Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources or e-mail to: at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.

Status of Your Application
You will be advised by e-mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition . click apply for full job details

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