Position Summary

Do you have an interest in serving the public and working for a great city? Join Brooklyn Center and be a part of an amazing group of city employees who are proud of the work they do every day. The Community Development Department is currently recruiting a full-time, benefit-eligible, Associate Planner.

Reporting to the community development director, the associate planner works cooperatively with the community development department and other departments and stakeholders to forward the City’s strategic priorities regarding economic development, community development and housing. This position primarily works with the city planner to administer the zoning code, review and process development applications, review permits, research and develop strategies to improve policies and regulations, and handle day-to-day planning and zoning matters. A core function of this position is to provide exceptional customer service to residents and stakeholders.

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• 
  Interprets and applies applicable state and local codes, ordinances and regulations.
• Conducts reviews and prepares planning staff reports on development applications, attends and gives presentations at meetings of the City Council and Planning Commission.
• Coordinates with the community development director, city planner, project consultants, and other departments to process and review planning commission applications in accordance with the City’s regulations and procedures.
• Proactively identifies community opportunities, problems, and issues, to improve the community. Shares findings and recommendations to appropriate parties in a timely fashion.
• Develops strategies to promote economic and community development and efficient land use consistent with community goals.
• Assists with research, development, implementation and project coordination of housing and redevelopment projects, policies, and programs.
• Assists with research and development of housing policies and ordinance
• Prepares, writes and administers grant applications relating to housing and redevelopment.
• Interacts with other governmental units, including the state of Minnesota, Hennepin County, Metropolitan Council, and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Researches and responds to Zoning Letter requests.
• Provides information on the City’s planning program, zoning code and development procedures to citizens, property owners, architects, engineers, developers and contractors and others in a helpful, customer-oriented manner.
• Reviews permits for compliance with Code criteria.
• Interprets and administers zoning, housing, nuisance and other codes, and makes determinations when code provisions are vague or in conflict with each other.
• Identifies inconsistencies in code provisions and recommends code revisions. Researches and prepares code revisions as assigned.
• Researches and prepares studies on planning, economic development and policy issues to meet the City’s needs.
• Maintains computer databases systems needed in the course of performing functions assigned to this position.
• Works on duties and projects with other departments as assigned by the Director.
• May serve as a staff liaison to the Housing Commission, citizen groups and employee committees.
• Other duties as assigned or apparent.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Interpersonal Relationships: Passionate about customer service. Committed to establishing a safe, productive, collaborative culture that values diversity, equity and inclusion. Fair and equitable when working with people. Able to build strong relationships with a variety of people.

Communications : Actively listens and asks effective questions to gain a shared understanding of someone’s needs and situation. Possesses strong written and interpersonal communication skills. Adept at deescalating tense situations and at peacefully resolving conflict. Can adapt to a wide variety of cultures successfully. Must be able to effectively represent the organization to the community by building trust and strong relationships. Can produce effective presentations and reports including research, synthesis of information, preparing text, graphs, charts and graphics.

Decision Making : Accurately assesses a situation, anticipates needs and evaluates alternatives. Able to act in a decisive, equitable manner, using sound judgment. Is resourceful and able to improvise as necessary and successfully adapt in a timely fashion. Develops a course of action and maintain momentum to reach successful conclusions to assignments within agreed upon time frames.

Quality of Work : Clear understanding of the City’s vision and strategy. Able to work in a way that helps the City realize its vision and make progress on its strategy. Takes initiative. Dependable. Able to work independently with minimal supervision. Utilizes work time properly and productively. Consistently produces quality, accurate work.

Technical Knowledge: Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience. At least one year of experience in community planning or zoning administration. Knowledge of municipal planning principles, practices and methods. Ability to review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions. Possess research and analytical skills for the development, implementation, and evaluation of ordinances and projects; and the ability to read and interpret site plans, understand and interpret ordinance requirements for determining compliance, and effectively relate information to the general public, property owners, professionals, and enforcement officers. Must have statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations.

Physical Abilities : May need to work some evenings and weekends. Must have transportation to work in various work sites.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, community development, public administration, or related field.
• One year of experience and responsibility in planning and/or zoning code administration.

Supplemental Information

Desirable Qualifications

• 
  Master’s degree in planning, community development, public administration, or related field.
• Two or more years of experience in municipal planning and zoning code administration
• Experience in housing program development or policy development.
• Ability to speak, read or write any language other than English, including sign language.

The City of Brooklyn Center will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, ability, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, veteran status, or membership on a local human rights commission, genetic information, gender identity or gender expression, and lawful participation in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Patient Registry. The City of Brooklyn Center will take all necessary steps to ensure that all employment practices are free of such discrimination.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. Therefore, it is also not, nor can it be implied to be, a contract of employment. The contents of this position description may be changed without notice, and employment may be terminated by either party, at will. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. All employees are responsible for following applicable policies and procedures as defined by their manager or as described in the personnel handbook.

Completion of an on-line application is required. Do not refer to your resume – the staff member reviewing the application will not have access to your resume during the review process. The City does not allow attachments to the on-line application. If you would like to submit a cover letter, resume or other documentation, please e-mail it to HR@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us – please reference the job title in the subject line.

Regular full-time employees are eligible for City benefits. The City offers a benefit package that includes health, dental, long and short term disability, life insurance, and deferred compensation.