Planner

Grand Traverse County is a team of passionate and incredible people who are committed to providing responsive, effective quality service to our up-north community.  We strive to be a leader in innovative, effective, collaborative, and sustainable county government.  We offer stable work environments and competitive salaries to both full- time and part-time employees.  Understanding the many challenges facing today’s professionals and families, we offer a competitive compensation package including an impressive list of benefits and time off.

Job Description:

The County Planner reports directly to the Community Development Coordinator and supports a wide range of planning and development activities that contribute to the County's long-term vision and growth. This position serves as a professional planning resource by supporting planning-related boards and commissions, conducting research and analysis, assisting with long-range planning initiatives, and providing guidance to residents, contractors, developers, and the public regarding land use, zoning, and development matters.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (may include but are not limited to the following)

Planning & Project Support

• Conduct research, data collection, analysis, and interpretation to support planning initiatives, policy development, and decision-making.
• Prepare reports, staff recommendations, presentations, maps, and supporting materials for boards, commissions, leadership, and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and periodic update of master plans, subarea plans, and other long-range planning efforts.
• Support grant-related planning initiatives, funding applications, and project implementation activities.
• Conduct demographic, economic, housing, transportation, and land use analyses to support planning initiatives.
• Assist with strategic planning, community development, economic development, and capital improvement planning efforts.
• Maintain planning records, databases, and project documentation.

Collaboration & Community Engagement

• Attend and participate in public meetings, hearings, workshops, open houses, and community engagement activities.
• Coordinate with local municipalities, regional agencies, governmental entities, consultants, and community stakeholders.
• Support community outreach and public engagement initiatives.
• Maintain and update planning-related websites, public information resources, and educational materials.
• Organize and facilitate training opportunities for County staff, local officials, boards, commissions, and public stakeholders.
• Present planning information and recommendations to elected officials, appointed boards, stakeholders, and the public.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners.

Development Review & Regulatory Administration:

• Review site plans, development proposals, land divisions, and land use applications for compliance with applicable zoning ordinances, regulations, and development standards.
• Interpret and apply local zoning ordinances, planning policies, development regulations, and applicable state laws.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to applicants, property owners, contractors, developers, and the public regarding land use, zoning, permitting, and development processes.
• Assist in the review and administration of special land uses, rezonings, variances, site plan reviews, planned unit developments, and related land use processes.
• Conduct site inspections and assist with zoning administration and code enforcement activities as needed.
• Assist local municipalities with land division reviews and related planning services as assigned.
• Prepare staff reports, findings of fact, and recommendations for planning commissions, zoning boards of appeals, governing bodies, and other decision-making entities.

EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE (minimum requirements)

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Community Development, Public Administration, Geography, Environmental Studies, or related field.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible planning, zoning administration, community development, or related professional experience at the municipal, county, or regional level preferred.
• Experience with zoning administration, development review, site plan review, special land uses, rezonings, variances, and land division review preferred.
• Experience supporting boards, commissions, and public engagement processes preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

     CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES

• Certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• a valid driver's license, personal vehicle insurance and must maintain eligibility to drive as per the County's Vehicle policy.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (minimum requirements - legal or contractual pre- employment obligations and/or requirements, such as drug testing, background check, etc.)

A background check shall be required initially and maybe periodically for an individual hired, transferred, reclassified, promoted, or currently working in this job. Appointment to or continued employment in this job is contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include but is not limited to confirmation of a persons’ identity; review of criminal conviction records; verification of educational degree, license, or certificate required for the position; review of Department of Motor Vehicles records; Department of Justice fingerprint scan; and/or drug and alcohol testing as required and allowable by law. A satisfactory background check is defined as the absence of a criminal history record which bears a demonstrable relationship to the applicant's or employee's suitability to perform the required duties and responsibilities of the position.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Work involves the development of new guidelines and techniques, establishing criteria or developing new information where guidelines may not exist for all situations and considerable independent judgment, personal discretion, and resourcefulness are needed to interpret circumstances, and to make decisions in major areas where there may be uncertainty in approach, methodology, and interpretation. Errors at this level could lead to extraordinary costs, major litigation, destruction of property, loss of funding, or failure of the agency to accomplish its mission and may require the intervention of the County’s senior executives to resolve or may not be resolvable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• May be required to climb or balance; reach with hands and arms; sit; stand; stoop,
• kneel, or crouch; talk and hear; smell; use hands to finger, handle, or feel. 
• May occasionally be required to lift/move up to 25 pounds.
• The employee may be required to travel in his or her own vehicle. 
• Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse
• environmental conditions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, COMPETENCIES (minimum requirements)

• Advanced proficiency in English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and business mathematics.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related business software applications.
• Familiarity with GIS applications, mapping software, data visualization tools, and web content management systems.
• Ability to organize and maintain complex records and electronic files.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and professional ethics.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective professional relationships.
• Ability to comprehend, process, and apply verbal and written information appropriate to the position.
• Experience with planning software, GIS applications, public engagement tools, and data analysis platforms preferred.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups and stakeholders.

Compensation:

Grand Traverse County is a great place to live, work and play. Come join our team and experience what northern Michigan is all about, apply today!

You really should see what we have to offer: 

• Medical: The County offers employees a high-deductible plan through Priority Health. To help cover the cost of the deductible, Grand Traverse County will deposit a contribution amount up to $2,000 into an employee Health Savings Account every year.  You may also direct deposit funds into this account every pay period.

• Vision:The County provides a no cost plan for employees. We also offer an enhanced plan through EyeMed.  

• Dental: Our dental insurance provider is Delta Dental. You will pay no costs or premium for diagnostic and cleaning services. 

• Wellness: Grand Traverse County is committed to creating a culture of health. We provide a variety of incentives and programs that allow you to live a healthy lifestyle. 

• Employee Recognition: We highly value our employees, which we show by providing our employees awards and recognition throughout the year, and on anniversary dates.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Employees are reimbursed up to $5,250 annually for enrollment in courses at an accredited college, university, or trade school. 

• Vacation: Grand Traverse County provides a generous amount of vacation days to benefitted employees so you can spend time with family and friends. 

• Holidays: The County gives you 12 days a year to celebrate holidays. Beyond these 12 days, you will receive additional floating holidays to use at your discretion. 

• Personal Leave: Employees receive up to 72 hours annually depending on contract, to use for appointments, take care of family needs and other personal reasons. Employees are paid every year for unused personal leave up to 40 hours. 

• Parental Leave: Employees may take up to 6 months of leave to begin at birth or date of adoption of their child. 

• Retirement:Grand Traverse County offers a defined contribution through MERS. The plan includes a generous match that fully vests after 6 years of employment.

• 457(b) Retirement Plans: The County also offers optional 457(b) deferred compensation and Roth retirement plans with matching contributions up to an approved amount, based on applicable contract provisions.

• Life Insurance: Benefitted employees automatically receive life insurance. 

• Short Term Disability:The County provides a plan through Mutual of Omaha, which pays two thirds of your salary or wages for a maximum of 182 days.

• Long Term Disability:The County provides a plan through Mutual of Omaha, which pays 60 percent of your salary or wages for a maximum of 24 months.