Urban Design Planner

The City of Columbia is hiring an urban design planner, listed as “planner, principal” under the City’s career portal

This position performs professional and supervisory work in short- and long-range planning programs for the City of Columbia; coordinates the design review process; provides staff support to the Design and Development Review Commission; and performs related professional and administrative work as assigned. This position also works with interdisciplinary team on a variety of complex land use, transportation, and design projects. Contributes to City plans, policies, and at the long range planning and site specific projects. The position is often a project manager for larger and small projects. The incumbent works under general supervision, works independently, and is required to perform basic project management for basic planning projects.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Performs professional planning work in short- and long-range planning projects for the City of Columbia;
• Coordinates the design review process;
• Supervises subordinate planner(s); supervisory duties include instructing, assigning and reviewing work, maintaining standards, coordinating activities, allocating personnel, acting on employee problems, assisting with the selection of new employees, and recommending employee discipline as appropriate. Provides training, advice and assistance as needed;
• Serves as secretary to the Design/Development Review Commission (DDRC) charged by City Council to review projects in specific historic and design districts for appropriateness and compliance with established codes and regulations;
• Assists with all facets of the Planning Commission, Design/Development Review Commission meetings, including meeting with applicants, writing evaluations, staffing meetings, and maintaining pertinent records from meetings;
• Plans and implements the designation of new historic and design districts based on complex architectural survey information, citizen input and political considerations; prepares associated architectural guidelines;
• Meets and coordinates design projects with architects, developers, property owners and others; interprets design ordinances and design review guidelines and procedures;
• Provides staff support to the Design / Development Review Commission (DDRC) charged by City Council to review projects in specific design districts for appropriateness and compliance with established codes and regulations;
• Reviews building plans and elevations for compliance with design standards; conducts site visits as necessary;
• Determines suitability of building projects; prepares recommendations for approval or denial to the DDRC;
• Oversees the enforcement of design ordinances
• Provides leadership in site specific urban design review;
• Contributes to urban design expertise at all levels; provides education and assistance to other disciplines within the City and community;
• Acts as a spokesperson to the importance of quality urban space;
• Ensures the integration of urban design principles through all city plans, infrastructure projects;
• Acts as lead project manager for multiple diverse planning projects;
• Researches, gathers, interprets and prepares data for planning studies, reports and recommendations; prepares a variety of studies, briefs and reports for decision-making and presentation purposes;
• Receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance and concerns pertaining to City planning projects, regulations and ordinances;
• Participates in department marketing and public relations efforts; makes public presentations to inform the public about planning projects and programs;
• Administers the local preservation tax incentive program
• Serves as liaison to state and local organizations engaged in design and preservation activities;
• Maintains records pertinent to planning and development programs and projects;
• Assists in coordinating department activities and functions with those of other City departments, County departments and outside agencies as appropriate;
• Provides instruction and leadership of subordinate staff as assigned; provides advice and assistance as needed;
• Performs routine administrative / clerical work as required, including entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, assembling materials, typing reports and correspondence, ordering office supplies, etc.;
• Attends training, seminars, conferences, meetings, etc., to enhance job knowledge and skills; keeps abreast of federal, state and local case law and new trends and innovations in planning and ordinance administration; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Master’s degree in urban or regional planning, architecture, landscape architecture or closely related field;
• Five (5) years of relevant prior experience;
• Required to type 30 corrected wpm;
• American Institute of Certified Planners preferred;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.