Listing Summary

Introduction

The City of Forest Park is a diverse and growing community located approximately 10 miles south of Atlanta with a population of nearly 20,000 residents in Clayton County, Georgia, and 5 miles east of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Forest Park has many flourishing small, medium, and large businesses, and is home to Gillem Logistics Center (formerly Ft. Gillem) that is a bustling clean, warehouse distribution district with companies such as Amazon, Kroger, HD Supply, and other companies that deliver and provide goods and services to a large customer base throughout Metro-Atlanta and the Southeast. BlueStar Studios recently announced plans for a 53-acre production campus in Forest Park at Gillem Logistics Center that will house sound stages for traditional and virtual production. The City of Forest Park is also preparing to embark on the update of its Comprehensive Plan.  We are looking for a creative, talented, professional planner interested in improving the quality of life for city residents and businesses through good planning, community engagement and problem solving. 

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of this job is to research and prepare information related to planning functions within the Planning & Community Development Department.  Candidates should be a team player with the ability to work independently on assigned projects.  As part of a team the position will coordinate activities for planning studies, review and prepare data related to the  comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, reviewing site development plans, reviewing minor subdivision plats, administering development-related ordinances and regulations, assisting, and directing developers and individuals, approving zoning related permits, and performing additional tasks as assigned. Serves as technical advisor and provides staff support to the Planning Commission and the Architecture Design Review Board. Reports directly to the Director of Planning & Community Development.

 

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Participates in planning projects that range from routine to moderately difficult.
• Prepares a variety of materials, reports, and documentation for public hearings, various meetings, and board presentations.  Provides presentations and detailed reports on development proposals to City Council, Planning Commissions, Architectural Design Review Board, and the general public.
• Works with the Administrative Supervisor to ensure public notices and legal ads are submitted and posted timely, and Board Packages are complete.
• Compiles socio-economic and demographic data for the community and prepares specific reports as appropriate.
• Perform statistical research and comparative analyses; assist in development of planning improvement and modify proposed objectives accordingly.
• Maintains the City’s zoning ordinance, zoning map including its availability to the public and identify deficiencies and proactively address such in collaboration with the director,  planning commission, and city council.
• Assists in implementing the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Maintain accurate, complete, organized files and records pertaining to planning and zoning as directed.
• Evaluates zoning, land use, and planning proposals to ensure compliance with municipal codes, ordinances, and regulatory standards. Provides information to the public regarding development regulations.
• Assists in resolving citizen and customer issues.
• Oversees the work of consultants and interns.
• Conducts field evaluations and assessments.
• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATI ONS

Education Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or closely related field; supplemented by one (1) year previous experience and/or training involving urban planning, local/regional land use, zoning, land development plan review, site plan review, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Special Qualifications:

 Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license.

Preferences:

Candidates should enjoy working in a creative, learning environment, have the ability to meet deadlines, be able to adjust to changes as needed, and able to handle multiple projects simultaneously.  Skills in GIS and other planning tool platforms, as well as attention to details are a plus.  The candidate should possess the ability to attend meetings and other events in the absence of the Director as required.  Ability to accept open and responsive direction from management.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards pertaining to the planning process.
• Skill in researching, analyzing, and summarizing planning data.
• Skill in making presentations of ideas and recommendations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement within established guidelines and supervisory direction.
• Ability to work efficiently and tactfully with difficult citizens and others under stressful situations.
• Ability to interpret maps, site and building plans specifications.
• Ability to perform routine to moderately difficult assignments under decreasing degrees of supervision and direction. 
• Ability to provide excellent customer service at times under pressure.
• Ability to stay abreast of latest techniques in the field of planning, zoning, and land use by attending local and regional meetings and conferences and reading industry related periodicals.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Visual Acuity: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.