Application Deadline is Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 4:30 p.m.
Description of Duties: This position serves as the Director’s lead assigned planner to the County Planning and Zoning Committee on rural development issues.  Major responsibilities and tasks include the preparation of local assistance casework and long range comprehensive planning documents for Portage County, its 17 Towns, and other local units of government or organizations as directed, and to advise and assist the general public regarding planning and development. The Associate Planner-Rural must demonstrate a substantial understanding of the nature of Town life; the relationship between natural resources, agriculture, and residents within a rural setting, as well as the relationship between Town government (Plan Commission, Town Board) and Portage County regarding planning and land regulation. The employee holding this position must possess a diversified background of planning education, training, and experience, and be able to capably complete a wide variety of professional planning tasks assigned by the Director while working under limited supervision.  This position requires a reasonably high level of independent work and judgment, and the ability to work on several major projects at one time.   
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in urban and/or regional planning or related field
• A minimum of three years professional planning experience in a public/private planning agency.
• A Master's degree in urban and/or regional planning or related field may be substituted for one year of required experience.
• Experience with long range comprehensive planning required
• Knowledge of desktop GIS applications for planning and mapping purposes.
• Ability to do public speaking and presentations to various sized groups of people.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and access to an insured, licensed, private vehicle.

PORTAGE COUNTY POSITION DESCRIPTION
 
Name:                      
Class Title:                Associate Planner- Rural                            Position No.
Department:              Planning and Zoning                                  Union:  OPEIU, Local 95
Regular Hours:          40 hours per week                                     Date Duties Began:
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Receives direct supervision from the Planning and Zoning Director
 
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Aids the Director in supervising intern staff
 
POSITION SUMMARY
 
This position serves as the Director’s lead assigned planner to the County Planning and Zoning Committee on rural development issues.  Major responsibilities and tasks include the preparation of local assistance casework and long range comprehensive planning documents for Portage County, its 17 Towns, and other local units of government or organizations as directed, and to advise and assist the general public regarding planning and development. The Associate Planner-Rural must demonstrate a substantial understanding of the nature of Town life; the relationship between natural resources, agriculture, and residents within a rural setting, as well as the relationship between Town government (Plan Commission, Town Board) and Portage County regarding planning and land regulation. The employee holding this position must possess a diversified background of planning education, training, and experience, and be able to capably complete a wide variety of professional planning tasks assigned by the Director while working under limited supervision.  This position requires a reasonably high level of independent work and judgment, and the ability to work on several major projects at one time.   
 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
15%      Administrative (departmental and project related)
85%      Non-Administrative
 
1.          Serves as the Director’s lead planner assigned to the County Planning and Zoning Committee on rural
             development issues.
2.          Work with and advise public officials, units of government, and other City/County agencies in general
planning, zoning, and development matters including emergency preparedness/response and activities related to climate change planning, and resilient community planning matters.
3.          Develop long range planning documents, including Comprehensive Plans, Development Guides, Park     Plans, Capital Improvement Programs, Master Plans, Feasibility Studies, etc.
4.          Develop implementation tools and ordinances, including zoning and subdivision ordinances, official       maps, etc.
5.          Assemble and analyze project data and conduct research related to assigned project.
6.          Develop planning scheme alternatives and Department recommendations for assigned projects.
7.          Undertake land use and comprehensive planning assignments and review future development potentials              for specific town, and county areas.
8.          Provide the Director with advice, recommendations, and alternatives on projects for which the     Department is responsible.
9.          Prepare written reports and graphic presentations as necessary.
10. Aid the Director in supervising intern staff.
11. Represent the Planning and Zoning Department at meetings and convey Department policy to                        individuals, agencies, and groups. A majority of meetings take place in the evening.
12. Prepare casework for development cases involving county, city, town, and village units of government.
13. Confer with and advise the Director in primary elements of department projects, including all potentially          controversial elements.
14. Assist the Director in preparing office work assignments and expected completion schedules.
15. Advise and provide information to the Director on a regular basis concerning the status of assigned   projects and general office functions.
16. Prepare public information programs for specific projects and respond to inquiries and input from the            public.
17. Keep daily time records and perform other administrative and office duties as required.
 
NON-ESSENTIAL (PERIPHERAL) FUNCTIONS:
 
In case of a disaster may be required to assist in disaster relief efforts. 
 
 
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban and/or regional planning or related field
• A minimum of three years professional planning experience in a public/private planning agency.
• A Master’s degree in urban and/or regional planning or related field may be substituted for one year         of required experience.
• Experience with long range comprehensive planning required
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and access to an insured, licensed, private vehicle.

 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
1.  The principles and practices of current and long range planning.
2.  Development components including: feasibility analysis, natural environment/climate change, land use,      transportation, housing, public facilities, economic development, zoning and subdivision ordinances, citizen participation, and governmental structure.
3.  Management and fiscal aspects of municipal and rural development.
4.  Principles and practices of government organization and administration.
5.  Updated research materials and techniques (i.e. computer spreadsheet work with complex data).
6.  Updated graphic presentation techniques.
7.  Desktop GIS applications for planning and mapping purposes, including the use of ArcMap.
8.  Role and importance of planning in emergency preparedness/creating more resilient communities.
 
SKILLS IN:
1.  Writing clear, accurate documents.
2.  Projecting future levels of community service needs or indicators of needs such as population, employment, land use, and housing.
3.  Basic map making and graphic presentation.
4.  Public speaking and presentation to various sized groups of people.
5.  Evaluating public input in order to prepare policy recommendations.
6.  Use of ArcMap for desktop GIS planning and mapping applications.
 
ABILITY TO:
1.  Interact with the public, elected and appointed officials, and other staff and co-workers effectively.
2.  Manage several projects at one time and work independently within the framework of project outlines as
     developed by the project manager and Director.
3.  Evaluate information or data from a variety of sources to provide cohesive recommendations.
4.  Identify and prepare goals and objectives of a community or citizen interest group.
5.  Successfully evaluate input from elected officials, citizen organizations, and individuals.
6.  Stick to a given schedule and deliver work on time.
7   Ability to use county office equipment and programs including but not limited to: email, telephone, computer, photocopier, printer, fax,  Microsoft Office and ArcMap programs
8.  Ability to maintain regular, consistent and reliable attendance.
 
BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS CATEGORY:
This position is in the no exposure category for blood-borne pathogens and will follow all recommended training and procedure for this category.
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
As relates to items 1-17 of Objectives and Tasks: long periods of sitting, extended periods of verbal communication, and extended periods of writing and/or computer entry, including repetitive finger movement.
-   Infrequent lifting of +10 pounds to gain access to information in boxed storage.
 
This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive.  It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of the job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated on this description. 
 
 
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This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
 
Portage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,
the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages
both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.