Assistant Planner or Planner

City of Ames
$60,928 - 88,615
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance. Flexible Spending Accounts. Long Term Disability. Retirement and Deferred Compensation. Vacation and Sick time. Wellness Programs.
United States, Iowa, Ames
515 Clark Ave (Show on map)
Mar 21, 2025
The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish Civil Service eligibility lists for these classifications. The lists will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline. Assistant Planner Under general supervision, works independently to implement the City's development standards, including zoning, subdivision, and other regulations. This is both a front-line planning position working directly with customers on development proposals, permitting, code compliance, and inquiries; and it may include long-range activities and research. The Assistant Planner has some experience with land use, zoning, and urban design and acts in a capacity of an entry-level to mid-level professional under more direct supervision than a Planner. Performs related work as required. Planner Under general supervision, works independently to implement the City's development standards, including zoning, subdivision, and other regulations. This is both a front-line planning position working directly with customers on development proposals, permitting, code compliance, and inquiries; and also a long-range planning position involved in comprehensive planning, research, and policy development. The Planner is more experienced with an increased degree of complexity/diversity of project assignments and project management responsibilities than an Assistant Planner. Performs related work as required. Assistant Planner Examples of Essential Job Functions: Reviews plans, permits, and prepares reports on development requests as part of the City's development review process to determine conformance to standards, policies, and other criteria; may present findings to commissions and boards for variances, exceptions, special use permits, certificates of appropriateness pertaining to historic structures, rezoning, and similar current planning applications. Provides information and assistance to developers and to citizens regarding development approval requirements. Assists the general public and neighborhood associations with planning and zoning questions and refers citizens to other resources as needed. Performs special studies pertaining to land use, environment, economic development, growth projections, etc. Prepares reports and presentations to boards, commissions, and City Council. Performs field inspections, surveys and studies. Utilizes GIS and other resources to compile data, perform requested data analyses and mapping in support of project review and research. Maintains the City's zoning and land use maps. Ensures compliance of zoning, subdivision and related codes and performs essential duties of enforcement proceedings, including filing Municipal Infractions and testifying in court. Planner Examples of Essential Job Functions: Reviews plans, permits, and prepares reports on development requests as part of the City's development review process to determine conformance to standards, policies, and other criteria; presents findings to commissions and boards for variances, exceptions, special use permits, rezonings, certificates of appropriateness pertaining to historic structures, and similar current planning applications. Provides information and assistance to developers and to citizens regarding development approval requirements. Assists the general public with planning and zoning questions and refers citizens to other resources as needed. Performs special studies pertaining to land use, environment, economic development, growth projections, annexations, etc. Makes presentations to boards, commissions, and City Council on planning reports including impacts, conclusions and recommendations. Performs field inspections, surveys and studies. Utilizes GIS and other resources to compile data, perform requested data analyses and mapping in support of project review and research. Maintains the City's zoning and land use maps. Ensures compliance of zoning, subdivision and related codes and performs essential duties of enforcement proceedings, including filing Municipal Infractions and testifying in court. Work independently with Neighborhood Associations, may be assigned a liaison role, to administer grants, and to complete outreach activities. Assistant Planner Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in planning, geography or closely related field, and one (1) year of experience related to land use, urban design, or zoning in private planning office or local government planning office. Relevant professional internships may substitute for full-time professional employment. Licenses and Certificates: Valid Iowa driver's license. AICP certification is desired. Planner Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in planning, geography or closely related field, and four years experience in private or municipal government planning office. Professional internships may count for no more than the equivalency of 1 year of full-time professional employment. Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver's license. AICP certification is preferred. To see the full requirements of this position, and to apply, please visit our careers page at: www.cityofames.org/jobs. The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against.