Overview
Under direction of the Director and/or Deputy Director, the successful candidate will perform a variety of municipal professional planning activities including: site plan and subdivision reviews, pre-submission/concept meetings with applicants, report writing, data collection, research, field studies, site investigations and expert testimony before Boards and public presentations; drafting of zoning ordinance amendments and other legislation, Master Plan updates, neighborhood planning studies, and preparation of maps, graphs and charts related to the functions of land use, transportation, housing, open space and general planning. Must possess knowledge of the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) and the New Jersey Local Redevelopment & Housing Law (LRHL); knowledge of statutory deadlines for review of Board applications and knowledge of the statutory notice requirements for zoning variances, “area of need of redevelopment” and/or “area in need of rehabilitation” hearings and redevelopment plans.
The successful candidate will provide work direction and supervision of staff, including allocating duties, providing training, and assisting with reviewing work performance of clerical and junior planning staff and zoning and enforcement officers; Performs other related duties as required; Must be able to work well with the public and attend evening meetings.
Essential Functions:
- Takes the lead over major details of planning studies and surveys involving complex technical aspects of land use planning.
- Reviews land development proposals and determines compliance with state, county, and/or municipal regulations.
- Processes Land Use Development Applications and maintains the corresponding essential records and files, maps, plans, designs and charts.
- Evaluates project proposals against adopted standards, plans, and programs; recommends viable alternatives when required.
- Transmits actions and recommendations of development proposals to the Township, applicants and other representatives.
- Develops tentative plans for planning projects identifying proposed land use.
- Assumes responsibility for major details of planning studies of physical development, economic growth, or recreational needs of the community, or of other programs involving the application of general planning principles.
- Conducts surveys to gather information used in planning studies.
- Provides advice and technical assistance.
- Prepares maps representing existing and proposed land use and other data for submission or presentation.
- Designs and prepares charts representing economic conditions.
- Prepares correspondence.
- Prepares clear, sound, accurate and informative statistical and other planning reports, studies and surveys containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the theories, practices and procedures of land use planning.
- Knowledge of the problems associated with the growth of urban centers, movements of population; the changing character of individual urban, suburban, and rural areas; the location, relocation, development and/or loss of industrial opportunities; traffic conditions; and other contemporary conditions affecting land use and development.
- Knowledge of the varied factors to be considered in the planning process.
- Knowledge of the impact of land use on community development.
- Knowledge of the principles and techniques of drafting used to prepare maps and the ability to prepare and maintain maps, charts, graphs, and plans.
- Ability to gather and analyze data.
- Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret basic laws and regulations.
- Ability to analyze and interpret drafting, designing and planning problems, organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
- Ability to provide professional advice and guidance on planning matters.
- Ability to organize and execute designated planning projects and studies.
- Ability to identify social, economic and industrial conditions and trends as they relate to land use planning.
- Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret land use information.
- Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate and informative planning reports, studies and surveys containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with project teams.
- Ability to prepare correspondence.
- Ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbally, about complex planning and zoning regulations, requirements, and processes.
- Ability to work with the public, government officials, land use professionals (i.e. planners, engineers, architects, attorneys, etc.), and Board members.
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects with competing timelines with expedient levels of responsiveness.
Training and Experience:
A bachelor’s degree with 21 credits in planning subjects; possession of a master’s degree in Planning from an accredited college or university is highly desired. Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience with a master’s degree, or over five (5) years without a master’s degree of responsible professional experience in municipal planning and land use administration, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
Possession of a valid and current New Jersey Professional Planners (NJPP) License issued by the NJ Board of Professional Planners and certification/license by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is required.
Strong candidates will have prior experience reviewing site plans and preparing corresponding technical reports. Strong candidates will have also previously served as a Planning and/or Zoning Board Planner/Secretary and are able to manage a Board with limited direction/oversight.
Experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and ArcMap/ArcGIS software is preferred but not required.
Salary commensurate with experience.
Other Requirements:
- Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
- A pre-employment background investigation is required.
- New Jersey residency required pursuant to NJSA 54:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), if selected for the position.
In addition to the email link and application link, applicants can also email their application with “Senior Planner Position” to nknight@chnj.gov.
About Cherry Hill Township
Cherry Hill Township seeks an experienced municipal professional planner with knowledge of Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) and NJ Local Redevelopment & Housing Law (LRHL) to perform all functions of land use, housing, open space and general planning.
Candidate will analyze and interpret land use development applications and prepare clear, technically sound, and accurate planning reports with zoning analyses and recommendations. Strong organizational skills, effective written and verbal communication skills are essential along with the ability to work well with the public, Board members, land use and government officials.
Requirements: Master’s degree in the field of planning from an accredited college or university, plus three (3) to five (5) years’ experience in municipal planning and land use administration; valid and current New Jersey Professional Planners (PP) License issued by the NJ Board of Professional Planners and licensure by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
Salary commensurate upon experience. See posting at How to Apply | Cherry Hill Township, NJ for more information.
