Professional Planner

Overview

Under the direction of the Director and/or Deputy Director, the successful candidate plans, administers and coordinates multiple, complex land use development projects; organizes and employs resources to achieve project objectives; prepares and monitors project budgets/escrows; conducts planning and zoning analyses and prepares reports/recommendations; analyzes planning issues and determines project schedules and priorities before the Planning and Zoning Board. The position requires a basic understanding of MLUL and local ordinances.

Essential Functions:

Planning Board and Zoning Board Administration.

Process and organize Land Use Development Applications.

Intake and processing of Application Fees, Escrows, Bond, etc. and transmits such to the Controller’s office.

Ensure compliance with New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law timeframes and requirements.

Respond to inquiries concerning the Township Zoning Ordinance and proposed development projects.

Provide technical support and information to property owners, developers, other Departments, staff, land use professionals, and elected and appointed officials on planning and zoning policies, plans, and procedures.

Attends Planning and Zoning Board meetings in a supportive/secretarial capacity.

Any other duties as assigned by the Director and/or Deputy Director.

Planner Duties:

Review site plan, subdivision plan and miscellaneous land use development applications for completeness and prepare technical report of land use, history, zoning applicability and planning analyses for the Board(s) use.

Process and provide all administrative support of said land use development applications before the Planning Board, ensuring compliance with New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law timeframes and requirements.

Assist the Township’s Zoning Officer in reviewing and processing sign permits and zoning permits as well as assisting/maintaining the database of sad permit records.

Assist in comprehensive and long-range planning initiatives (including but not limited to comprehensive Master Planning, Redevelopment Planning, Zoning Ordinance and/or Map amendments, etc.).

Assist in the compiling of data and resources to serve Township, business and citizen needs (including but not limited to compiling demographic and socio-economic information per the US Census Bureau, and county, regional, state, and federal statistic data, visioning exercises, etc.).

Maintain and administer the Township’s Zoning Code and assist in future revision/adoption processes and implementation.

Assist in maintaining public information on the Department’s website.

Qualifications:

Knowledge of municipal, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to land use.

Ability to perform responsible and complex land use development application and long-term planning.

Ability to interpret and understand civil engineering and architectural plans, concepts and methodologies; prepare clear and concise technical documents, reports, correspondence and other written materials.

Effective communication skills (both verbal and written); understanding of complex planning and zoning regulations, requirements, and processes.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment on a varying degree of complex projects while being able to prioritize said projects accordingly.

Training and Experience:

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in planning, or a closely related field.  Master’s degree in urban planning or related field preferred but not required. At least two (2) years of related experience in municipal planning/community development, or the equivalent time spent towards a graduate degree in urban planning or related field.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements: A New Jersey Professional Planner (PP) and AICP license are desired but not required.  Strong candidates must be eligible to take the PP and AICP, which should be pursued during prospective employment with the Township within a two-year period. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) experience preferred but not required. Strong candidates are proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite.

Salary commensurate upon experience.  A valid NJ Driver’s license and 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.

Email application to nknight@chnj.gov or through website at chnj.gov/jobs.