The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency / Department of Planning seeks a Principal Planner for its Transportation Planning Division. This position is predominately responsible for advancing the work of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and project areas include, but are not limited to pedestrian and bicycle planning, transit planning and human services coordination, electric vehicle planning and carbon reduction initiatives, automobile traffic capacity and operational planning and programming, equity planning and a wide array of public engagement methods and activities, data collection coordination and geospatial analysis, and safety and resilience planning.

SERIES LEVEL:

This is the third level of a three-level planner series.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

Manages and coordinates complex planning projects, development proposals, project reviews and special studies which may include, but is not limited to, project feasibility, estimated cost, projected timelines, land use, transportation, urban design, and other planning needs.

Serves as team leader; formulates project work plan, assigns tasks to team members, monitors task progress, completions, project timelines, and deliverables.

May serve as a lead to lower-level staff which includes prioritizing and assigning work; training staff on work methods and procedures.

In the departmental director's absence may assume limited duties to support the maintenance of departmental functions.

Researches, collects, analyzes and interprets data, information and uses geographical information systems (GIS) tool to evaluate, analyze and query planning-related data.

Develops policy, ordinances, regulations, grant applications, requests for proposals and/or technical reports related to land use, transportation, and capital improvements; and incorporates community values and priorities, planning principles and research to formulate recommendations based on findings.

Reviews zoning and development proposals and prepares findings for Planning Commission(s).

Interprets adopted plans, codes, and standards; advises engineers, site planners and the public on proper land use in conformance with existing ordinances, laws, and regulations; and responds to related questions and requests for information.

Creates and updates maps by gathering, reviewing, copying and entering data into the geographical information system.

Develops and organizes the appropriate public process and public meeting design, methods, presentations, materials, and other written communication tools to facilitate project review, public meetings and community outreach; and serves as lead presenter/facilitator for contentious/complex projects.

Represents the City and/or the Agency at a variety of internal and/or external meetings, public events, training sessions, on committees and/or other related events in order to receive and convey information.

Performs field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and to verify development projects comply with approved plans.

Assists in the development of project budgets and verifies contract expenditures and compliance.

Creates a variety of materials such as maps, reports and brochures, visual presentations, site plans and renderings for presentation in meetings and to facilitate community education and outreach activities with neighborhood associations, advisory boards, and elected officials.

Attends a substantial number of night and evening meetings.

Reviews, interprets and applies federal, state and local regulations as they relate to planning projects.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.