Position: Township Planner
Classification: Exempt
Reports To: Township Manager
Last Updated: July 2, 2024
The Township Planner’s (“Planner”) duties and responsibilities are carried out under the governance of the Township’s Board of Commissioners and the direction of the Township Manager. In that capacity, the Planner provides expertise in best planning practices to ensure a vital, innovative, and well-planned community. The position will provide supervision and direction to various outside consultants.
POSITION SUMMARY
The position will work with a team of multi-disciplined staff that provide planning, zoning, water resource management, permitting, building inspection, public works and code enforcement services to the Township. Responsible for ensuring that the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, Zoning Ordinance, and the adopted Comprehensive Plan, are consistent with each other and other ordinances, while accomplishing the goals of the Township. The Planner coordinates, reviews, and processes all Subdivision and Land Development applications, Conditional Use Applications, and map and text amendments. Works directly with the general public, developers, elected officials, engineers, attorneys, contractors, residents and other Township Staff.
OVERARCHING RESPONSIBILITIES
- Executes the responsibilities of the Township Planner in a competent, timely,
collaborative, and professional manner, in strict accordance with all applicable laws and reflecting the Township’s high standard of ethical behavior and commitment of service to its citizens. - Works well with others without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, sexual preference, gender identity, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, marital or veteran status, economic, and educational backgrounds.
- Maintains confidentiality as appropriate and recognizing that all work produced is the property of the Township of Lower Macungie.
- Maintains a professional demeanor and appearance.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Interprets Township Code and regulations related to planning, community development, zoning, water resources, stormwater management, permits, inspection, and enforcement.
- Implements the components of the Comprehensive Plan and Official Map through daily application of the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, ensuring standards outlined in the codes meet or further the Township’s goals.
- Administer the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Receive, review and facilitate the review of all applications and submissions related to any proposed subdivision or land development and stormwater management plans for completeness. Monitor plans for provisions that conflict with community development goals established by the Township Comprehensive Plan and Official Map. Provide a written review and report of all applications received as to their compliance with the requirements of the related ordinances, and other applicable laws, rules, regulations, and standards. Reviews draft resolution prepared by the Solicitor.
- Receives, reviews for administrative acceptability, distributes, coordinates review comments, schedules necessary meetings and provides technical input pertaining to proposed subdivision and land development applications, conditional uses, rezoning requests and other applications, as necessary.
- Determines when plans are complete and ready to be placed before the Planning Commission in accordance with the PA Municipalities Planning Code. Serve as staff support to the Planning Commission by coordinating the preparation of its agenda, attending its meetings, and reviewing its minutes. Presents applications, plans, and reports to the Planning Commission for review, comment, and recommendation. Provides follow up with all parties on review of plans and ensure exchange of relevant information. Coordinates among the various internal and external stakeholders participating in the process before plan submission, during the plan approval process, and after approval.
- Tracks, reports on, and maintains project time limits and extensions in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code; coordinate and track reviews from the Township Engineer, Zoning Officer, Staff, and any third-party consultants.
- Facilitates the operation of the Environmental Advisory Council as it relates to the planning process by preparing its agenda, attending its meetings, and reviewing its minutes; present applications, plans, and reports to the EAC for review and comment, provides follow up with all parties on review of plans and ensure exchange of relevant information.
- Assesses planning and community development needs; concerns and problems and proposes solutions as appropriate.
- Plans, directs, and integrates comprehensive planning and community development programs and services.
- Advises the Board of Commissioners with planning/community development input, and takes action as required.
- Maintains and administers land use ordinances and all adopted codes & provides assistance to staff, the public and all Boards on applicable requirements.
- Monitors federal, state, and county legislation, and regulations related to planning and community development and assesses their impact on current Township Code, policy, and procedures. Makes recommendations for addressing gaps or discrepancies.
- Maintains and administers the Township’s Floodplain Ordinance. Coordinates necessary FEMA requirements as the floodplain administrator.
- Attends meetings with the Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, and department heads, comprehensive planning partners, government authorities and committees, and other meetings as required.
- Researches current best practices in planning and community development and reports relevant findings to the Township Manager, Planning Commission, and Board of Commissioners.
- Develops, justifies, and recommends planning, , stormwater, flood mitigation,
community development and zoning policies and initiatives to the Township Manager, Planning Commission, and Board of Commissioners; reviews and recommends changes to Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) and zoning ordinances. - Acts as the Township’s business liaison and lead economic development officer.
- Coordinates Township community development activities with other federal and state agencies and local governments, and represents the Township on area community development committees.
- Advises property owners, developers, etc., of procedures for submission and review of subdivision and land development plans.
- Conducts general field inspections, meetings with contractors or developers and other agencies as required within the scope of site construction to ensure compliance with approved land development plans.
- Applies understanding of the elements of transportation, stormwater management, utilities, environmental matters, quality design, economic development, parks, and land use planning to analysis of development and land use proposals.
- Oversees the Township Engineer’s management of escrow, draw-down, letter of credit, and related financial aspects of construction and land development.
- Maintains documents, maps, records and files on planning and community development.
- Researches grant and other funding opportunities in community development and Prepares and submits and administers grants as directed by the Township Manager.
- Prepares informational updates for the township newsletter and website.
- Performs any other duties as required by the Township Manager.
CORE COMPETENCIES (minimum qualifications needed to perform essential functions)
The individual must possess the following skills and abilities or be able to demonstrate that
he/she can perform the essential function of the job, with or without reasonable
accommodations, using some other combination of skills and abilities.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Municipalities Planning Code. planning, zoning, economic
development, stormwater management, flood mitigation and FEMA regulations,
landscaping design, housing, building, property maintenance and fire codes and related
ordinances and regulations. - Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with homeowners,
businesses, contractors, developers, attorneys, engineers and the public. - Ability to read and interpret plans, agreements, drawings, elevations and renderings and
provide meaningful review and comment. - Ability to craft, edit, interpret and enforce local ordinances, codes and policies.
- Must be technically adept with a wide range of computer skills including, but not limited
to, Microsoft Office, Adobe products, GIS systems, etc. - Ability to independently perform a full range of planning, zoning, stormwater, code
enforcement, and compliance duties. - Ability to handle multiple tasks at one time, and devise solutions to immediate problems
without much time for consideration. - Accountability/Dependability – Takes personal responsibility for the quality & timeliness
of work, achieves results with little oversight. - Attention to Detail – Carefully monitors the details and quality of own and others’ work.
The ability to focus on all areas of a task. - Adaptability/Flexibility – Adapts to changing business needs, conditions and work
responsibilities, works with variety of situations, individuals, groups and varying
customer needs. - Communication – Able to speak and read English language; articulate thoughts and
express ideas effectively and clearly using oral, written, visual and non-verbal
communication skills, as well as listening skills to gain understanding inside and outside
the organization. The ability to deliver information in person, in writing, and in a digital
world. Must be able to communicate laws, policies, and procedures to the public,
occasionally under adverse circumstances. - Customer Focus – commitment to serve the public; build and maintain customer
satisfaction with the services offered by the Township; provides excellent service to the
public; handling citizen inquiries and complaints. - Decision Making & Judgement – Makes timely, informed decisions that take into account
the facts, goals, constraints, and risks. - Gaining Voluntary Compliance – Clearly communicates the reasons for seeking
compliance, explaining reasons to follow recommendations and advice to bring them into
compliance with regulations, standards, or policies. - Initiative – Identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked/before the
situation requires it. - Good organizational skills.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions. - Ability to sit, stand and walk frequently or for extended periods of time.
- Ability to climb ladders, bend, stoop, squat, crawl, crouch, and kneel occasionally.
- Ability to remain in a stationary position frequently, but also to occasionally move about
within township facilities, as well as at various outdoor sites within the township. - Ability to speak and hear clearly to communicate with co-workers, staff from other
entities, and the general public to exchange accurate information in these situations. - Adequate near and distance vision.
- Ability to balance continuously.
- Manual dexterity (i.e., use of fingers, hands, and arms), including eye-hand coordination,
fine manipulation and the ability to grasp firmly. - Ability to lift, move, and/or carry up to 15 lbs. on a consistent basis; ability to lift up to 50
lbs. occasionally. - Ability to withstand exposure to weather frequently.
- Ability to drive automotive equipment to other locations within and outside of the
township.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSING/CERTIFICATION - Bachelor’s degree with four years of experience in urban or land use planning, urban
studies, landscape architecture or similar degree. - Two (2) or more years of experience in municipal government preferred and five (5)
years’ progressively responsible experience in government planning or a related field, or
an equivalent combination of education and experience. - American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification or Registered Landscape
Architect preferred. - Previous active and documented experience in Community Development or municipal
planning, including direct experience with municipal codes, ordinances, and regulations. - Working knowledge of county, state and federal government and ability to understand the
interrelationship of these various levels of government. - Valid driver’s license and ability to maintain during employment.
- National Incident Management (NIMS) 100 and 700 or the ability to complete
certification within two (2) years of date of hire. - Ability to obtain and maintain other licenses as may be required to perform assigned job
duties. - JOB LOCATION/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The Planners office is located at the Lower Macungie Township Building and other Township
facilities. The scheduled work is 40 hours per week. Normal business is conducted between the
hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Attendance at various meetings outside normal business hours are
required.