Planner, Senior
City of Meridian - Meridian, MS
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Up to a maximum of $79,127.50 OPENING DATE: September 11, 2024 CLOSING DATE: Applications will be accepted until 12:00 Noon on September 24, 2024 Pursuant to Article 5, Section 5.04, of the Civil Service Code of Rules and Regulations (attached), the Commission may reject, or cause to be rejected the application of any person for admission to a test, or may, after examination, decline to certify, or may remove from an eligible list, an applicant who is deemed disqualified. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals. Serves as liaison between City government, local businesses, developers, and the public in the effort to revitalize the central business district; provides information to business owners and developers regarding revitalization, available buildings and space for development, and potential fund availability for downtown revitalization and development. Coordinates downtown promotions; provides logistical support; negotiates contracts for vendors, entertainment, and security; coordinates and schedules volunteers and City workers; secure relevant permits; coordinates and oversees flow of events. Facilitates and monitors planning workshops, seminars, and training for business owners, developers, and other downtown development participants. Designs and/or redesigns landscaping and facilities for public parks, grounds around public buildings, downtown business districts, open spaces, and medians; prepares conceptual and schematic design plans, construction plans and details, and technical specifications; plans and develops landscaping for sidewalks, concrete facilities, plants, trees, and planters; prepares layout and inspects work in progress. Works with architects and contractors on the completion of city facilities and recreational projects; reviews plans and drawings to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and to resolve complaints and/or areas of concern. Administers construction contracts related to recreation and landscaping projects; supervises city crews on in-house construction of landscape beautification and infrastructure repair; communicates via telephone or in-person regarding jobs, products, and/or services; ensures projects are completed within specified time frames and according to specifications. Oversees the maintenance of all trees and other plants as required; inventories evaluate and prioritizes the maintenance of trees on city property; inspects and determines condition and/or risk associated with trees; enters a variety of data into software that tracks all of the trees and their conditions; issues work orders for hazardous trees; contracts with an outside company for large tree removal projects; work with Public Works to develop an urban forestry program. Prepares applications for state and federal grants; administers projects funded by grants; conducts field surveys and analysis of census data to collect demographic information on a variety of topics including recreation, urban forestry, housing, transportation, land development, and use for possible grant applications; refers to grant manuals for application and compliance with all local, state and federal rules and regulations. Performs public relations and media activities related to down-town development; designs brochures, flyers, advertisements, newsletters, posters, and related items for overall promotion and specific events; initiates press releases and articles for release to media; provides interviews related to projects; speaks at various public meetings and organizations; prepares information and photographs for annual report. Responds to requests for information; complaints and/or concerns received from the public, other agencies and municipalities, and city personnel; answer questions and provide info mation as required; provide guidance to potential downtown developers. Prepares and/or oversees project budgets; prepares maintenance contracts and purchases of equipment for projects as assigned; monitors and/or approves expenditures and purchases; consults with supervisor regarding recommendations and/or changes to existing budget. Works effectively with other city departments to implement projects; communicates with the Parks and Recreation Director to design/redesign recreation facilities; develops and recommends new positions for other city departments; works with Parks and Recreation to develop maintenance programs for ornamental horticulture. Conducts research of potential facilities and public spaces for suitability; conducts site analysis of potential facilities, public spaces, and downtown revitalization projects; collects demographic information and other relevant data to assist in decision-making. Drafts and prepares presentations, letters, memoranda, mail-outs, monthly reports, and other documents and reports as required; proofreads items for accuracy and completeness; approves and/or submits for approval; makes copies and files for future reference and use; prepares agenda items and presents to City Council and administration. Attends meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops, and training classes to stay apprised of changes in legislation and current trends within the industry; applies current information to daily work routine; provides feedback to staff regarding new information and training sessions; ensures compliance by other staff. Performs other related duties as required. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field; supplemented by three (3) years of previous experience and/or training in the planning field dealing with grants, land use, development, and/or business development, marketing, management, public policy or related areas; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Mississippi driver's license. EXAMINATION: The examination will consist of satisfactory proof of completion of Minimum Qualifications as stated above constituting 70% of the final score and 30% to be derived from the oral interview, totaling 100%. The total composite score must be 70 or above to be considered for the position. Applicants deemed to have met the Minimum Qualifications will be notified of the date, time, and location of the oral test. No test will be rescheduled regardless of circumstances. Persons should not apply unless they clearly meet the qualifications set forth in this announcement. False statements are grounds for rejection or discharge from employment. All position classifications will require a criminal background report and work history. Failure to complete the background investigation phase shall constitute a failure in the examination. Certification of Eligibility for this position is contingent upon verification of information submitted on the Civil Service Application. As a prerequisite for employment with the City of Meridian, all job applicants offered employment must submit to a drug and alcohol test. Any job applicant who tests positive for drugs or alcohol will not be considered for employment. EQUAL EMPLOYME
Created: 2024-09-20