Job Abstract

Applications Accepted From: All Persons Interested

Division: Development Services
Workdays & Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.*
*Some nights and weekends required. Subject to change

You are invited to bring your passion for public service and improving the Houston community to our team as an Assistant Planner. Houston is an ideal place to live, where it is enjoyable to be outside most of the year and has a booming population thanks to a rapidly expanding job market. Houston is a place where the cost of living is more than 25% below the top 20 metro average, and with no state income tax, it is possible to buy a house with a modest income. As the fourth largest and most ethnically diverse city in the U.S., Houston has unlimited choices when it comes to food, festivals, sports, museums, and the performing arts.

ABOUT US
Welcome to the City of Houston’s Planning and Development Department. Our department is a key player in the Mayor’s effort to build a vibrant, resilient, and equitable Houston that works for all our two million residents. Much like Houston itself, we are a culturally diverse team that is committed to improving Houston’s built environment. Our team is filled with energetic change agents who make a difference every day by balancing the needs and interests of the community we serve. We operate with four core values: Innovation, Collaboration, Integrity, and Empowerment. We treat ourselves, our partners, and our customers with respect and we put continuous learning at the center of our operation.
Check out some of our work in the American Planning Association Magazine https://www.planning.org/planning/2020/jan/the-z-word/

POSITION PROFILE
This position conducts a regulatory review of development proposals and subdivision plat applications; researches development activity considers policy trends, and prepares recommendations; interacts directly with the public, developers, engineers, architects, and other professionals; and makes presentations to the Planning Commission, city officials, other boards and agencies.
A sample of your responsibilities include:

• Reviews, or assists in reviewing, development proposals of limited complexity for compliance with applicable regulations.
• Provides technical assistance and professional support in the administration of specific planning programs, regulations, or ordinances.
• Performs routine administrative tasks in designated planning program areas, including data entry, file management, and responding to customer inquiries.
• Research and compiles information on a variety of planning issues from multiple sources.
• Prepares maps and other graphical representations of data of varying complexity.
• Works closely with the public on basic planning programs, requirements, or ordinances.

• Specific Job Skills: knowledge of planning principles and City of Houston operations and our governance structure, including planning-related ordinances; deep knowledge of the Houston community; excellent written and verbal communication skills; proficient in Microsoft Office with some ArcGIS experience.
• Preferred Personality Traits: self-driven, results-oriented with a positive outlook, and a clear focus on high quality and customer service; a natural forward planner who critically assesses own performance; mature, credible, and comfortable in dealing with mid to high executive levels and politicians; reliable, tolerant, and determined; empathic communicator, able to see things from the other person's point of view; well-presented and businesslike; keen for new experience, responsibility and accountability; able to work well with others and be a team-player.
  

Preference will be given to applicants with the ability to demonstrate knowledge of planning and transportation principles and excellent written and verbal communication skills; Strong attention to detail; Novice in ArcGIS and Microsoft Office; Demonstrated time management and organizational skills; Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills; Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines; Adapts well to changes; Demonstrated success working with diverse clientele. Should have an interest in how properties are planned for development. Development includes property acquisition, subdivision, and construction.

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED
None. However, the Department may administer a skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION: No
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if candidate is promoted into this position, he/she must pass an assigned drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.