PLANNING COORDINATOR


BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving planning, developing and coordinating work-training programs and providing technical assistance to governmental and private organizations involved in the preparation and implementation of regional and statewide planning programs.  Coordinates and develops planning programs designed to improve the status of unemployed or underemployed state residents and ensures compliance with state or federal regulations.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:
•    Plans, coordinates and supervises the development, assembly and analysis of data relating to the identification of manpower and community needs and establishment of program priorities.

•    Provides technical planning assistance to municipalities, private non-profit organizations, counties and regions involving the initiation and continuation of comprehensive planning programs; provides technical assistance to local government and private non-profit organizations relative to specific planning-related problems and issues.
    
•    Reviews and analyzes data on physical conditions, population trends, housing conditions and social and economic factors, which pertain to the planning function; prepares difficult and complex reports and recommends planning-related actions.

•    Meets with local officials and groups to explain the purposes and functions of planning, the content of planning programs and the planning assistance available from the federal government through the planning assistance program; meets with local planning groups and assists them in preparing the materials needed for state and federal grant applications.
    
•    Insures that local, urban and regional planning programs financed by grants are carried out and completed in accordance with contract agreements and state and federal requirements; reviews local plans and supportive planning studies and reports to insure technical proficiency; assists in coordinating planning activities with other departmental programs; prepares and reviews local and regional plans; may review the work of subordinate planners.

•    Assists in promoting the establishment of local planning groups; the procurement and selection of planning consultants and specialists for special planning work or studies; prepares technical manuals; writes professional and technical planning reports and papers; conducts related correspondence.

•    Advises and assists state and local officials in establishing goals, priorities, programs, organizations, regulations and procedures in certain areas, such as the pattern and intensity of land use, transportation facilities and use, housing, public utilities, public safety, health and social services, community services, environmental pollution control and park and recreation; supervises lower-level planners in the provision of such services.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

This job family consists of three levels which are distinguished based on the complexity of job assignments, the expertise required to complete assigned duties, and the responsibility assigned for the supervision of others.

Level I:                Code:  E48A            Salary Band:  H

This s the basic level of this job family where employees assist higher level coordinators in the development of various planning and development programs designed to improve the status and well being of state residents.  In this role they will monitor contractors to ensure compliance with grant regulations, assist in performing required research and in providing assistance to other governmental units engaged in planning and development work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the resources available to the unemployed or underemployed; of the principles and practices of regional and statewide comprehensive planning; of socioeconomic factors involved in planning; and of public administration principles and practices.  Ability is required to present ideas and findings clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; to exercise good judgment in analyzing situations and making decisions; to understand and follow oral and written instructions; to interpret laws, rules and regulations; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, business or public administration, landscape architecture, geography or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of professional planning experience in economic, physical, manpower and/or fiscal planning with the responsibility for the design and implementation of comprehensive planning at the local, regional or state level for each year of the required education.

Level II:                Code:  E48B            Salary Band:  I

This is the career level of this job family where employees perform responsible work at the full-performance level in providing assistance to governmental units or private organizations in preparing and implementing statewide planning programs involving community development projects, federal or state programs or other associated activities.  Employees will perform work independently with results being reviewed for compliance with established guidelines and desired goals.  Functional supervision may be provided to lower-level coordinators assigned to assist in the work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the principles and practices of statewide comprehensive planning; of socioeconomic factors involved in regional and statewide planning; of public administration principles and practices; of types and sources of statistical data pertaining to the labor market and of effective methods of obtaining such data; of charting; and of the principles of project management and supervision.  Ability is required to define planning related needs and problems and formulate appropriate recommendations; to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; and understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, business or public administration, landscape architecture, geography or a closely related field and two years of professional planning experience in economic, physical, manpower and/or fiscal planning with responsibility for the design and implementation of comprehensive planning at the local, regional or state level; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Level III:            Code:  E48C            Salary Band:  K

This is the leadership level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities involving supervising and directing the activities of employees engaged in providing assistance to local governments or private organizations in organizing and implementing statewide planning programs and will also provide advanced technical assistance on complex or difficult planning-related problems.  Incumbents will plan, organize and control the work to be done, make specified work assignments to lower-level coordinators and evaluate performance by assigned staff members.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the principles and practices of regional and statewide comprehensive planning; of industrial and labor conditions within the state; of socioeconomic factors involved in statewide planning; of public administration principles and practices; of types and sources of statistical data pertaining to the labor market and of effective methods of obtaining such data; of charting; of supervisory principles and practices;  of the principles of project management; and of state and federal laws pertaining to urban and regional planning and administration procedures related to local planning assistance.  Ability is required to define planning-related needs and problems and to formulate appropriate recommendations; to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; to prepare and review complex planning reports; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor's degree in urban planning, business or public administration, landscape architecture, geography or a closely related field and five years of professional planning experience in economic, physical, manpower and/or fiscal planning with responsibility for the design and implementation of comprehensive planning at the local, regional or state level; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.