Assistant/Associate Planner - Shorezone
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Stateline, Nevada
THE HIRING OF THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT ON THE ADOPTION
OF THE SHOREZONE ORDINANCES AND RELATED FUNDING.
Essential Functions
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time position as an Assistant/Associate Planner. This position involves environmental review and design assessment of development proposals for projects primarily located in the Shorezone of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Development proposals will be reviewed for conformance with the TRPA Code of Ordinances and the 1987 Regional Plan. Shorezone projects typically include, but are not limited to, piers, buoys, breakwaters, shoreline protective structures, dredging activities, commercial concessions and a variety of other application types including residential and commercial projects as well as scenic assessments. The Assistant/Associate Planner position may also be involved in the review of environmental documents that would include Environmental Impact Statements and Marina Master Plans. Additional responsibilities include extensive contact with the public both in person and on the phone, field work, preparation and presentation of reports to the Hearings Officer, Advisory Planning Commission and Governing Board and providing assistance to local governments and governmental agencies. The Assistant/Associate Planner may also be involved coordination and directing the activities of the interagency Shorezone Review Committee. The position reports to the Planning Team Leader.
Position-Specific Responsibilities
- Review shorezone related development proposals and resolve project issues.
- Assist the public at the front counter and on the telephone in interpreting and explaining the TRPA Code, advising applicants, and explaining and assisting with TRPA processes.
- Prepare and present staff reports to the Advisory Planning Commission, Hearings Officer, and the Governing Board.
- May participate in the management of the interagency Shorezone Review Committee at the direction of the project manager.
- May be responsible for assisting project managers with the scoping and management of the review of environmental documents such as environmental assessments and environment impact statements.
- This position may also be assigned to review other types of development proposals outside of shorezone projects as needed and other duties and projects as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
- BS/BA degree in land use planning, natural resource management, geology or a closely related field.
- The Associate position requires two years of professional, planning related experience.
- A Master's Degree may substitute for one year of general planning experience.
- The ability to read and interpret architectural, landscape, and site plans is required.
- Outstanding customer service skills and the ability to analyze and solve complex problems related to planning.
- The ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups, organize group work schedules, evaluate work load priorities, excellent time management skills, and the ability to maintain a high level of personal productivity.
- Outstanding oral and written communication and time management skills.
- A good understanding of littoral processes and fisheries is desirable.
- Analytical skills and experience reviewing impacts to scenic quality, and ability to prescribe appropriate scenic quality mitigation for development proposals is highly desirable.
- A valid driver's license is required.
Desirable Knowledge/Experience - Assistant Level
- Knowledge of construction impacts for shorezone development (i.e., piling installations, shoreline protective structures, dredging, buoy fields, water intake lines, temporary boat ramps, etc.).
- Knowledge and prescription of temporary best management practices for shorezone development projects.
- Knowledge of TRPA shoreland and shorezone scenic review and mitigation standards.
- Knowledge of aquatic invasive species and associated management practices.
- Knowledge of marina operations and associated land and water uses.
Desirable Knowledge/Experience - Associate Level (includes the above)
- Familiarity with regulations of other shorezone and lakezone development agencies with jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin.
- Experience with the implementation and coordination of federal, state, and local water laws applicable to the Tahoe Basin.
- Experience with fisheries habitat restoration and mitigation plans.
- General familiarity with the various TRPA shorezone regulations of the Regional Plan, particularly the new shorezone regulations.
- Experience with the processing of discretionary permit applications for various shorezone and lakezone development projects.
Analysis
- Assistant: Requires strong analytic and math analysis in somewhat complex areas.
- Associate: Gathers and interprets data dealing with complex problems or situations.
Decision Making
- Assistant: Interprets somewhat complex rules/guidelines in making independent decisions.
- Associate: Uses own judgment and own interpretation of agency guidelines when making decisions. Suggests non-standard decisions and solutions for approval prior to implementation.
Project/Program Management
- Assistant: May act as lead or help others on project or program team.
- Associate: Solely manages a small or moderate complexity project or program.
Communication Level
- Assistant: Require the ability to communicate detailed information either verbally or in writing. May make public presentations concerning project issues and recommendations.
- Associate: Requires the ability to make persuasive verbal or written presentations on complex issues in a variety of forums.
Working Conditions / Physical Effort
- Office environment.
- Bending, stooping.
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
- Using office equipment, keyboard, telephone.
- Site reviews requiring use of vehicles and boats and field equipment in all types of weather and variable terrain.
- May require occasional work on the TRPA boat.
- Off-site meetings.
Compensation
FLSA Status: Non Exempt
Grade Level: 8 / 11
Salary Range: $39,931 - $51,112 (Assistant) or $50,303 - $64,368 (Associate)
Hiring Range: $39,931 - $46,320 (Assistant) or $50,303 - $58,349 (Associate)
Agency Benefits
Agency staff members receive 27 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), paid health, dental, vision insurance plan; and membership in Agency retirement plan.
Closing Date
5:00 PM on Friday, October 24, 2008
To Apply
Any qualified person interested in this position should submit their résumé and a letter of interest to:
Michele Chouinard
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
PO Box 5310
Stateline NV 89449-5310
Fax: 775-588-4527
Electronic mail: hr@trpa.org
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