WORKING FOR THE CITY OF MCKINNEY

Working for the City of McKinney is more than a job.  It is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.  It is also an opportunity to have a hand in the development of one of the fastest growing communities in the nation.  In 2014, our community was named “The #1 Best Place to Live in America.”  Although proud of that honor, everyone on our team is committed to making McKinney an even better place to live, work and raise a family.  That’s why we exist.

OUR CORE VALUES

City of McKinney employees work hard and at a very fast pace.   However, we also look after and support one another.  All of us are guided by four employee-inspired values – Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (RISE).  We are also supported by servant-based leaders who foster and support a healthy, family-oriented culture.  All new employees are expected to embrace and live by our core values and commit to helping us sustain our exceptional work environment as a high performance organization (HPO).

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Under relatively limited supervision, this position is responsible for researching, analyzing, reviewing, and facilitating matters related to growth, development, redevelopment, revitalization, and the physical organization of the community. Depending on area assignment, the focus of an individual planner may include the review of and responsibility for development and zoning requests, activities related to comprehensive planning and research, neighborhood planning, downtown planning and/or various historic preservation activities. At the discretion of the Planning Manager, this position is also responsible for researching special issues, assisting in the drafting of amendments to development regulations, and carrying out other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions/Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

In order for us to continue to achieve our primary function of making McKinney a better place to live, work, and raise a family, we hold these expectations for all employees.

Learn and demonstrate an understanding of how team, department, and City goals are interconnected.
Contribute to a positive work culture.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
Ability to assess his/her work performance or the work performance of the team.
Contribute to the development of others and/or the working unit or overall organization.
Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, to demonstrate team skills, and to perform a fair share of team responsibilities.
Ability to continuously learn and develop through a mix of internal and external training opportunities, and if applicable, encourage subordinates to do the same.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Exemplifies respect, integrity, service and excellence in all actions, speech, and decisions.
Provides excellent customer service; responds to concerns and inquiries.
Maintains department and project files and documents.
Assists other team members within the division and department, as needed.
Assists in facilitating special team projects both within and between departments.
Attends department, public, boards and commissions, and City Council meetings, as needed.
Complies with all written City policies and procedures.
Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in City and department attendance policies and procedures.
Performs other duties as assigned.
When assigned to the Downtown Development and Preservation Team:

Planners on the Downtown Development and Preservation team carry out reinvestment activities in McKinney’s historic downtown that balance preservation principles and character with market needs.

With relatively limited oversight, processes, analyzes and evaluates historic preservation applications such as Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs), architectural elevations, and historic markers in accordance with applicable codes, policies, and design guidelines for consideration and action by the city.
Evaluates and advises on development applications such as site plans and (re)zonings that occur within the historically significant areas of McKinney. This includes the Traditional McKinney Neighborhood Overlay (TMN), Historic Preservation Overlay (H), Historically Significant Area (HSA), and the McKinney Town Center (MTC) form-based zoning district.
Prepares reports, meeting agendas, graphics, and associated studies and documentation for distribution to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) and City Council; this includes making formal presentations to the Board.
Provides direct support for revitalization-related economic incentive programs such as the Historic Neighborhood Improvement Zone (HNIZ), Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ), and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ).
Researches and applies current historic preservation state/federal practices at the local level.
Performs quality assurance reviews on select historic preservation applications.
Coordinates and promotes historic preservation efforts between various departments/division, such as Planning, Engineering, Building Inspections, Public Information Office, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Main Street and/or neighborhood groups.
Presents and provides information, education, and technical assistance to citizens, applicants, property owners, architects, staff members, or other individuals/agencies regarding historic preservation guidelines, planning issues, ordinances, site plan reviews, procedures, forms, or other issues.
Assists in the development, drafting and implementation of policies and regulations related to preservation and redevelopment.
Prepares maps and exhibits, as needed.
Performs field inspections.
OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

Perform other duties as assigned or directed.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND BEHAVIORS

Ability to embrace and embody the City’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.).
Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and people to whom service is provided.
Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness.
Ability to plan and organize work, time, and resources, and if applicable, that of subordinates.
Knowledge of planning principles, specifically related to land use planning, development, community engagement, and implementation.
Understanding for how short-term decision making affects long-term planning goals of the city.
Requires strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally.
Skill to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data and/or information using established criteria.  Includes exercise of discretion in determining actual or probable consequences, and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
Skill to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Skill to utilize a variety of advisory and design data and information, such as zoning and subdivision codes, planning maps, state statutes and city ordinances.
Skill to perform mathematical operations involving basic algebraic principles and formulas, and basic geometric principles and calculations.
Skill to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
Skill to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.
Skill to perform semi-skilled coordinated movements, such as performing data entry on a computer, operating a vehicle, and utilizing an engineering scale.
Requires the ability provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others on how to apply procedures and standards to specific situations.
Exemplifies the core values of teamwork, respect, integrity, service and excellence for the City of McKinney and Development Services Division.
Exhibits enthusiasm for work and a dedication for achieving quality results in alignment with the city’s goals and objectives.
Build professional relationships with internal staff and customers.
The ability to work in a team environment; contribute as a team member and treat co-workers, subordinates, and customers with respect.
Offers flexibility and adaptability, especially during times of change.