Planner I - Historic Preservation

*Up to $3,000 Sign On Bonus May Be Available*

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The application must be filled out completely; stating "see resume" anywhere in the application, is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

Enjoy Industry Leading Benefits:

• Generous paid vacation and extended sick leave, holidays, and flexible work arrangements.
• Free and discounted transportation options to get around Aspen and the Valley.
• Professional development and learning opportunities, including a tuition reimbursement program.
• Health and wellbeing options that include Medical, Dental, Vision, robust and accessible employee assistance program, and nationally recognized wellbeing platform.
• Monetary bonuses for healthy lifestyle choices and to use towards other personal needs.
• Plan for your future with competitive employer contributions to a 401a retirement plans and Social Security, in addition to an individual 457b retirement plan and Roth IRA option.
• Have peace of mind with life and disability insurance.

The City of Aspen is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Title: Planner I - Historic Preservation
Department: Community Development
Classification: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range: $32.96/hour - $37.08/hour

[Salary Range: $32.96/hour - $49.44/hour]

Position Summary: This position works with other members of the Planning and Zoning land use team (12 members in total) under the larger umbrella of Aspen's Community Development department (Planning, Building, Environmental Health and Sustainability). The Planner I - Historic Preservation position performs a variety of complex technical planning duties with an emphasis on historic preservation review and provides support and service to the public and Community Development Department consistent with the organization's values and mission statement. This includes participating in zoning support, planner of the day duties, planning caseload, building permit review, and other special projects.

Supervision Exercised and Received: Works under the general direction of the Historic Preservation Officer.

Essential Job Functions:

Customer Service and Records Keeping
*Serves in the Planner of the Day rotation, providing customer service to the public in person and by phone by answering technical questions related to the land use code, official zone district map, and departmental procedures. Advises the public on processes and regulations, handles pre-application conferences, and reviews applications for completeness and substantive content.
*Confers with applicants and the public to explain, interpret, and discuss regulations, plans, and policies as they relate to proposed development and provides verbal and written communication as needed. Maintains records and files for data tracking purposes according to departmental procedures.

Building Permit Review and Field Supervision
*Reviews all permits submitted following a land use approval to which the Planner served as staff and other permits affecting properties within the Historic Preservation program's purview as assigned.
*Supervises construction, including periodically observing the project from the street and formally meeting with contractors onsite.
*Advises property owners and builders of historic properties on historic preservation best practices. Manages requests for changes in the field, coordinating additional approvals when needed.

Administration of Historic Preservation Ordinance
*Prepares and presents reports and recommendations regarding properties within Aspen's Historic Districts and/or individually designated historic resources to the Historic Preservation Commission, Planning & Zoning Commission, and potentially City Council.
*Assists in actions taken to address unpermitted alterations or Demolition by Neglect affecting historic properties. Coordinates enforcement work with other City departments and the City Attorney's Office.

Current Planning
*Primarily processes land use cases and reviews permits that involve historic resources. Performs professional level planning work according to designated level, including participating in zoning support and special planning projects, such as long-range planning. Assists senior level staff as backup to major land use cases.
*Completes design review applying Aspen's Historic Preservation Design Guidelines and the Residential, Commercial, Lodging and Historic District Design Standards and Guidelines.
*Reviews and analyzes land use applications, written application materials, and other application documents for consistency with applicable provisions of the City's Land Use Code and Comprehensive Plans. Determines sufficiency of applications for completeness and content. Formulates recommendations and prepares staff reports for assigned land use cases.
*Researches historical records and matters pertinent to land use applications. Coordinates referral agencies through the Development Review Committee (DRC) to facilitate timely, complete, and accurate comments. Confers with Zoning and Engineering staff to ensure compliance with code, conditions of approval, and representations of the applicant.
*Presents staff reports to appointed boards, citizen groups, and elected officials through written communication and oral presentations at public meetings. Conducts site visits with applicants, appointed and elected officials.

City Organizational Values:
*Supports and models the City of Aspen organizational values: Service, Partnership, Stewardship, and Innovation. Organizational values are shared principles that guide behavior across the organization. This position is responsible for upholding and applying these values while performing daily work functions.
Other duties as assigned.
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Core Competencies: Displays the following key competencies and behaviors in the overall job performance to include knowledge, skills, and abilities:

* Historic Preservation: Fluency in best practices. Knowledge of national and state level historic preservation organizations and legislation.
* Service: Provides service with excellence, humility, integrity, and respect in daily work, builds trust by listening, treats people with respect, acknowledges opportunities for improvement, and follows through with commitments.
* Partnership: Actively creates strong, supportive internal and external relationships to attain a common goal and achieve greater impact together.
* Stewardship: Balances social, environmental, and financial responsibilities, evaluating the impact of decision making on a thriving future for all.
* Innovation: Develops technical expertise to pursue new ideas and creative outcomes, grounded in Aspen's unique culture, opportunities, and challenges.
* Communication: Knowledge of effective and appropriate communication. Ability to use knowledge effectively in various contexts which may require oral, written, visual and non-verbal communication.
* Interpersonal: Works to develop strength in interpersonal skills. Has the ability to work well with diverse groups of people, both inside and outside the organization.
* Technology: Demonstrates technology skills sufficient for the nature and level of position. Demonstrates a willingness to learn new technologies and transition job duties accordingly to support technological advances and innovation.
* Building/Construction Systems: Knowledge of or ability to learn zoning regulations, laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, and agency rules as applicable to the Community Development Department.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in land use planning, historic preservation, architecture, urban design, public administration, or a related field.

Experience: One to three years of professional experience in a relevant setting sufficient to demonstrate success in Planner I position. Experience working on projects that involve historic resources. Experience reading architectural drawings and plans. (A Master's degree in planning, architecture, history, or related field may be considered in lieu of professional experience.)

Preferred Candidate: Master's Degree in historic preservation, architecture, land use planning, or related field, at least one year of planning experience specific to historic preservation, experience writing technical reports related to historic properties, knowledge of the Secretary of the Interiors Standards, knowledge of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) and Section 106, experience using GIS, AICP certification or ability to obtain certification within one year of employment, and/or experience in a destination tourism-based community.

Technical Knowledge: Ability to interpret technical drawings, construction plans, schematics, topographic maps, and floor plans. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook (Email), and a basic understanding of computers and online computer-based technology applications, which includes accessing web-based platforms. Graphic Design skills desirable.
Licenses & Certifications: Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of start date.

NOTE: Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required abilities, knowledge, and skills as determined by the City of Aspen may be substituted for the requirements above.
NOTE: This position requires a Criminal Background Check upon hire. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a Criminal Background Check.

Position Type and Work Hours:
*Regular full time, hours may vary with workload.
*Evenings required for Historic Preservation Commission meetings, which are currently held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.
*Additional Evenings/Weekends may be required depending on department needs and special projects.
*Aspen's Flexible Work Arrangement policy allows for up to 2 days of remote work per week, as determined by supervisor.

Work Environment:
*Indoors: Office environment.
*Outdoors/Off-Site: Meetings, trainings, inspections, and site visits at a variety of city facilities and other areas.

Physical Demands:

Bending: Bending or position oneself to move an object from one level to another.
Carrying: transporting or moving an object.
Climbing: Ascending or descending stationary objects.
Crouching: Bending body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination: Performing work through using two or more body parts or other devices.
Gripping/Grasping: Ability to apply pressure with fingers and palm.
Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, through use of hands, fingers, or other means.
Hearing: Perceiving and comprehending the nature and direction of sounds.
Lifting: Moving objects weighing no more than 10 pounds from one level to another.
Reaching: Extending the hands and arms or other device in any direction.
Repetitive motions: Making frequent or continuous movements.
Sitting: Remaining in a stationary position.
Standing: Ability to sustain position for a period of time.
Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
Talking: Communicating ideas or exchanging information.
Visual Acuity: Ability to bring objects into focus.
Walking: Ability to move to traverse from one location to another.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.