Senior Planner

A Senior Planner at the City of San Antonio is responsible for complex planning and supervisory tasks within the Planning Department. This includes developing recommendations on zoning and planning issues, preparing reports, facilitating community meetings, and leading subordinate planners. The role is essential in guiding urban development and ensuring community needs are met through thoughtful decision-making.

To qualify for the Senior Planner position at the City of San Antonio, applicants must possess a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution, along with at least two years of increasingly responsible urban planning experience. Supervisory experience is preferred, and a Master's degree or AICP certification is highly regarded, along with a strong background in land use planning and community engagement.

You can apply for the Senior Planner position with the City of San Antonio by visiting the official City of San Antonio website. There you will find the application portal where you can submit your application directly. Make sure to prepare your resume and any required documents to be considered.

The work environment for a Senior Planner at the City of San Antonio is primarily office-based, located at 100 W Houston St. However, the role may also involve conducting neighborhood meetings and attending public hearings, which provides opportunities to engage with the community directly. Thus, a mix of independent and interactive work is experienced.

Yes, the City of San Antonio promotes career growth and continuous learning within its departments, including planning. As a Senior Planner, you’ll have opportunities to supervise junior staff, lead projects, and contribute to influential city-wide decisions, which can pave the way for further advancement within the city's planning division or other government sectors.

Key skills for a Senior Planner with the City of San Antonio include strong analytical abilities, effective written and verbal communication, and proficiency with various planning software like Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, and ArcGIS. Additionally, experience in public engagement and a solid understanding of zoning laws and land use planning are crucial for success.

The typical work hours for a Senior Planner at the City of San Antonio are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, the role may also require evening and weekend hours to accommodate community meetings and public hearings, reflecting the city's commitment to engage with residents.

When answering this question, it's important to highlight specific projects you've completed and the methodologies you applied. Discuss the planning frameworks or zoning regulations you’ve dealt with and how your contributions positively impacted the community. Tailor your response to align with the objectives of the City of San Antonio.

A strong response to this question includes discussing your organizational skills and methodologies like prioritization techniques or project management tools. Provide examples that show how you successfully met deadlines while balancing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, particularly in urban settings.

Engaging the community effectively is essential for a Senior Planner. Discuss methods you've used, such as neighborhood meetings, surveys, and public hearings, highlighting successful outcomes and feedback from community members. Emphasize your approach to listening and incorporating the community’s input into planning decisions.

It’s beneficial to mention tools you're familiar with, such as ArcGIS for mapping and spatial analysis, as well as Microsoft Office and Adobe Suite for documentation and presentations. Explain how you've used these tools in previous roles to enhance the planning process and report generation.

Choose a specific example of a challenging situation, detailing the complexity of the issue and your approach to resolving it. Highlight your problem-solving skills, collaboration with stakeholders, and the eventual positive outcomes of your efforts.

Demonstrating your commitment to continuous learning is crucial. Explain how you stay informed through professional organizations, webinars, newsletters, or conferences. Describe any ongoing education efforts you've made to stay ahead of changes that could impact your work as a planner.

Discuss the importance of data analytics in informed decision-making. Highlight how you've used data to support your planning efforts, such as demonstrating trends, supporting recommendations, or addressing community concerns through metrics.

Effective team supervision is key. Discuss your leadership philosophy and specific strategies, such as regular one-on-one check-ins or team meetings, setting clear expectations, and providing constructive feedback. Highlight your experience in mentoring junior planners.

When discussing presentations, emphasize your ability to convey complex information in an engaging manner. Describe your preparation process, familiarity with the audience, and techniques you use to ensure clarity and impact, supported by examples from your past experiences.

This question requires tact and diplomacy. Discuss your approach to finding common ground, possibly through negotiation, compromises, or facilitating open dialogue between stakeholders. Providing examples from past experiences can make your answer more compelling.