Senior Planner – Data Analytics and Demographics

The Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department is looking to create an innovative and dynamic team of hardworking, committed individuals with a passion for carrying out community goals. The Planning Department is pleased to announce an opportunity for the position of Advanced Plans Division, Senior Planner – Demography and Data Analyst. This position may be filled as a Senior Planner or Associate Planner (based on qualifications).

This is a key position, primarily responsible for providing demographic data reports and analysis; serving as the liaison for the U.S. Census Bureau; and working with various entities to produce annual progress reports and/or updates to the Comprehensive Plan. The Advanced Plans Division is responsible for research projects, area planning, and the Wichita-Sedgwick County Comprehensive Plan. It is one of four divisions in the Planning Department.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) is a consolidated City-County Department, providing professional planning services to both local governments. The Department has an annual budget of approximately $1.7 million; 17 positions; and four divisions. Applicants are encouraged to review the department webpage at www.wichita.gov/planning for more information about the department and projects.

The Greater Wichita region is a fantastic community. With an aviation heritage spanning more than 100 years, it is a community built on entrepreneurship and innovation. The Wichita region offers an amazing quality of life with a low-cost of living. The region boasts wonderful parks, more than 100 miles of bikeways, multiple museums, fabulous dining opportunities, hundreds of annual events, and more. Check out www.choosewichita.com for more information.

Current Department Projects

Census and Demographic Information

The Planning Department provides demographic analysis, estimates, and reports for the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, and various planning initiatives. The Department serves as a liaison for Census data verification and comments.

Places for People Plan

In June of 2019, the City and County approved the Places for People Plan, the Urban Infill Strategy for the City and County. It recommends investment in areas largely established prior to the 1960s. The Planning Department is currently working with community stakeholders to identify, review and recommend updates to the zoning code based on this plan. The Planning Department also provides assistance for implementation of the Wichita Land Bank and Wichita Affordable Housing Fund.

Zoning and Subdivision Cases

The Planning Department is responsible for administering the City and County processes for zoning changes and platting. This involves accepting applications, providing staff support to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (and sub-committees), distributing public notices, and more. The public meetings for subdivision and zoning cases occur on alternating weeks throughout the year. The Current Plans Division processes approximately 500 cases per year and consists of four staff positions. It is supported by three divisions in the Planning Department and is substantially involved in many long-range planning initiatives.

More Information

Applicants are encouraged to review the department webpage at www.wichita.gov/planning for more information about the department and projects.

Senior Planner, Advanced Plans Division

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK:

This is professionally accountable and responsible work involving assignments in the field of urban and regional planning, focusing on comprehensive, neighborhood, current, transportation, and historic preservation planning initiatives. Work performed includes significant plan project management and planning case management responsibilities, involving technical, administrative and programmatic elements. Work is performed independently, receiving assistance from a supervisor as needed. Work is directed and reviewed through the establishment of goals and subsequent evaluation of progress toward goal attainment.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

• Use of the Census Bureau’s website to obtain, compile and analyze demographic data for various geographies within GIS, databases and spreadsheets for various MAPD plans and other departments, agencies and citizen requests.
• Obtain, compile and analyze Sedgwick County Appraiser’s data and GIS databases to track development activity within Sedgwick County; compile an annual report and analyze trends over time statistically and geographically.
• Act as the liaison for Sedgwick County and all municipalities in Sedgwick County for U.S. Census Bureau projects, including obtaining and compiling annexation data each year to respond to the annual Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) of the U.S. Census Bureau for all jurisdictions in Sedgwick County.
• Compile and analyze data from the U.S. Census Bureau, National Citizen Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics, City and County Capital Improvement Programs and other City and County Department in order to complete a Comprehensive Plan Annual Monitoring Report that evaluates the progress of comprehensive plan goals and strategies over time.
• Work with other jurisdictions in Sedgwick County to update and maintain urban growth areas and zoning areas of influence so that they do not conflict.  Also work with them to allocate future population based upon a forecasted control total of population for the County during the Comprehensive Plan growth period.
• Plans and coordinates the work of others as part of plan project and planning case management responsibilities.  
• Prepares planning research analysis and related reports.
• Monitors, administers and evaluates third party contracts.
• Manages neighborhood, area and special plan preparation projects.
• Makes public presentations to boards and other groups.
• Assists citizens with questions and issues regarding processes and programs.
• Meets with neighborhood, community and development groups as part of the planning process.
• Maintains and analyzes complex databases and creates mapping applications using GIS software.
• Develops elements of functional plans contained within the framework of comprehensive, neighborhood or transportation plans.
• Facilitates the implementation of comprehensive plan elements into specific initiatives/projects for public or private action.
• Develops grant applications.
• Completion of work assignments may require the operation of a vehicle.
• These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive. 
• Other related duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

• Thorough knowledge of practices and principles of comprehensive planning
• Considerable knowledge of research methods and statistics including spreadsheet applications to planning databases
• Knowledge of regulatory activities, such as zoning, subdivision and development project review
• May require knowledge of the principles of urban design
• May require knowledge of economics or urban sociology
• May require knowledge of computer modeling techniques for projecting population and employment change
• May require knowledge of federal and state programs relating to planning activity
• May require knowledge of planning, zoning, subdivision and/or annexation law
• Knowledge of electronic spreadsheet and database development, using basic mathematical and descriptive statistical operations, Geographic Information Systems, and the use of Microsoft Windows Office Suite
• Ability to use a computer to access, interpret and record information
• Ability to lean and reach as needed to read and interpret plans and specifications from a print that may be as large as 36 by 48 inches with information printed as small as thirty characters per inch
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, representatives of other organizations, and the public
• May require ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
• Ability to walk, stand, lift and carry 25-30 pounds.
• Conduct and facilitate virtual meetings.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

A master's degree in planning and a minimum of two years of related planning experience. Advanced degrees in architecture, civil engineering, geography, urban studies, public administration, law, economics or similar areas with ties to urban or regional planning may be considered. An equivalent combination of education, experience and training may be considered. 

 Candidates that do not meet the required qualifications for Senior Planner will be considered and position would be filled as an Associate Planner with the requirements of a  master's degree in planning or advanced degrees in architecture, civil engineering, geography, urban studies, public administration, law, economics or similar areas with ties to urban or regional planning may be considered. 

 Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.