Occ. Code 2476110

LAND USE TRAINING SPECIALIST 1, GRADE 18	2476110
LAND USE TRAINING SPECIALIST 2, GRADE 23	2476120

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

Land Use Training Specialists provide education, training and technical advice on planning, shared services, zoning and land use issues to local government officials and municipalities, including city/town/village and county governing boards, planning boards, zoning boards of appeals, enforcement officers, other planning and professional staff, statewide organizations, and community residents.

These positions are classified only at the Department of State.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Land Use Training Specialists develop and deliver training courses on a variety of land use and local government efficiency issues to local government officials; assist municipalities in addressing local land use and environmental issues; review and analyze land use plans and laws submitted by local and regional officials for technical review, such as draft zoning regulations, and comprehensive land use plans; provide technical advice on land use issues to municipal officials; and research and produce  training programs and written and visual materials to guide local officials in conducting local land use programs.

Incumbents of these positions frequently work independently in the field. Extensive travel throughout the State, and working evening hours to conduct training sessions are required.

LAND USE TRAINING SPECIALIST 1: full performance level; technical expert and liaison with localities on a full range of land use issues.

LAND USE TRAINING SPECIALIST 2: working supervisor; supervises a unit with one or more Land Use Training Specialists 1 and may supervise clerical staff; coordinates work with other units and with agency programs, such as counsels office; coordinates training efforts with county, regional and Statewide organizations; and responsible for the most difficult projects.

RELATED CLASSES

Economic Development Specialists provide technical and problem solving assistance to economic development organizations and to businesses and prospective businesses in the State. They conduct training; promote and publicize economic development programs; and implement aspects of economic development programs designed to promote growth of businesses in the State.

Coastal Resources Specialists manage planning and construction projects undertaken by waterfront communities and local organizations to advance economic development opportunities and natural resource protection activities by providing planning and technical assistance to local governments, State and federal agencies. Coastal Resources Specialists review projects and activities in the coastal zone, which involve decisions by federal and State agencies, for consistency with the State's Coastal Management Program.

Natural Resources Planners compile data relating to existing natural resources, land uses, population trends, economic growth factors and physical characteristics of the land from a variety of sources including government officials and on-site investigations. They prepare reports and present them to local planning boards and officials; conduct studies concerned with recreational use of State and private facilities and land ownership patterns, and also engage in regional and natural resources planning.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

LAND USE TRAINING SPECIALIST 1: prepares courses on a variety of land use and local government issues; surveys local officials to determine needs; assists with the development of training materials and technical publications; serves as instructor on planning and zoning techniques, local law adoption, legal issues, and general local government issues, law and land use regulations; advises local officials on the organization of local planning efforts and the development of inter-governmental cooperation and information sharing; assists local officials in identifying and analyzing community development problems and in developing solutions; provides technical, quasi-legal and public relations advice; reviews and provides analyses and/or advisory opinions on land use programs submitted for technical review, such as those involving drafting land use regulations and comprehensive plans; provides assistance and advice to planning professionals on land use regulatory matters; prepares program reports; and prepares responses to agency management inquiries on community planning and land use regulations and general local government issues.

LAND USE TRAINING SPECIALIST 2: prepares and conducts the Local Planning and Zoning Training and Advisory Program for municipal officials and community residents; initiates and maintains cooperative advisory and training efforts with county, regional or Statewide organizations; prepares training program presentations, support materials and technical publications; serves as the principle contact for local government on land use training, planning and zoning issues; provides assistance and advice to other planning professionals, committees, State and local government commissions in land use regulatory matters; prepares responses to agency management inquiries on community planning and land use regulations and general local government issues; conducts assessments and tracks citizens attitudes about consolidations, dissolutions, and shared services; assesses the effectiveness of local government efficiency grants and technical assistance; maintains a database of Inter-municipal Agreements for sharing and consolidating services; administers programs to assist local governments to identify savings opportunities; advises changes to State laws to reduce the cost of local government; performs the full range of supervisory duties, including performance evaluations, leave request approvals, etc.; conducts special studies or analyses as assigned; prepares program reports; assists with various administrative functions and performs the same duties as a Land Use Training Specialist 1.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

LAND USE TRAINING SPECIALIST 1

Open Competitive: bachelors degree in urban, regional, or environmental planning; public policy; public administration; or law and two years of qualifying experience*; or a Masters Degree in urban, regional, or environmental planning; public policy; public administration; or law and one year of qualifying experience*; or a bachelors degree in any field and three years of qualifying experience*.

LAND USE TRAINING SPECIALIST 2

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Land Use Training Specialist 1.

Open Competitive: bachelors degree in urban, regional or environmental planning; public policy; public administration; or law and three years of qualifying experience*; or a masters degree in urban, regional or environmental planning; public policy; public administration; or law and two years of qualifying experience*; or a bachelors in any field and three years of qualifying  experience*.

*Qualifying Experience: Professional experience where your primary responsibilities involve performing land use planning, urban planning, regional planning, or environmental planning; OR involve providing technical assistance and/or training to representatives of local governments in the areas of land use, urban planning, regional planning, or environmental planning. For Land Use Training Specialist 2, one year of the qualifying experience must include the supervision of professional staff.

Revised:  1/16

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for the current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination