2.0. SR 05-10-1993
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TO:
MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
River
FROM:
PAT KLAERS, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: MAY 6, 1993
SUBJECT: CITY PLANNER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Attached for your review are the questions that staff used
during the 5/6/93 City Planner interviews. Also attached are
the applications of the two finalists that will be before the
City Council. Finally attached for your review, is a list of
issues and topics that cannot be discussed during
interviews. This list is provided by the Finance Director.
The Council should feel free to ask any questions they desire
including the questions on the attached sheet that were used
for the 5/6/93 interviews, but please avoid topics on the
"don't ask list." The interviews are to begin at about 6:00
p.m. on Monday, 5/10. Steven Ach will be first, followed by
Scott Hickok. Each interview should last 20-30 minutes.
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P.O. Box 490 · 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
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INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR CITY PLANNER POSITION
MAY, 1993
As we have sent information about the City to you, we will
assume you know a little bit about Elk River. Therefore,
instead of starting with some background about the position and
the City, we will wait and discuss the City and the position at
the end of the interview.
GENERAL - Introduction
1. To begin the interview, we would like to get to know you a
little better. In this regard, can you give us some
information on your background and provide us with a
"verbal resume."
2. Tell us what you enjoy most and least about the planning
profession.
3.
Tell us about your best professional accomplishment in
the planning field.
...Also, tell us about your worst professional failure
in the planning field.
4. Explain to us what you think are your best professional
strenqths in the planning profession.
...Also, tell us what you think are your weaknesses in
the planning profession and how you hope to improve on
these weaknesses?
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SPECIFIC PLANNING EXPERIENCE
5.
What planning recommendations or decisions are the most
difficult for you to make?
6. Tell us about a planning project or program that you have
undertaken that shows "initiative" instead of simply
following orders or directions from your supervisor.
7. What are your typical duties and work assignments in your
current position?
8.
What are your expectations
work as a City Planner? What
with the PC?
of Planninq Commissioners in
interaction do you expect
9.
What is your philosophy regarding comprehensive plans?
...(i.e. is a comprehensive plan a general guide or is
every detail of the plan to be exactly followed)?
10. What procedures would you follow or approach would you
take in updating a City comprehensive plan?
11. How would you respond to an applicant who demands to go to
the Planning Commission or City Council with a request
that you feel is assured to be denied?
...(i.e. a rezoning request, variance request, or
subdivision request).
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12. What is your approach and philosophy in dealing with
development proposals?
...(i.e. Do you respond to an applicant's request and try
to help the applicant or developer accomplish their goals
and desires or do you provide design input and
recommendation and offer constructive criticisms on the
proposal in order to make the request relate more
appropriately to the City's plans and goals?
...00 you believe that City development
be too strict or difficult on developers?
requirements can
Give examples.
13.
What is your philosophy about:
City ordinances, 2.) planned unit
rezonings?
1.) variances from the
developments, and 3.)
14. Would you rather actually do a planning work assignment or
would you rather supervise the job getting done?
15. Give us some background on your experience in coordinating
development plans with park and recreation plans...How
should the City Planner interact with the Park and
Recreation Commission and the implementation of the Master
Park Plan?
16. Provide us with some information on your experiences in
dealing with neiqhborhood citizen qroups.
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Additional Questions before last page if time allows.
17. Describe your planning management style.
18.
19.
Give us an example of a
have experienced in your
have handled the situation.
stressful situation that you
work as a planner and how you
How to do you "feel" about
industrial developers and
requirements?
residential, commercial, and
the need for City development
...00 you believe that the
money; or has the best
is out to help improve the
base?
developer is only out to make
interest of the City in mind and
community emploYment and tax
20. What is your philosophy about: I.} Conditional Use
Permits, 2.} Home Occupations?
-try to
Ad<
When do you think is appropriate to get other departments
involved in a development and at what point do you bring
them into the review process?
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GENERAL - Conclusion
22. Tell us why the City of Elk River should hire you for this
position.
...What qualification or personality trait do you have
that makes you the best candidate for the City?
23. Tell us why you want this Elk River City Planner position
and how long you think you would stay with the City.
24. Tell us about your long term and short term career
objectives.
25. Do you have any questions of us regarding this position
for the City of Elk River?
**Discuss City of Elk River and City Planner Position**
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Do Not as applicants questions about the following:
- Age
- Religion
- National Origin
- Race
- Creed
- Marital Status
Do Not ask any questions which may indirectly solicit the
above information such as:
- What are your hobbies?
- What are you interests outside of work?
- Do you have kids?
- Do you plan to move to Elk River?
- Did you serve in any wars?
- When did you graduate from High School or College?
- Where were you born?