Planning: From Most Experienced to the New Kid on the Block

We often hear of planners working on various projects throughout Missoula County. They help the public in many ways, ranging from answering questions, identifying areas of concern, to granting permits and weighing many sides of an issue to present a recommendation for the Commissioners’ consideration. Those in the development business or with questions about their land get to know our planners quite well as they jointly navigate many processes together.  This position is one that requires a vast knowledge of not only our area – land, laws, permits, regulations – but also of institutional knowledge. The history of a parcel of property, and those who have owned or managed it, often comes into play. Knowing this background can be beneficial to a tenured planner but approaching a long-standing issue with a fresh perspective also has its strengths. Missoula County is fortunate to have planners who have worked in the department for more than 25 years. We also have a well-educated planner who just put on her planning hat less than four months ago. We spoke with Missoula County’s longest serving planner, Pat Keiley, and most recent addition, Christine Dascenzo, to learn more about their work and experiences. Enjoy!

Job title?

o   Pat: “Planner III.”

o  Christine: “Planner II.”

How long have you worked in this particular position?

o   Pat: “26 years.”

o   Christine: “4 months.”

Previous work experience?

o   Pat: “Worked for Boeing in Seattle immediately following college graduation. I only lasted six months before realizing that I wanted to return back to Missoula. I applied for an open planner position and have been here ever since.”

o   Christine: “Before coming on as a planner, I worked as the Parks and Trails Assistant. I started there in January, 2012. That role was a mix of administrative work with the Parks and Trails advisory board, billing, working with the matching grants program, noxious weed mitigation and day-to-day parks issues. Before that I interned with a labor union in New York City, worked in Detroit as the business manager for a labor union magazine – Labor Notes  and then moved to Phillipsburg where I worked for Project Vote Smart.”

Where did you grow up?

o   Pat: “Helena, Montana.”

o   Christine:  “Plymouth, Michigan. “    

Where did you go to college? What did you study?

o   Pat: “University of Montana where I studied Business and Public Administration. The program was much more broad then.”

o   Christine:” Michigan State; I majored in Political Science. I also have my masters in Geography from the University of Montana.”

How did you come to work at Missoula County?

o   Pat: “I knew I wanted to get back to Missoula after college and saw an ad in the paper for a planning position. I got the job and moved back.”

o   Christine: “I was studying geography at the University of Montana and saw that Parks and Trails was hiring a part-time position. I applied and got the job.”

How do you explain the work you do to people who are unfamiliar with your role?

o   Pat: “In general, I’m a problem solver. Specifically I help to answer questions at the information desk, I work with planning and zoning, building permits and floodplain regulations. I also review permits and process complaints and zoning violations.”

o   Christine: “It’s a mix of subdivisions, zoning, land-use questions at the County. After I get past subdivisions, people either ask more questions or the conversation stops there.”

What do you like best about being a planner?

o   Pat: “I like helping people problem solve and resolve their issues. They’re often facing a variety of different things and I like to work to help solve it.”

o   Christine: “I like helping figure out what exactly their question is. This can involve this history of their land and it seems like a big puzzle to always be solving.”

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

o   Pat: “Since I’ve started things are really going good. The amount of time that this job fills up in life is something that I’m always working through.”

o   Christine: “There are many different wants and needs in a given situation that I need to try and explain to those involved and others. That is challenging while also trying to keep health and safety as the top priority.”

What is most rewarding?

o   Pat: “Finding solutions.”

o   Christine: “Finding that one nugget of information that a land owner doesn’t know and showing folks new tools and technology that can help them in the work they’re doing. I also work with really dedicated people.”

What have you learned being a planner?

o   Pat: “I didn’t really know zoning or the subject matter when I first started. The job was much different then. I’ve learned how to communicate with others and I’m always learning that; whether it’s my presentation skills or getting along with coworkers. I had to grow. It’s all about being your own self while being a team player to be helpful with others and staff.”

o   Christine: “When I first started, I kept thinking that I should know more than I do. It’s one thing to conceptually know planning from your education but you need to be in the office to learn how to actually do it.”

 What do you see as being an advantage of being an experienced planner?

o    Pat: “I’ve grown a lot since I first started.”

o   Christine: “I wish I had knowledge of case studies.”

What do you see as being an advantage of being a beginning planner?

o   Pat: “I’m still learning computers and software. That’s second nature to Christine.”

o   Christine: “I am able to come into a long-standing issue without baggage and a fresh set of eyes.”

It’s the weekend or after hours. Where do we find you?

o   Pat: “I love going to Griz games – all the different sports. I also love exercising: hiking, jogging, walking in the Mount Jumbo and Rattlesnake areas.

o   Christine: “I always enjoy my bike ride home from work. My husband and I are avid Lady Griz basketball fans, as well. We like to travel and are going to Chile in September.”