Principal Planner

Salary : $82,264.00 - $86,486.40 Annually
Location : Albuquerque, NM
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Transit
Division: TR-Planning
Opening Date: 10/13/2026
Closing Date: 11/3/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
Bargaining Unit: NU

Position Summary
Direct, coordinate, participate in, and review professional planning activities and operations for highly complex and high-impact planning projects within the assigned department; coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies, and the general public; and provide highly responsible and complex staff assistance to assigned higher-level management staff.

The Transit Department is in an exciting phase of renewal and growth, and the Principal Planner will play a critical role in leading upcoming projects and collaborating with other agencies. Upcoming projects requiring the Principal Planner's leadership include a complex joint development project with a private developer to build affordable housing alongside a major upgrade to our Uptown Transit Center, planning, designing, and building new park & ride facilities, developing plans for rehabilitating an entire 7-acre operations and maintenance facility, and reinvigorating the area around ABQ RIDE's multi-modal transit center in downtown Albuquerque.

The Principal Planner will regularly collaborate with the Mid-Region MPO, Bernalillo County, the City's Planning Department, and other local agencies on efforts ranging from long-range planning to participation in corridor studies to review of individual site development plans. These efforts will elevate public transit as a key component of increasing housing availability and affordability in transit corridors, strengthening equity and economic vitality, improving safe and accessible multi-modal facilities, striving toward the City's Vision Zero goals, and encouraging sustainable travel patterns.
Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
Essential and Supplemental Functions
SSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include, but are not limited to thefunctions listed below. Must be able to perform the essential functions of thejob with or without a reasonable accommodation.

1. Direct, coordinate, participate in and review the work plan for assigned planning projects; assigns work activities; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
2. Develop project work programs and supervise major planning projects; create and manage project teams.
3. Conduct special research on a variety of planning related issues; gather data for evaluating proposed planning projects; analyze data and recommend alternative development scenarios.
4. Write, negotiate and manage requests for proposals and consultant contracts; review proposed programs from other agencies; recommend modifications.
5. Assist in selecting, training, motivating and evaluating assigned project personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
6. Participate in the development of the City's long term planning goals and objectives as they relate to assigned projects; prepare planning recommendations for assigned projects to meet these goals and objectives.
7. Review major land and infrastructure development plans by outside agencies and recommend any necessary redesign for compliance with the City's long term planning goals and objectives.
8. Provide staff assistance and technical counsel to higher level management staff; participate on a variety of committees; prepare and present staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary.
9. Coordinate planning activities with those of other divisions and outside agencies and organizations.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Attend and participate in a variety of group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of planning.
2. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements
Education and experience directly related to the minimum requirements below may be interchangeable on a year for year basis.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban/regional planning, architectural design or a related field; and

Six (6) years of managerial planning experience; and

To include three (3) years supervisory experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Possession of a valid City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Working Conditions
Environmental:

Office environment; exposure to computer screens.

Physical:

Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time.
01

Do you possess a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or have the ability to obtain by date of hire (attach a copy of your Driver's License)?

• Yes
• No

02

Select the highest level of successfully completed related education as identified by the minimum requirements (if applicable, attach supporting degree or transcripts).

• No High School Diploma
• High School Diploma or GED
• Non/degree accredited- Some College
• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Juris Doctorate
• Doctorate

03

Select the number of years of work experience you possess which relates to the minimum requirements, if applicable, add verifiable time in a temporary upgrade status and/or volunteer experience when selecting number of years.

• No experience
• 1 to less than 6 months
• 6 to less than 12 months
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years to less than 8 years
• 8 years to less than 9 years
• 9 years to less than 10 years
• 10 years to less than 11 years
• 11 years to less than 12 years
• 12 years to less than 13 years
• 13 or more years

04

Do you possess the supervisory experience outlined in the minimum requirements? If you are a current or former City of Albuquerque employee and you have successfully completed the City of Albuquerque's Pre-Management Development Program (PMDP), please include two (2) additional years in your supervisory experience (attach certificate, if applicable).

• Yes
• No

Required Question