Principal Planner

Job Description

Full Salary Range: $97,919 - $ 141,982 annually

Anticipated Hiring Range: $97,919 - $117,673 annually

Job Summary

The Principal Planner provides leadership in the day-to-day operations of the Development Review team or the Long-Range/Historic Preservation/Neighborhood Resources team of the Community Development Department's Planning Division, reporting to the Planning Manager. The position leads the Planning Division's Development Review functions or Long-Range functions and may supervise one or two junior staff members and/or interns assigned to those functions. In the absence of the Planning Manager, the Principal Planner assumes their responsibilities, including supervision of all other Planning staff members. The successful incumbent will be an experienced planner with excellent writing and organization skills, public outreach, and analytical skills.

Experience, Education, and Skills

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree in Planning or directly related field.
• Six (6) years of community development / planning experience.
• AICP certification or ability to obtain in one (1) year.

OR

• Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job,

AND

• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Preferred

• Seven (7) years of community development / planning experience.
• One (1) year of previous supervisory experience. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• ArcGIS or ArcGIS Urban experience.
• Urban Design experience.
• Specialized expertise in community engagement, project management, process improvement, digital engagement, or graphic communication.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of business operations, Colorado municipal structures, and political environments.
• Knowledge of customer service principles, including needs assessment, de-escalation, and service recovery.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey information verbally and in writing to diverse audiences.
• Interpersonal and collaboration skills to work effectively with internal teams, external partners, and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office and the ability to learn new software and systems.
• Organizational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage competing responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently using sound judgment and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Professionalism, including a strong work ethic, initiative, confidentiality, and positive problem-solving attitude.
• Analytical and research skills to interpret complex data, evaluate trends, and support evidence-based decisions.
• Critical thinking skills to identify problems, assess options, and determine logical, effective solutions.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to handle difficult interactions with diplomacy and professionalism.
• Conflict management skills to mediate disagreements, reach consensus, and maintain cooperation.
• Leadership and influence skills to guide others and promote alignment on goals and actions.

Travel

Category A-Standard Local Travel: This position requires occasional local travel within the County. Employees may be expected to walk or drive short distances to attend meetings, trainings, or perform work at other city buildings or partner sites.

Essential Functions

• Provides day-to-day leadership and project management support for planning initiatives and staff.
• Manages complex, high-profile, or sensitive planning projects; sets priorities, schedules, and allocates resources.
• Prepares for and presents at Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, City Council, and community meetings.
• Responds to citizen and applicant inquiries; explains complex procedures, regulations, and policy issues.
• Negotiates with applicants to resolve land use concerns and supports collaborative solutions.
• Reviews and processes land use and zoning applications, including conducting site inspections.
• Manages planning case files, project documentation, and research for reports and special projects.
• Leads updates to the Comprehensive Plan, neighborhood plans, and other long-range planning documents.
• Develops revisions to the Development Code to align with current development trends.
• Provides planning-related reports such as the Growth and Development Report and contributes to code amendments and strategic annexation efforts.
• Assists the Planning Manager in managing the development review process and participating in the Administrative Review Team (ART).
• May lead or supervise assigned staff, interns, or project teams; assumes Planning Manager duties in their absence.
• Coordinates planning efforts with other City departments, outside agencies, and stakeholders.
• Meets with developers and community members to address development-related issues, negotiate development terms, and maintain working relationships.
• Serves as planner on-call and participates in City-wide initiatives as assigned.
• Manages specific projects and tasks delegated by the Planning Manager.
• Updates standard operating procedures and provides staff with process guidance and training.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Organize and delegate assignments to team members; Hiring, training, motivating and coaching employees; Evaluate employee performance and goal setting; Hold employees accountable for assigned task and goals; Provide timely and constructive feedback and training opportunities; Provide training opportunities with a focus on employee development; Resolve conflicts and complaints; Analyzing information and processes and develop more effective or efficient processes; Establishing and achieving business and financial objectives; Ensure compliance with safety procedures

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work Environment

• Subject to driving City vehicle in all weather conditions.
• May be asked to drive personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Subject to working alone, with groups, and/or attends meetings.
• May be required to conduct business in alternate locations within City buildings or field sites; sometimes in formal settings.
• May be required to work extended hours in the evening, holidays, or weekends.
• May have frequent interruptions and be required to manage competing priorities with inflexible deadlines.
• May have frequent contact with the public: in person, via email / telephone, sometimes facing adverse or confrontational situations with internal / external customers.
• The environment is safe to have minimal hazards that are typically found in a general office environment where there is rarely little or no exposure to injury or accident.
• Communication skills enough to hear and convey information to/from the public via telephone and in person.
• Operate standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.

Physical Requirements

• Vision enough to interpret computer screens and documents to assist the public and complete work assignments; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Manual dexterity enough to accurately input, retrieve and verify work assignments; employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Duties may occasionally require light to moderate physical effort that includes stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling; frequent standing or walking; frequently lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds; maintaining arms and hands in the same position for repetitive tasks and frequently working with light objects and light hand tools.
• Extensive work is performed on a computer with repetitive data entry; work is primarily performed at a desk.