Salary: $76,585.60 - $114,899.20 Annually
Location : City Hall, 211 W Aspen Ave, Flagstaff, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time; Exempt; Benefit Eligible
Job Number: 161-26
Division: Planning and Development Services
Section: Planning and Development
Opening Date: 09/04/2026
Closing Date: 9/27/2026 10:00 PM Arizona
Work Week: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and some weekends and evenings as needed.
Post-offer Requirements: Background

MVR
Budgeted Min: $76,585.60
Budgeted Max: $95,742.40

Description
The City of Flagstaff is seeking a Senior Planner to lead the design, development, and implementation of neighborhood plans that shape how our rapidly growing community evolves. In this role, you'll serve as the primary liaison to neighborhood associations, drive public outreach and community design initiatives, and craft plans and design guidelines that reflect the unique character of Flagstaff's neighborhoods. You'll also play a key role in heritage preservation, zoning code development, and creating maps and illustrations that bring neighborhood plans to life. If you're a creative problem-solver who wants to combine technical planning expertise with genuine community engagement, this is your opportunity to leave a lasting mark on Flagstaff's neighborhoods.

Examples of the Work Performed
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.
• Serves as Planning and Development Services liaison to neighborhood associations. May provide staff assistance to Heritage Preservation Commission.
• Drives to neighborhood meetings and transports required materials, supplies, and equipment to and from meeting locations.
• Serves both as a catalyst and as a leader in identifying neighborhood planning needs, and in developing, implementing, and maintaining plans and programs to meet those needs.
• May assist with heritage preservation activities for the City of Flagstaff, including updates to plans, programs, policies, and codes with various departments within the City and within the Planning and Development Services Section.
• Performs current and professional level mid-range planning functions associated with neighborhood plans and community design in a developing area including project management, GIS and data management, provides recommendations and comments for development applications, public education, and outreach.
• Develops plans and design guidelines for neighborhoods and other areas.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, initiative, and problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to see the big picture, understand the council/community needs, and have an in-depth understanding of complex issues and the ramifications of the decisions they make.
• Participation in the development of neighborhood revitalization strategies.
• Initiates, designs, schedules, and conducts public meetings and online public involvement, and generates citizen involvement in community planning and community design issues.
• Actively participates in the research, development and writing of the City's policies and Codes, including the Zoning Code.
• Prepares and presents oral and written staff reports to the City Council, various citizen Commissions, the City Manager, and Divisions.
• Leads and participates in agency, commission, staff, and community meetings relating to neighborhood plans and related design issues.
• Provides staff training on neighborhood plans and plan implementation.
• Works with the Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Manager to ensure the compliance with the adopted Regional Plan.
• Reviews development applications throughout the City, including providing interpretations for neighborhood plan compliance for both internal and external clients.
• Assists the Zoning Code Manager with the creation of regulations regarding architectural guidelines and character district overlays including graphic illustration.
• Manages the creation of maps and illustrations for neighborhood plans.
• Other duties as assigned.

To review the full job description for this position, please click the following link:
Qualifications
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree in planning, urban planning, urban design, or other related field that provides appropriate planning background.
• Three (3) years of experience in neighborhood planning.
• A valid driver's license.
• Any combination of relevant education and relevant experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. Minimum requirements such as a driver's license may not be substituted and are required at time of hire.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Master's degree in planning, urban planning, urban design, or other related field that provides appropriate planning background.
• Experience in cultural resource management and historic preservation planning.
• Basic skills related to the use of GIS planning and systems.
• Basic AutoCAD or Sketch Up usage skills.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess, or obtain upon employment, a valid Arizona driver's license.
• Current American Institute of Certified Planners certification or ability to obtain certification/license within one year.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity.

Supplemental Information
CURRENT COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Our total compensation package includes best-in-class benefits and an annual salary of $76,585.60 - $114,899.20, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience. Plus:

• Arizona State Retirement System with 100% Match
• Employees are members of Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) with a mandatory contribution rate of approximately 12%
• Deferred Compensation Options
• Up to 4% Annual Pay for Performance Increase
• Group Insurance including Health, Dental and Vision coverage
• Flexible & Health Savings Accounts
• 13 Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Leave, Paid Parental Leave, Bereavement, Jury Duty
• Life Insurance, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability and Voluntary Life Insurance
• First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
• Qualified Public Student Loan Forgiveness Employer
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Clinic, Telehealth, Wellness Program & Incentives
• Tobacco Cessation Program
• Employer Assistance Program
• Recognition including Workiversary, Wonderful Outstanding Worker (WOW), On-the-Spot, 7k Award, and City Manager's Excellence Awards
• Employee Discounts: Mountain Line Bus Eco Pass, Aquaplex, and Recreation Centers

Please note that Compensation and Benefits are subject to change based on future policy change, budgetary impact, and Council changes.

01

What is your highest level of education in planning, urban planning, urban design, or other related field that provides appropriate planning background?

• High school diploma or GED
• Associate's degree or 60 college credits
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher
• I do not have a degree in any of the fields listed or in a related field.

02

How many years of professional experience in neighborhood planning do you have?

• None
• Zero to less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven or more years

03

Do you currently hold an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, or do you have the ability to obtain AICP certification within one year of appointment?

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of professional experience do you have in neighborhood planning?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1-2 years
• 2-3 years
• 3-4 years
• 5 or more years

05

Select all areas of neighborhood planning in which you have professional experience:

• Neighborhood plans or small-area plans
• Community engagement and public outreach
• Land use planning
• Zoning or development regulations
• Community needs assessments
• Data collection and analysis
• Demographic or socioeconomic analysis
• Public meetings, workshops, or presentations
• Coordination with community organizations or neighborhood groups
• Implementation of neighborhood plans
• Monitoring or evaluating neighborhood plan outcomes
• Other related neighborhood planning activities

06

This position is posted with the full salary range indicating future potential earnings; however, the actual hiring salary for this position is dependent upon relevant experience and qualifications above minimum requirements and position funding. This position is budgeted for the following range: $76,585.60 - $95,742.40. Are you okay with that pay range?

• Yes
• No

Required Question