Senior Planner- Current & Long- Range Planning

Job Description

Job Description : n nSalary : $74,378-$92,946 This position will start after January 1, 2025. INTRODUCTION TO PLANNING DIVISION At the City of Lone Tree, we lead the way with continuous improvement, collaborative partnerships, and exemplary service.

Our Six Big Ideas are demonstrated by our commitment to do things the best way- not just the expected way, our ability to work together using all areas of expertise to achieve a common goal, and our commitment to fulfilling the needs of our community through thoughtful interactions.

Our team members strive to serve with integrity, to respect and appreciate individual differences, and to work effectively with all people and their diverse backgrounds.

We achieve organizational goals through inclusive problem solving, planning, and decision-making. Lone Tree prides itself on a system of perfecting planning through the process;

this means we apply a flexible and collaborative development review process when City regulations allow, and when such an approach will result in a better project for the community.

Our goal is to develop plans that are resilient but flexible, and that guide Lone Tree toward a sustainable and inclusive future.

Big-picture, outside-the-box thinkers thrive in this environment and find value in bringing new ideas to the table. The Lone Tree Planning Division functions as a dynamic team;

we work closely together to accomplish objectives and undertake projects large and small. Successful team members possess excellent organizational and oral and written communication skills, as well as the ability to proactively problem-solve, redirect priorities, and participate in process improvement.

We foster a fun, supportive environment that enables people to thrive professionally and personally. We work hard, we play hard, and above all else, we enjoy the support of a leadership team focused on employee health and providing a work-life balance.

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF POSITION : Under the direction of the Planning Manager, this position is responsible for a diverse range of planning projects and activities to support current and long-range planning objectives.

This position communicates with a variety of internal and external customers, prepares professional reports, and provides presentations to community organizations and elected officials.

This position requires a deep understanding of the principles and practices of local government and current and long-range planning and development processes and functions at an advanced level within the profession.

This position works directly with the Principal Planner (the supervisor of the Current Planning team) and the Senior Long-Range Planner to achieve Planning Division objectives;

depending on the current project workloads of the two teams, the focus of this position’s work may vary between current and long-range planning.

The ideal candidate will understand both current and long-range planning functions and will enjoy applying innovative ideas and progressive concepts to manage development review projects and to address complex long-range planning issues.

This position makes recommendations for action on land use matters to the Planning Commission and City Council and is responsible for overseeing a wide variety of current and long-range planning services in fulfillment of the City’s vision and goals.

This position will manage complex projects, with substantial, independent, and direct influence on each project. The ideal candidate will be innovative, collaborative, possess long-range and technical planning competencies, have the ability to evaluate and apply current planning objectives within the context of long-range planning goals, and be capable of collecting and analyzing data and master plans to inform long-range planning decisions.

This job might be for you if : You have the desire and capacity to help build more livable places. You have passion, skills and experience that you want to apply towards building more resilient communities.

You are a community development nerd. Do you find yourself taking pictures of public spaces or mixed-use projects when you travel?

Does a vacant storefront set you daydreaming? Do you have a cat named Jane (Jacobs)? Does conducting a market analysis sound exciting?

Does your heart pound for equitable engagement? You totally geek out on research and analysis. You love to find and communicate the story behind the data.

You love to make things beautiful. You have skills and appetite to make our maps and presentations eye-catching and easy to understand through graphics and crisp design.

Collaboration is your jam. You enjoy working closely with a tight-knit team. You are comfortable playing a support role on some projects while collaborating as a leader or manager on others.

You want to bring people together. You love community engagement and get excited thinking about ways to get more people meaningfully involved in shaping the future of their community.

You have an eye for detail and the customer service skills required to guide developers in refining project design to achieve the community’s vision.

You have project management chops. You are organized, love checking boxes off your to-do list, and are excited by complex projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : The following essential job functions and examples of duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive.

Duties may be modified, added or deleted at the discretion of Planning Manager. Serves as project lead on land development applications, including site improvement plans, re-zonings, subdivisions, special use permits, variances and other land use entitlements by acting as the applicant's main point of contact and identifying and facilitating discussion about any development conflicts and issues.

Ensures smooth and efficient processing of applications through effective communication, negotiation and facilitation. Conducts referrals to internal and external agencies, prepares staff reports graphic exhibits and presents findings and recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council.

Ensures proper follow-up of all approval criteria, conditions, plans, and inspections and coordinates resolutions, if needed, to achieve project compliance.

Reviews and analyzes major development projects for conformance with state and local laws and regulations, and with urban design standards and guidelines.

Provides interpretations of the Comprehensive plan, Zoning and Subdivision codes, and other land use and related laws, codes, regulations and ordinances to the public, developers and other interested parties.

Analyzes land use and development data and issues pertaining to physical space and the built environment, environmental quality, hazard mitigation, transportation, cultural resources, economic and community development, housing, community facilities and services, and capital projects.

Prepares development impact reports and supports the Senior Long-Range Planner in conducting economic, demographic, housing, and land use-related studies, projects, analyses, and forecasts, and in maintaining empirical databases and growth projection systems to support land use and other planning activities.

Conducts research and / or special studies as directed by the Community Development Director or Planning Manager, or as issues require.

Reviews local ordinances for consistency with state and federal law and initiates changes to ensure regulatory conformance.

Analyzes proposed, existing, and new local, state, and federal legislation and makes recommendations for implementation or other action, as necessary.

Maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of planning; recommends incorporation of new developments as appropriate into the department’s programs and priorities.

Provides support to the Planning Manager as requested. Articulates and embodies the core values of the organization. Seeks to connect current work assignments to the goals and objectives of the organization.

Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state / local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.

Authors contributions to comprehensive and master plan document text; assists in the writing and editing of development codes and ordinances as directed.

CORE COMPETENCIES : The successful candidate will possess the following competencies : Time Management Uses time effectively and efficiently.

Can independently prioritize tasks; can attend to a broad range of activities; makes decisions in a timely fashion. Learning on the Fly / Technical Learning Picks up technical concepts quickly, comfortable learning new information and processes quickly.

Is comfortable asking questions. Perseverance Pursues tasks with curiosity, energy, and persistence. Organizational Agility Comfortable learning the processes necessary to complete tasks;

knows how to organize tasks and people to get things done. Uses interpersonal skills and relationships to work through available processes and resources, using both informal and formal channels to achieve results.

Patience Is tolerant and sensitive with people and processes. Teamwork / Working Independently Is comfortable working in teams as well as independently with limited supervision.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES TO SUPPORT SUCCESS : Interpersonal and Technical Skills : Strong interpersonal, oral and verbal skills.

Must have the ability to interact effectively with individuals of varying cultural, economic, professional and educational backgrounds.

Demonstrated personal effectiveness, professionalism, integrity and credibility, thoroughness, flexibility, and collaboration skills.

Must have outstanding presentation and public speaking skills including the ability to present information concisely at public meetings.

Precision and attention to minute details when analyzing data, and when reviewing master plans, development proposals, maps and reports.

Excellent writing skills : the ability to prepare clear, concise, and complete technical documents, reports, correspondence, and other written materials using proper spelling, grammar, and style.

Critical and creative thinking skills with a focus on systems thinking : the ability to assess complex planning issues and problems, analyze data, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective courses of action regarding zoning policies, land use ordinances, urban design, and community planning.

Knowledge of : Objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, information services, and trends in the field of local government planning.

Land use, urban design, demographic, environmental, and social / economic concepts, and principles as applied to local government planning.

Working knowledge of GIS and / or graphic programs such as SketchUp.Research, mapping, and data collection techniques.Terminology, symbols, methods, and techniques used in planning, urban design, site plans and plats.

Purposes, roles, and authorities of councils, commissions, and others involved in the planning process.Requires solid knowledge of the federal, state, and local regulations related to planning.

Citizen involvement principles and techniques. Ability to : Manage project stakeholders, deliverables, and deadlines. Prepare, revise, and evaluate technical land use reports and plans.

Coordinate and participate in major projects including the collection and analysis of data, and preparation of reports and recommendations pertaining to the planning process.

Interpret and apply laws, policies, procedures, regulations, specifications, site and building plans, environmental impact reports, data, and maps to development proposals.

Ability to negotiate solutions among groups with diverse and conflicting needs. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the general supervision of the Planning Manager.

SUPERVISION EXCERCISED Provides daily technical assistance and general oversight to other planners on staff. Supervises part-time and / or temporary employees, and / or volunteers or interns, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS Education / Experience Any combination of education and experience, which demonstrates the candidate possesses the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the Senior Planner’s essential duties and responsibilities is qualifying.

Common ways to demonstrate such capabilities include : Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Planning, Community Development, Urban and Regional Design, Public Administration, or a closely related field, AND a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in local government or private sector planning.

Direct experience in urban planning and / or long-range planning strongly desired. A master’s degree in Planning or Community Development is preferred and may substitute for two (2) years of work experience.

Possession of an Associate’s degree in Geography, Geographic Information Systems, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field, AND ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in local government or private sector planning may substitute for a Bachelor’s degree.

American Institute of Certified Planners Certification (AICP) strongly preferred. Equipment Used, Work Environment and Physical Activities : Driving : Must be physically capable of operating motor vehicles safely in the normal course of assignments.

Office equipment : Daily use of a copier, scanner, and printer. Computer equipment and software : Daily use of a personal computer, MS Office software, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and virtual meeting and presentation software.

Experience with Esri GIS software platforms (either online or desktop) strongly desired. Experience with Smartsheet, Bluebeam and Accella preferred.

Physical activities : Primarily sitting, standing, and walking. May bend, stoop, reach, climb, carry, and lift for varying periods.

Requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand-eye movement. Field work includes walking in construction sites as well as developed and undeveloped sites.

Requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand-eye movement.Lifting : May involve lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. for short periods of time.

Vision and hearing : Must have visual acuity to see and read paper and electronic documents; must be able to answer telephones, communicate conversation and respond to verbal inquiries.

Exposure to environmental conditions : Work is mainly in an office setting, but some outside fieldwork is required. Position Type and Expected Hours of Work This is an exempt, full-time position.

The City of Lone Tree’s business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 : 00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Actual work schedule will be determined upon hire and will require availability to work evenings and weekends.

Flextime and hybrid remote work schedules are offered for employees at the discretion of managers, consistent with