Planner I / II

Overall Job Objective

What Success Looks Like In This Job

Perform professional and technical level work in the Development Review Division, and to provide information and assistance to developers, the business community, and the public on planning, zoning, land use, subdivision, and other planning and development related matters.

The Department will hire candidate at either Level I or Level II depending on qualifications and experience:
Planner I: $52,927.60 - $74,098.64 Annually
Planner II: $59,469.45 - $83,257.23 Annually Examples of Duties for Success

• Reviewing site development plans and building permit applications for conformance with adopted regulations and standards; writing staff reports and making presentations before the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, and the Board of Adjustment.
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting moderately complex development regulations and standards, as well as social, economic, and land use data.
• Conducting complex studies and needs assessments for the development of programs to address significant development issues.
• Managing independent special projects under supervision of the Development Review Manager.
• Conferring with and advising architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public regarding County land use regulations, development processes, and other planning and development policies and standards.
• Participating in coordinating County planning and development related activities with other departments and outside agencies; coordinating and facilitating pre-application meetings with affected County departments.
• Answering questions and providing information to the public; investigating complaints and recommending corrective action, as necessary, to resolve complaints concerning the County's planning function.
• Implementing and enforcing the County's Comprehensive Plan, zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, or other land use and development ordinances.
• Compiling information and making recommendations on special studies, and preparing planning reports, charts, and, maps.
• Assisting the general public in the preparation of plans and building permit applications and complaints.
• Providing input to cities within the County on projects proposed within the borders of the County.
• Performing other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications for Success

• Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles and practices of urban planning and development, basic site planning, and architectural design principles.
• Maintain knowledge of current literature, information sources, and research techniques in the fields of planning, zoning, and development.
• Learn and maintain knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations including applicable land use and land subdivision laws and regulations.
• Use modern office methods, practices, procedures and equipment, including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation, mapping, and database management.
• Maintain knowledge of current social, political, planning, and economic trends.
• Use principles and practices of urban planning and development, site planning, and architectural design.
• Learn laws underlying general plans, zoning, and land divisions.
• Learn applicable environmental laws and regulations.
• Learn about current literature, information sources, and research techniques in the field of urban planning.
• Learn to interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.
• Learn to analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Interpret planning and zoning programs and activities.
• Effectively administer a variety of land use and development programs and activities.
• Effectively present information at public hearings and meetings to represent and promote County plans.
• Identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, boards, and Commissioners.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Perform professional planning work under minimum supervision.
• Analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports.
• Research, develop, analyze, write, and submit reports, regulations, plans, and recommendations regarding a variety of planning topics.
• Enforce ordinances and regulations effectively and tactfully.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

More Qualifications for Success

Planner I:

• Experience:
  • One (1) year experience in Urban Planning or a closely related field.
  • Some urban and regional planning and development experience is desirable.
  • Prefer some post-academic experience with GIS.
• Education and Training:
  • A Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field.
  • A Master's Degree is preferred and may substitute for six (6) months of the required experience.
• License or Certificate: Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Colorado Driver's License.
• Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.

Special Requirements include the following essential duties, which require these physical abilities and work environment:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, squat, and stoop.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 45 pounds.
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions occurs on the job.
• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less).
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more).
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).
• Ability to adjust focus.

Planner II:

• Experience: Three (3) years of practical planning experience (with an AICP designation) OR four (4) years of practical planning experience (without an AICP designation.)
• Education and Training:
  • A Bachelors' Degree in Urban Planning or a related field is r?equired.
  • A Master's Degree in Urban Planning or a related field with is preferred and may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
  • An AICP certification is preferred.
• License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Colorado driver's license.
• Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.

Special requirements include the following essential duties, which require these physical abilities and work environment:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, squat, and stoop.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 45 pounds.
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions occurs on the job.
• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less).
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more).
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).
• Ability to adjust focus.