City Planner

Layton City; Layton (UT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Layton City seeks a Senior Planning and Zoning Director to lead the planning and zoning division, directing daily operations and coordinating master planning efforts. The role oversees staff, prepares division budgets, and serves as a liaison to the Planning Commission and other city boards, guiding policy development and implementation.

The successful candidate will have a bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration or related field.
• Five years of responsible planning/related experience or an equivalent combination.
• Strong knowledge of local government planning, zoning and policy development.

Responsibilities

• Direct planning and zoning operations and supervise Planner I/II staff and Code Compliance Inspector.
• Prepare and manage division budgets and ensure alignment with city priorities.
• Coordinate with Planning Commission, other boards, and City Council on policy amendments.
• Educate the public through meetings and presentations; oversee master plan updates.

Skills

Diplomacy

Verbal communication

Written communication

Supervisory experience

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field

Job description

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of first‑line supervisory, professional and technical duties as needed to plan, organize, direct and coordinate the daily operation of the planning and zoning division. Oversees the development and implementation of comprehensive current and long range master planning.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Community Development Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Provides general supervision to Planner I and Planner II staff, and the Code Compliance Inspector.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Promotes and follows the City's mission statement, values and expectations.

Participates in the departmental decision making processes; provides recommendations for developing, implementing, evaluating and revising division policies – including General Plan and Zoning Ordinance amendments, practices, priorities, methods and procedures in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness of planning functions; serves as administrative advisor and liaison to the Planning Commission and other boards including but not limited to the Design Review Committee, Hearing Officer, etc.; provides City Council liaison support as needed; receives directives, implements options and strategies; coordinates personnel and resources as needed to accomplish projects and programs.

Oversees the preparation of public meeting agendas; participates in public meetings and hearings as needed to solicit public response and apprise of policy and project options; educates the public through media, reports, public meetings and presentations.

Prepares and submits recommended division budgets; monitors fiscal activity and coordinates with Community Development Director to assure conformity with established budget constraints.

Exercises supervision over division personnel; delegates staff assignments and monitors work quality, assures standards of performance; establishes performance plans, evaluates performance; recommends or initiates corrective action as needed; makes decisions and recommendations affecting employee retention and advancement; maintains time sheets, initiates and recommends various personnel actions such as recruitment, advancement, discipline and discharge; evaluate employee performance; hires and fires.

Maintains on‑going comprehensive planning processes and procedures; identifies alternatives for converting policy ideas into action plans affecting city development, expansion, transportation and related public programs.

Directs or conducts feasibility studies; prepares a variety of reports related to project progress; reviews and updates ordinances affecting planning, zoning, signage, land use, development, business licenses and related departmental areas; coordinates projects with other departments or governmental agencies; conducts public meetings to determine public policy preferences and establish policies and goals; reviews and amends city master plan based upon established goals and policies.

Identifies sources for alternative funding related to special projects; applies for grants, implements administrative processes as needed to comply with grant conditions; monitors grant compliance to assure effective working relationships with funding agencies.

Meets with public, developers, entrepreneurs, and contractors; discusses planning, zoning, and development issues; reviews and coordinates with the Zoning Administrator to interpret information in city ordinances pertaining to department responsibilities; reviews site plans, conditional use permits, re‑zoning applications, etc.; distributes plans to various city personnel for review and input.

Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

1. Graduation from college with a bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration or a closely related field; AND
2. Five (5) years of responsible experience performing above or related duties; OR
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of legal system and procedures affecting planning, zoning and related operations of the city; principles and practices related to local government planning and zoning, economics, sociology and community organization as applied to urban planning; planning and zoning and subdivision law, theory and application; the relationship between factors affecting urban planning policy, such as economic, political, sociological, legal, etc.; local government structure and operations, including the budgetary procedures and fiscal management; research methodology, statistical analysis and evaluation of research data; land use, zoning, federal, state, and local laws; interpersonal communication skills. Working knowledge of principles of supervision and work flow management.

Considerable Skill in the art of diplomacy and cooperative problem solving.

Ability to administer a comprehensive work program; interpret codes accurately and effectively; prepare and present budget estimates; enforce regulations with fairness, tact, and impartiality; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; plan and organize comprehensive research studies; prepare and present technical reports; establish and maintain effective relationship with co‑workers in the Planning and Zoning Division and other Divisions/Departments, other government entities, the public, and elected officials; perform advanced mathematical calculations; develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, subordinates, and the public.

Special Qualifications:

Awareness and understanding of evolving needs and trends for land use and transportation, including the following areas of emphasis: regional planning initiatives and how to contribute to and gain perspective from multi‑jurisdictional coordination processes; awareness and understanding of current best practices related to pedestrian‑friendly design for mixed‑use development, residential neighborhoods providing open space and housing variety, water‑wise landscaping, land use economics, and design approaches for effective moderate‑income housing implementation.

Work Environment:

Tasks require a variety of physical activities not generally involving muscular strain. Physical demands may occur in activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, etc. Talking, hearing and seeing required in the daily performance of job duties. Mental application utilizes memory for details, emotional stability and discriminating thinking and creative problem solving. Periodic travel required in course of performing portions of job functions.