City Planner II or III

City of Louisville; Louisville (CO); On-site; USD 73,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Louisville is seeking a motivated City Planner II or Planner III (Senior Planner) to join a small team and work on a range of planning assignments in a community experiencing growth. The role emphasizes land use reviews, staff reports, and visual mapping to support decisions.

Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and experience with GIS/SketchUp and zoning regulations, with a salary range dependent on certification level and qualifications.

Qualifications

• This position requires knowledge of community planning, transportation planning, and urban design.
• Familiarity with subdivision and zoning regulations, land use law, and site development.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Reviews land use applications for residential, mixed-use, commercial, and industrial development.
• Reviews permit applications for zoning compliance and conditions.
• Develops graphics and maps for plans and decision-making using GIS/SketchUp/Adobe tools.
• Responds to inquiries regarding zoning, land use, and development processes.
• Prepares reports, correspondence, and memoranda.
• Coordinates land use actions with City departments and agencies.
• Prepares staff reports and presents to boards, commissions, and City Council.
• Creates application materials, checklists, and process improvements.

Skills

Community planning

Transportation planning

Urban design

Customer service

GIS mapping

SketchUp

Adobe Suite

Zoning and subdivision

Policy analysis

Public presentation

Project coordination

Education

Master’s degree in city or regional planning, architecture, environmental design, or closely related field

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

GIS mapping

SketchUp

Bluebeam

EnerGov

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

Job description

The City of Louisville is looking for a motivated and professional City Planner II or Planner III (Senior Planner)to join a small team and work on a range of assignments at an important and exciting time in the community’s history. Several infill development projects are underway that will create vibrant new places. The City recently updated its comprehensive plan and has several policy and regulatory projects planned or underway addressing topics including challenging infill development, housing affordability, and community design. This position offers a unique opportunity to grow your planning career in a community that highly values planning.

Specifically, this position performs professional municipal planning work, including research and analysis; reviewing developments for compliance with City ordinances and plans; writing staff reports and making presentations to the City Council and boards and commissions; creation of maps and graphics, and support or management of special projects like zoning code amendments and long-range policies.

The ideal candidate will provide exceptional customer service, have a positive attitude, be an effective communicator, and be willing to contribute to an innovative, collaborative, and supportive work environment.

Hiring and Salary Rangeby level (dependent on certification level and other qualifications):
Hiring Range:
Planner II: $72,529.60 to $85,217.60
Planner III: $87,755.20 to $103,126.40

Salary Range:
Planner II: $72,529.60 to $102,814.40
Planner III: $87,755.20 to $124,404.80

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Reviews and provides recommendations regarding land use applications for proposed residential, mixed-use, commercial, and industrial development in the City.
• Reviews various building permit applications for compliance with application zoning and subdivision ordinances and regulations of the City, including planned unit development and special review use terms and conditions.
• Develops graphics and maps for plan documents and to aid in decision-making processes. Experience with GIS mapping, SketchUp, and/or Adobe Suite is desirable, but not required.
• Responds in person, over the phone, and in writing to inquiries regarding zoning, land use, development standards and requirements, and development review process questions.
• Researches issues, prepares reports, correspondence, and memoranda.
• Assists in coordinating land use actions with City departments, special districts, and applicable federal, regional, state, and local agencies.
• Prepares staff reports and makes presentations to the City's boards and commissions and City Council.
• Creates application materials and checklists, and identifies and recommends process improvements.
• Provides research and recommends updates to sections of the Municipal Code.
• Participates in long-range planning projects and may serve as project manager.
• Manages consultants and consultant budgets on special projects.
• Assists with grant applications and administration.
• Conducts research to provide demographic information for current and long-range planning.
• Performs fieldwork and inspections related to approved development plans, building permits, and address zoning code enforcement issues.

ESSENTIAL SUPERVISORY DUTIES:

• None

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend evening meetings on a regular basis for City boards, commissions, and the City Council. The City offers flexible scheduling of work hours and comp time accrual in these instances.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• This position may be hired at the Planner II or Planner III (Senior) level, depending on qualifications, at the discretion of Human Resources and the Hiring Manager.

Planner II Level:

• Master’s degree in city or regional planning, architecture, environmental design, or a closely related field and 2–3years of professional experience (preferably in a municipal setting), or
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 3–4 years of professional experience (preferably in a municipal setting)

Planner III (Senior) Level:

• Master’s degree in city or regional planning, architecture, historic preservation, or a closely related field and 4+years of professional experience (preferably in a municipal setting), or
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 6+ years of professional experience (preferably in a municipal setting) and demonstrated ability to manage projects independently

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of community planning, transportation planning, and urban design.
• Familiarity with subdivision and zoning regulations, land use law, and site development principles.
• Must possess excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Skilled in the use of a personal computer and various job-related software programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with other software programs such as Bluebeam, EnerGov, Sketch-up, GIS, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign software applications is desirable, but not required.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and communicate complex processes and concepts in an easy-to-understand and accessible manner.
• Ability to maintain a professional and courteous demeanor in sometimes stressful circumstances.
• Ability to understand political constraints and objectives and adapt work when needed.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and change course when needed to meet City objectives.
• Ability to gather, compile, analyze, and present complex planning data.
• Ability to present recommendations, orally and in writing.
• Ability to explain complex issues in a understandable way to the general public, boards, commissions, and City Council.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize as needed.
• Ability to work cross departmentally and collaboratively with stakeholders.

LICENSE, REGISTRATION, OR CERTIFICATE:

• A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) desired, but not required.

OTHER NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS:

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB:

Minimal physical effort is typically found in office work. Ability to remain seated for extended periods while working at a computer; Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, data entry, and handling documents; Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via video conferencing; Occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching within the office environment; Ability to lift and/or move office materials and supplies up to 10–15 pounds and occasionally up to 35 pounds; Visual acuity sufficient to read documents, computer screens, and reports; Ability to work in a standard office environment with moderate noise levels. This position requires visiting job sites and is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. While on job sites, work is performed both indoors and outdoors, and may occur in all weather conditions, on uneven terrain.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work is primarily performed indoors in an office environment with some limited field work expected. Exposure to routine office noise and equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLASSIFICATION:

8810

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The City of Louisville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

The City of Louisville is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in the application and hiring process and during employment.

The Human Resources Director has been designated as the compliance coordinator for people with disabilities seeking employment and will provide reasonable accommodation for testing and employment to qualified applicants.