City Planner / Planning Department

City of Gainesville; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Gainesville is seeking a professional planner to oversee land use and zoning to support organized community development. This role involves reviewing applications, preparing planning studies, and ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Applicants should have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, with a Master’s preferred, and two years of municipal experience. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning or related field is required.
• A Master’s degree in Planning is preferred.
• Two or more years of professional planning experience in a municipal setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administers and applies the City’s zoning ordinance and land development codes.
• Reviews and processes zoning and development applications.
• Coordinates planning research and analysis related to land use and growth management.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Problem-solving skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning

Master’s Degree in Planning (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Planning-related software

GIS (familiarity preferred)

Job description

Performs professional planning work related to land use, zoning, comprehensive planning and community development. The position supports the orderly growth and development of the City and involves reviewing development applications, preparing planning studies and reports, coordinating with other departments and agencies, and providing recommendations to appointed boards, commissions and the City Council.

Essential Functions

• Administers and applies the City’s zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, and land development codes adopted under the City’s home‑rule authority and the Texas Local Government Code.
• Reviews and processes zoning, site plan, subdivision, variance, and special use permit applications for compliance with city ordinances and state laws.
• Provides professional planning recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Building and Standards Commission, Board of Appeals, City Council, and other boards as assigned.
• Responsible for the preparation, implementation, and updates of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, and related planning documents.
• Responsible for reporting and communication of progress on the City’s Guiding Gainesville 2040 plans, the City’s Strategic Plan and annual goals.
• Conducts planning research and analysis related to land use, growth management, demographics, transportation, housing, and economic development initiatives.
• Prepares staff reports, presentations, ordinances, and resolutions related to planning matters.
• Coordinates with Public Works, Community Development and other departments on development projects.
• Coordinates engineering review for plats, site plans, and development applications in conjunction with planning, public works, utilities, fire, and building inspections.
• Prepares and reviews engineering reports, cost estimates, bid documents, and construction contracts.
• Responds to inquiries from developers, property owners, citizens, and other stakeholders regarding zoning and land development regulations.
• Participates in public meetings, workshops, and hearings; presents findings and recommendations clearly and professionally.
• Maintains accurate records and documentation related to planning actions and activities, and ensures consistency with adopted policies and regulations.
• Ensures proper public notice and procedural compliance as required by the Texas Open Meetings Act and applicable notice provisions of the Local Government Code; records and files related to planning activities.
• Assist with special projects, ordinance updates, grant applications, and long‑range planning initiatives as assigned.

Additional Duties

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of urban and regional planning.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations related to zoning, subdivision and land development regulations, including Texas Local Government Code, particularly chapters relating to zoning, subdivisions, and comprehensive plans.
• Municipal planning principles and best practices applicable to Texas cities.
• Letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Ordinance and resolution preparation.

Skills

• Strong analytical, research, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and planning‑related software; familiarity with GIS is preferred.

Ability to

• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the City Manager, department heads, elected and appointed officials, developers, consultants, and the general public (strong interpersonal skills).
• Communicate professionally and effectively in both written and oral forms and prepare clear, concise staff reports and recommendations for boards, commissions and elected officials.
• Maintain good public relations while resolving disputes with developers, contractors, permittees, and the general public regarding compliance requirements of City codes and ordinances.
• Attend all meetings of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Board of Appeals, and Building and Standards Commission, and other City boards as required.
• Interpret and apply ordinances, site plans, plats, construction drawings, and legal descriptions.
• Manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Attend evening meetings and public hearings as needed.

Experience, Education and Training Guidelines

• Any combination of experience, education and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to acquire these qualifications would include:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Public Administration, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree in Planning or a related field is preferred.
• Two (2) or more years of professional planning experience in a municipal or governmental setting is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred, or the ability to obtain it within a specified timeframe.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Regularly required to stand and walk.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance.
• Occasionally must lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Primarily office work with occasional field inspections.
• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.