City Planning

CFS; Benton Harbor (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CFS in Southwest Michigan is seeking an experienced City Planner to lead and support comprehensive planning initiatives in a growing community. This onsite role emphasizes developing planning processes, policies, and collaboration with municipal leadership, developers, and residents.

The ideal candidate brings 8–10 years of progressive experience, including at least 5 years in direct planning, with strengths in transportation development, housing initiatives, land use, and community development.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of progressive professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of direct professional planning experience.
• Experience with transportation planning/development and housing initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of land use, zoning, development review, and municipal processes.
• Hands-on involvement in planning processes, not just admin work.
• Leadership, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or related field; advanced degree or certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage municipal planning initiatives, including land use, zoning, development review, comprehensive planning, and community development programs.
• Take a hands-on approach to planning processes and procedures, ensuring projects move from concept through review, approval, and implementation.
• Lead transportation planning and development initiatives, coordinating infrastructure needs and mobility improvements.
• Develop and support housing strategies addressing residential growth and redevelopment.
• Review development proposals, site plans, and zoning applications for compliance with regulations.
• Collaborate with city leadership, developers, engineers, consultants, residents, and organizations to advance planning objectives.
• Develop and present planning recommendations, reports, studies, and presentations to boards and leadership.
• Identify opportunities for economic development, redevelopment, and sustainable growth.
• Help establish and improve planning policies, procedures, standards, and long-term strategies.

Skills

Planning experience

Transportation planning

Housing initiatives

Land use planning

Municipal planning

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

Public presentations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Urban/City Planning

Job description

CITY PLANNER

Southwest Michigan | Fully Onsite

Salary: $80,000–$90,000

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced City Planner to lead and support comprehensive planning initiatives within a growing Southwest Michigan community. This position will play a hands-on role in developing and implementing planning processes, policies, and procedures while working closely with municipal leadership, developers, residents, regional partners, and other stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will bring 8–10 years of progressive professional experience, including at least 5 years of direct planning experience, with a strong background in transportation development, housing initiatives, land use, community development, and municipal planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage municipal planning initiatives, including land use, zoning, development review, comprehensive planning, and community development programs.
• Take a hands-on approach to planning processes and procedures, ensuring projects move efficiently from initial concept through review, approval, and implementation.
• Lead transportation planning and development initiatives, coordinating infrastructure needs, mobility improvements, development patterns, and regional transportation priorities.
• Develop and support housing strategies and initiatives addressing residential growth, housing availability, redevelopment, and long-term community needs.
• Review development proposals, site plans, zoning applications, subdivisions, and other land-use requests while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and municipal policies.
• Work closely with city leadership, elected officials, developers, engineers, consultants, residents, and community organizations to advance planning and development objectives.
• Develop and present planning recommendations, reports, studies, and presentations to municipal boards, commissions, and leadership.
• Identify opportunities for economic development, redevelopment, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable community growth.
• Help establish and improve planning policies, procedures, standards, and long-term strategies.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of progressive professional experience in municipal, community, regional, or urban planning.
• Minimum of 5 years of direct professional planning experience.
• Demonstrated experience with transportation planning/development and housing initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of land use planning, zoning, development review, comprehensive planning, and municipal processes.
• Proven ability to be hands-on and actively involved in planning processes and procedures, rather than functioning solely in an administrative capacity.
• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, City/Regional Planning, Public Administration, or a related field; advanced degree or professional planning certification is a plus.

What This Role Offers

This is an opportunity for an experienced planning professional to have a direct impact on the future growth and development of a Southwest Michigan community, with significant involvement in transportation, housing, infrastructure, and long-term community planning.