Community Development Principal Planner

Town of Frisco; Frisco (CO); On-site; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free car wash year-round

Free paddle sports

Boat rental (two hours) for employees

Free tubing passes at Frisco Adventure

Job summary

The Town of Frisco is seeking a Principal Planner to lead complex planning studies, manage staff, and guide long-range planning initiatives. This on-site, year-round role drives community development projects and collaborates with Town Council on key decisions.

Requirements include eight years in planning or related fields, strong English communication, and a Bachelor’s degree. The department emphasizes public outreach, budget oversight, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• This role requires eight or more years in community development or related field.
• Two or more years GIS experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication in English.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and manages complex planning studies, development applications to ensure conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and Code.
• Manages Planning and Technician staff, including performance evaluations and workflows.
• Prepares and presents information at Town Council, Planning Commission, and other meetings.
• Responds to public inquiries related to planning processes and building permits.
• Assigns and reviews work, advises on problems, and ensures accuracy.
• Prepares grants and conducts special projects.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in urban planning or related field

Tools

GIS software

Bluebeam software

Permit tracking software

Job description

The Principal Planner is a full-time, on-site, year-round exempt/salaried position which initiates and implements community development programs and services along with performing professional planning duties of high complexity and variety. The Principal Planner is a manager and provides guidance to the Planners and Technician providing actionable constructive feedback on deliverables and coaches staff through complex challenges. The Principal Planner is able to exercise independence and judgment, receiving general supervision from senior management. This position leads, and is significantly involved with larger, more complex current planning applications, master planning projects and other long-range planning or special projects as assigned. The Principal Planner may engage in negotiations on behalf of the Town regarding special projects, contracts and related project management. Projects assigned to a Principal Planner are typically more complex projects that demand creativity and may have significant public relations challenges.

Budgeted hiring wage range = $82,887.372 - $103,609.216

Full wage range* = Min: $82,887.372, Mid: $103,609.216, Max: $124,331.059

• wage offer based on specific job experience and education

Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Reviews and manages complex planning studies, development applications (zoning, PUDs, large development applications, subdivision plats, etc.) to determine conformance and appropriateness with regards to the Town's goals, Comprehensive Plan, and Code requirements. Assesses the compliance of proposals with applicable plans, regulations, ordinances, and policies, and prepares and presents professional staff reports to the Planning Commission and Town Council.
• Manage Planning and Technician Staff, including conducting performance evaluations, managing workflows, and resolving workplace conflicts to maintain productivity and workforce satisfaction.
• Prepares and presents information including PowerPoint presentations at Town Council, Planning Commission, or other meetings, workshops and events to explain land use options, projects, and programs. Creates printed and digital information materials; writes and produces letters, public notices, forms, and articles for Town newsletters.
• Responds to public inquiries via phone and e‑mail, and in‑person meetings relating to planning processes, proposed developments, code requirements and building permit application procedures.
• Assigns and reviews work, advises on problems/issues and reviews work for accuracy and completeness.
• Prepares grants. Conducts special projects and performs related work as assigned.
• Ability to function and make good decisions in the absence of a supervisor. Works under broad direction with minimal functional oversight. Informed guidance is available to achieve objectives.
• Assists the Community Development Director in managing the day‑to‑day operations of the Community Development Department and performing certain duties of the Director in his/her absence.
• Communicates in a professional, courteous and timely manner both verbally and written when dealing with Town of Frisco Employees, citizens, customers and vendors.
• Responsible for staff selection, training and performance management process.

Marginal Duties

• Develop detailed project plans, including scope of work and project budget, prepare RFQs / RFPs, administer consultant/contractor selection process, and oversee contract expenditures and compliance.
• Investigate and track citizen‑initiated zoning complaints, conduct field inspections to identify potential code violations, and facilitate compliance through follow‑up notices, correspondence, and case documentation.
• Prepares reports on town and department operations and activities, recommending improvements and modifications.
• Performs complex and diverse administrative, technical, analytical and professional work and administrative tasks including public assistance and customer service, data and budget management, and research related to housing.
• Works in regional program areas relating to climate change, natural/water resources planning, community development, hazard mitigation, etc.

Other Essential Responsibilities

• This position requires regular and reliable in‑person attendance at the designated worksite as an essential function of the job. As a public servant, physical presence is necessary to effectively perform essential duties, support operational needs, collaborate with team members, provide direct service to the public and internal stakeholders, utilize on‑site equipment and resources, and maintain effective communication, responsiveness, and accountability in serving the community.
• Adheres to Town of Frisco policies, mission, vision, values, competencies, standards, and regulations including but not limited to proper attire, safety procedures, and overall professionalism.
• Attends Town and departmental training and meetings as appropriate or assigned.
• Ability to function and make good decisions in the absence of a supervisor.
• Communicates with Town of Frisco employees, citizens, customers and vendors in a professional, courteous and timely manner both verbally and in writing.
• Performs other job duties/responsibilities as assigned by management.
• Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job, demonstrates accountability for work, and takes ownership in job performance.

Requirements

Education

• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in urban planning, urban design, natural resources planning, architecture, public administration or a closely related field preferred; or equivalent experience.

Computer Operations

• Required: Microsoft Office software
• Preferred: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software preferred
• Preferred: Bluebeam software
• Preferred: Permit Tracking Software experience

Licenses, Certifications or Accreditations

• Required: CPR/AED & First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain within the first 6 months or 1 month if seasonal/temporary position. Training provided by the Town.)
• Required: Colorado Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.
• Preferred: Member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

Previous Work Experience

• Required: At least eight (8) years prior experience in the field of community development or a closely related field. Including two (2) or more years of GIS experience preferred.

Previous Supervisory Experience

• Preferred: Minimum two years supervisory experience.

Language Ability

• Required: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

Decision Making Ability

• Required: Demonstrated ability to function independently and make sound and reasonable decisions in the absence of supervisory guidance.

Other

• Required: Ability to pass a background investigation.
• Required: Public speaking and effective writing skills.
• Preferred: Local, county, or applicable consulting planning work where the majority of work was with municipal clients.

Physical Demands

• The job require weight to be lifted or force to be exerted. Below states how much and how often.
• Up to 10 Pounds
• 2/3 OR MORE
• Standing
• 1/3 to 2/3
• Up to 25 Pounds
• UP TO 1/3
• Walking
• 1/3 to 2/3
• Up to 50 Pounds
• UP TO 1/3
• Sitting
• 2/3 OR MORE
• Up to 100 Pounds
• None
• Using hands to finger, hands to feel
• 2/3 OR MORE
• More than 100 Pounds
• None
• Reaching with hands and arms
• 2/3 OR MORE
• Climb or balance
• UP TO 1/3
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• UP TO 1/3
• Talk or hear
• 2/3 OR MORE
• Taste or smell
• None
• Indoor/Outdoor
• Indoor and outdoor with the ability to work in all weather conditions.

Equipment Used In Job

Shared Town vehicle pool, computer, phone, printer, copier, fax, scanner

VISION

Close Vision: Yes

Distance Vision: No

Color Vision: Yes

Peripheral Vision: No

Depth Perception: No

Ability to adjust focus: Yes

Additional Information

• Position Title: Principal Planner
• Department: Community Development
• Cost Center: 1119
• Employee Type: Year-round, Full-time
• Pay Type/FLSA: Exempt / Salary
• Pay Grade: Pay Grade 8
• Reports to: Community Development Director
• Frequent Internal Contacts: Town Manager, Human Resources, Community Development Staff
• Frequent External Contacts: Architects, Owner’s Representatives
• Number Of Employees Under Supervision And Titles: Planner I, Planner II, Community Development Technician
• Job Location: Onsite

Why work for the Town of Frisco as the Principal Planner?

Some amazing incentives are the convenience of a clean car year-round with a FREE car wash, free recycling, trash, and compost pick up. Summer incentives include free paddle sports, a free 2‑hour pontoon/fishing boat rental reservation (one per employee) and free boat rentals if not rented for the final rental of the day. Winter incentives include free tubing at the Frisco Adventure Park, free Nordic Center passes for employee and family, free Terrain Park pass, friends and family passes for tubing, Copper Mountain discounted season passes, Copper Mountain free daily lift ticket voucher program for employee and half off for dependents.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job. Other duties may be assigned.

The Town of Frisco is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.

Full-time Benefits: https://www.friscogov.com/departments/human-resources/

• Through UnitedHealthcare, UMR and HealthSCOPE Benefits creates and publishes the Machine-Readable Files on behalf of the Town of Frisco. To link to the Machine-Readable Files, please click on the URL provided: transparency-in-coverage.uhc.com

Incentives: https://www.friscogov.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/TOF-Benefits-and-Incentives-at-a-Glance.pdf