Community Planner

CFS; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

CFS in St. Joseph, Michigan is seeking an experienced Community Development Leader to guide planning initiatives, oversee building permits, and coordinate with regional agencies. This onsite role focuses on land use, infrastructure, and emergency management while supporting development planning and budgeting.

The position manages grant planning, land acquisition, and transportation programs, supervises interns, and helps shape policies for land use and natural resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a planning-related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 5+ years of related planning experience.
• Certified Planner professional certification.
• Experience with capital projects, grant management, implementation, and budgeting.
• Strong knowledge of planning principles, land use, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and GIS/ArcGIS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead community, land-use, infrastructure, and development planning initiatives.
• Manage building permit processes, inspection compliance, and planning documentation.
• Develop and maintain long-term land acquisition and development plans.
• Manage transportation programs, including grant planning and reporting.
• Research and assist with securing public and private funding for community projects.
• Coordinate with GIS staff and other departments on planning initiatives.
• Build relationships with regional, state, and local agencies and private partners.
• Supervise interns and temporary employees.
• Support the development of policies, ordinances, and procedures related to land use and natural resources.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning-related field

Master's degree preferred

Certified Planner professional certification

Tools

GIS/ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Community Development Leader

Location: St. Joseph, Michigan

Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Salary: $70,000–$80,000 annually

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Community Development Leader to lead community development planning initiatives, including land use, infrastructure, roads, emergency management, and other planning programs. This role will oversee building permits and inspection compliance, support land acquisition and development planning, and work closely with internal teams and regional, state, and local agencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead community, land-use, infrastructure, and development planning initiatives.
• Manage building permit processes, inspection compliance, and planning documentation.
• Develop and maintain long-term land acquisition and development plans.
• Manage transportation programs, including grant planning and reporting.
• Research and assist with securing public and private funding for community projects.
• Coordinate with GIS staff and other departments on planning initiatives.
• Build relationships with regional, state, and local agencies and private partners.
• Supervise interns and temporary employees.
• Support the development of policies, ordinances, and procedures related to land use and natural resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a planning-related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 5+ years of related planning experience.
• Certified Planner professional certification.
• Experience with capital projects, grant management, implementation, and budgeting.
• Strong knowledge of planning principles, land use, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and GIS/ArcGIS preferred.

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