Long Range Planning Manager

City of Lafayette Colorado; Lafayette (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lafayette Colorado seeks a Principal City Planner – Long Range Planning or Long Range Planning Manager to oversee strategic long-range planning, housing programs, and urban design initiatives. The role includes directing complex projects, supervising staff, and advising City leadership on policy changes.

Candidates should have a Bachelor’s in a planning-related field, eight+ years’ municipal planning experience, and strong GIS/Adobe skills. A Master’s degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in City/Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Engineering, or related field.
• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible municipal planning experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate long-range planning activities.
• Develop and implement long-range plans, policies, and regulations.
• Supervise staff and coordinate with City leadership and external partners.
• Engage community and stakeholders to communicate recommendations.

Skills

Public planning principles

Research and analysis

Communication

GIS software

Education

Bachelor's Degree in City/Regional Planning or related field

Master’s Degree preferred

Tools

ArcMap

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Job description

The City of Lafayette is recruiting for one position that may be filled at either the Principal City Planner – Long Range Planning or Long Range Planning Manager level, depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. Both positions are being advertised; however, only one vacancy will be filled.

SUMMARY OR GENERAL PURPOSE:

Manages and coordinates the City's long-range planning activities, including comprehensive and small-area planning, land use policies and regulations, affordable housing programs, and urban design initiatives. Work includes developing and implementing work plans based on City goals and strategic priorities, overseeing complex planning projects, monitoring legislative changes, and providing strategic and technical guidance to City leadership, staff, appointed bodies, governmental agencies, and the public. May supervise staff and act on behalf of the Current Planning Manager or Planning and Building Director as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The following duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive:

Long Range Planning

• Develops, coordinates, and implements the City's long-range planning work program, including establishing priorities, managing resources, and monitoring progress toward established goals and objectives.
• Defines project scopes, including assessments, policy and zoning analysis, public engagement, data needs, schedules, budgets, and implementation requirements.
• Develops and implements comprehensive, small-area, land-use, housing, transportation, natural-resource, growth, and capital-improvement plans, policies, standards, and regulations.
• Reviews programs and projects for consistency with adopted plans, design criteria, regulations, and approval requirements, coordinating with stakeholders and governmental agencies.
• Monitors planning trends, regulations, and pending legislation; evaluates impacts and recommends updates to City policies, projects, and processes.
• Researches and analyzes technical and community data, develops alternatives, and prepares reports, maps, graphics, and recommendations on complex or sensitive planning, design, and development issues.
• Leads design initiatives and presents policy, design, and strategic alternatives to staff, City officials, appointed bodies, community members, and other stakeholders.
• Partners with City departments to develop, implement, and update departmental plans and strategic initiatives.
• Leads and oversees the City’s affordable housing policy initiatives, programs, and regional partnerships, including management of the City’s existing affordable housing program.

• Advises City officials, appointed bodies, agencies, applicants, and the public on complex land-use, zoning, development, conservation, transportation, infrastructure, and community-livability matters.
• Reviews complex development initiatives and recommends practical modifications or alternatives consistent with City goals, regulations, and design priorities.
• Provides urban-design direction for major infrastructure, public-space, and construction projects in collaboration with technical teams; reviews plans, specifications, and contract documents.
• Facilitates community and stakeholder engagement, resolves competing interests, responds to inquiries, and communicates recommendations to internal and external audiences.

Other

• Coaches and mentors staff and coordinates employees, consultants, and contractors assigned to projects.
• Assists in the development and administration of program budgets, monitors expenditures, and oversees consultant contracts and related project resources.
• Collects data for annual reports and economic-development projects and may serve as liaison to City boards and commissions.
• Develops organizational, process, and customer-service improvements that support City goals.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the supervision of the Planning and Building Director

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Provides technical guidance and project direction to assigned staff and consultants. May supervise employees as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE: Thorough knowledge of public planning principles and practices, including community and land-use planning, zoning, development regulation, and permitting.

SKILLS: Ability to research and resolve planning issues independently, manage assignments and deadlines, exercise sound judgment, and maintain effective working relationships with employees, partners, and the public.

Proficiency with standard office, presentation, spreadsheet, and GIS software, including PowerPoint and ArcMap. Experience with graphic-design and modeling applications such as Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp is preferred.

Strategic and Creative Thinking - Formulates long-term objectives, identifies emerging opportunities and risks, and develops innovative, practical approaches when established methods are insufficient.

External Awareness - Identifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization.

Influencing, Negotiating, and Political Awareness - Builds agreement, navigates organizational and public processes, and negotiates mutually acceptable solutions among parties with differing interests.

Planning and Evaluating - Organizes work, sets priorities, determines resource requirements, coordinates across the organization, monitors progress, and evaluates outcomes against short- and long-term goals.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving - Assesses the accuracy and relevance of information, identifies strengths and weaknesses of alternatives, and uses sound reasoning to recommend solutions.

Working with People - Shows respect for the views and contributions of other team members. Shows empathy, listens, supports, and cares for others, and reconciles the conflict.

Communication - Communicates clearly, concisely, and persuasively in writing and presentations; adapts information to the audience and listens and responds appropriately.

EVIDENCE OF QUALIFICATIONS:

TRAINING: Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Engineering, or a related field. Master’s Degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible municipal planning experience, including experience managing complex planning projects or programs. Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides evidence that the applicant possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a current and valid Colorado Driver’s license or ability to obtain within thirty (30) days from date of hire.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is primarily administrative and performed indoors, including sustained reading, document review, writing, and computer use while sitting, standing, or walking. Occasional field research may expose the employee to uneven or slippery surfaces, dust, dirt, heat, and cold. The position requires manual dexterity, hearing, close visual focus, sustained attention, and regular interaction with employees and the public, including directing, negotiating, and mediating.

INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION:

This position operates within established departmental policies and procedures and exercises independent judgment in managing long-range planning programs and projects. Situations may require interpreting policies and procedures or making decisions based on available facts and circumstances when established guidance does not apply. The position is responsible for establishing project priorities, recommending policy and program improvements, and providing direction on planning matters in coordination with the Planning and Building Director.

EQUIPMENT USED:

The ability to properly operate or use the following equipment is necessary for this position: telephone, copier, personal computer, various software and other office equipment.