Planner

Maricopa County; United States; Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Hybrid work schedule

Opportunities for growth and develop-

Job summary

Maricopa County is seeking a Planner to work on current and long-range planning projects, including rezoning, special use permits, and comprehensive planning cases. You will manage development applications, coordinate with County and external agencies, and present findings to the Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment.

The role requires strong analytical, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to conduct research, prepare staff reports, and provide technical

Qualifications

• Two years of planning-related work experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Geography, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Urban Studies, Architecture, or a related field.
• Postgraduate degrees or professional-level experience may substitute for education or experience on a year-for-year basis.
• AICP certification; GIS software experience; public presentations or trainings experience.
• Master's degree in Planning or related field; knowledge of planning theory, principles, and practices.
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on land use, zoning, and other planning issues; compile data and generate a variety of reports.
• Perform technical review of projects, ensuring plans are in compliance.
• Act as project manager for development applications, including comprehensive plan amendments, zone changes, plans of development, and related applications.
• Provide technical assistance to the public and applicants related to planning, zoning, and land development issues.
• Coordinate with other departments and jurisdictions concerning land development matters.
• Participate in public and agency meetings to explain planning proposals and gather feedback.
• Prepare and deliver planning presentations to neighborhood and community groups.
• Advise architects, builders, contractors, engineers, and the public regarding County development policies and standards.
• Other job duties as assigned

Education

Bachelor's degree in Planning, Geography, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Urban Studies, Architecture, or related field

Master's degree in Planning or related field

Two years of planning-related work experience

Strong organizational and time management skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Public speaking and technical writing

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Posting Date 10/14/26 Application Deadline 10/21/26 Pay Range $66,000 - $107,500 annually Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. The position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

About the Position

The Planner works directly on current and long-range planning projects, including project management of rezoning cases, special use permits, comprehensive planning cases, variances, administrative applications, and military compatibility permits. Under limited supervision, performs work of considerable difficulty in the field of professional, community planning and development. This position will act as a project manager for processing cases, coordinating between County agencies and external agencies on reviews/comments. This position includes research, plan review, conducting analysis, and recommendations in a staff report on project compliance with the comprehensive plan/area plans, zoning district standards, and regulations. The Planner will be responsible for presenting the evaluation and recommendation within the staff report to the Planning & Zoning Commission and/or the Board of Adjustment. This role will also be responsible for conducting specialized studies and projects. This position acts as a liaison to the public and development community for various planning and development applications and complex projects. Incumbents are responsible for assignments requiring technical knowledge, exercise of independent judgment, creative problem solving, and conflict mediation skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical to the job function.

About Us

Maricopa County is GROWING. At the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department, we want you to join us in making that growth possible! With our wide range of services, from land-use planning to building inspections and permit review, we have positions that allow professionals in the planning, construction, engineering, and trade fields to shape the future of the built environment.

Proud to Offer Work with a greater purpose

• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance with a hybrid work schedule option
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to the Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring an 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

Want to learn more about the County’s Qualifying and Compensation Philosophy? Follow this link to learn more!

Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

We are Maricopa County. Who is that, you may ask? Forbes has rated Maricopa County one of Arizona’s Best Employers in 2024. We are over 13,000 employees strong, providing vital services for one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, with over four million residents who call Maricopa County home. You may wonder what we do, and it may be easier to answer that by asking what are you interested in! Join us and you will become part of a dynamic group of diverse and talented professionals who are passionate about making a difference and giving back to their communities. We offer career paths and opportunities in just about every job category and job level imaginable, so your journey with us is what you make of it! Along with offering purposeful careers, you can expect a rich selection of economical and comprehensive healthcare options, robust retirement plans, tuition and loan payment programs, and multiple paid leave options, as part of an overall generous compensation and benefits package. Thinking about career options, then please think about us! We are Maricopa County, and we are looking forward to working with you!

We Require

• Two years of planning-related work experience
• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Geography, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Urban Studies, Architecture, or a related field
• Postgraduate degrees or professional-level-related experience may substitute for education or experience on a year-for-year basis
• We Also Value Experience with Air-photo interpretation AICP certification; GIS software Experience in the delivery of speeches, professional presentations, or training events
• Master's degree in Planning or a related field Knowledge of planning theory, principles, and practices of community long-range and current planning, environmental issues, construction methods, economics, etc. In-depth knowledge of applicable statutes, rules, ordinances, codes, and regulations
• Must possess strong organizational and time management skills, ability to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands Research and organizational skills; management of application case files
• Skill in reviewing and evaluating technical site plans
• Skill in establishing effective working relationships with others
• Skill in effective communication, including presentations, customer service, and public relations methods and practices
• Skill in operating a personal computer, utilizing a variety of software applications
• Demonstrated effective, clear, and concise communication skills, both written and verbal; public speaking and technical writing
• Demonstrated ability to make effective verbal and multi-media presentations at various types of public hearings and public meeting settings
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and analyze development applications
• Demonstrated ability to use creative problem-solving to address and resolve difficult planning issues
• Ability to effectively utilize technology in relation to community planning and land development, such as interpretation of aerial photography, Geographic Information Systems, electronic filing and case tracking systems, etc.

Job Contributions

Conduct research on land use, zoning, and other planning issues; compile data and generate a variety of reports Perform technical review of projects, ensuring plans are in compliance Act as project manager for development applications, including comprehensive plan amendments, zone changes, plans of development, preliminary and final plats, use permits, variances, and other related applications. Participate in the analysis, development, and documentation of project needs and costs Provide technical assistance to the public and applicants related to planning, zoning, and land development issues Coordinate with other departments and jurisdictions concerning land development matters Participate in public and agency meetings with state and regional planning groups to explain planning proposals, to gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project design Prepare and deliver planning presentations to neighborhood and community groups Confer with and advise architects, builders, contractors, engineers, and the public regarding County development policies and standards Other job duties as assigned

Working Conditions

This position is eligible for hybrid flexibility after a brief training period Exerting up to 10 pounds occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time Position is typically office or administrative work and is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software, and Hardware Geographic Information Systems, electronic filing and case tracking systems, etc.

Selection Procedure

Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact [e-mail] to initiate the interactive process.