Planner I

City of Durango; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance (med/dn

Paid time off & holidays

Flexible scheduling

401(a) retirement plan

Long-term disability coverage

Employee wellness program

Free transit pass

Professional development reimbursement

Job summary

The City of Durango is seeking a Planner I in the Community Development Department to guide residents through the development process, review permit applications, explain planning requirements, and contribute to current planning projects. You’ll help manage the city’s permitting software and vacation rental program while growing in municipal planning.

This role invites early-career planners or those with transferable experience in GIS, environmental science, or public administration to join a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, geography, environmental science, public administration, GIS or a related field.
• One year of progressively responsible experience in urban planning or local government with transferable skills.

Responsibilities

• Support planning projects through customer service, code interpretation, permit review, data analysis, research, and report preparation.
• Coordinate the review and processing of development proposals and applications (site plans, variances, design reviews, permits).
• Explain code requirements to developers, builders, and community members; prepare informational materials and propose code modifications when needed.
• Conduct current and long-range planning studies using social, economic, land use and population data; prepare reports and recommendations.
• Collaborate with developers, contractors, and community members to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Perform field inspections related to development and building proposals and contribute to land use surveys.
• Support boards and commissions by preparing staff reports and participating in public meetings.
• Collaborate with other city departments and external organizations and agencies.

Skills

Customer service

Data analysis

GIS

Report writing

Code interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

GIS software (ArcGIS)

Job description

The City of Durango’s Community Development Department helps shape a safe, thriving city that meets today’s needs while planning responsibly for future generations. As a Planner I, you’ll help community members navigate the development process and support the community’s livability. You’ll review and process permit applications, explain planning and zoning requirements, and contribute to current planning projects. You’ll also help manage ongoing programs, including the City’s permitting software and vacation rental program.

This role offers an opportunity to grow in municipal planning, whether you’re an early-career planner or bring transferable experience in environmental science, geographic information systems (GIS), public administration, or community-focused work. You’ll build professional skills and contribute to local planning projects as part of a collaborative, supportive team.

City of Durango’s Trail to Excellence

The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.

At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the city’s mission of providing excellent service and reaching the city’s vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible. The full details of this vision are outlined in the city’s strategic plan.

As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because:

• Your ideas help shape citywide improvements.
• The work you do ties directly into measurable goals.
• You’ll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results.

We're looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing — and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.

What You’ll Do in This Role:

• Support planning projects through customer service, code interpretation, permit review, data analysis, research, and report preparation.
• Coordinate the review and processing of development proposals and applications, including site plans, special use permits, variances, design review applications, building permit applications, sign permits, fence permits, and more.
• Interpret and explain code requirements to developers, builders, and community members; develop and distribute informational materials to aid understanding and suggest code modifications when necessary.
• Conduct current and long-range planning studies. Analyze social, economic, land use, and population data to identify trends and potential community impacts, prepare reports, and make recommendations on planning activities.
• Work with developers, contractors, and community members to help them comply with applicable regulations and ordinances.
• Perform field inspections related to development and building proposals, ensuring adherence to planning standards and contributing to land use surveys and studies.
• Support boards and commissions by preparing and presenting staff reports and participating in public meetings to support community engagement.
• Collaborate with other city departments and external organizations and agencies.

You Have:

• A bachelor’s degree with coursework in planning, landscape architecture, political science, public administration, geography, environmental science, GIS, or a related field.
• One year of progressively responsible experience in urban planning, local government, or a related field with transferable skills.

You Will Succeed in This Role If You:

• Listen carefully, communicate clearly, and provide helpful customer service.
• Understand the principles and practices of urban planning, community and economic development, and placemaking.
• Can use GIS and other mapping software to support community development projects.
• Can gather information, analyze data, and prepare clear reports.
• Can interpret planning and zoning ordinances and regulations and explain them clearly to a variety of audiences.

What We Can Offer You:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Ample personal time off (PTO) and 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible scheduling and work-life balance.
• 401(a) retirement plan and optional deferred compensation plan.
• Basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Paid family and medical leave.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Free access to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink & Ski Area.
• Employee Wellness Program, addressing physical, mental, financial, and professional well-being.
• Free transit pass and family member discounts.
• Reimbursement for job-related classes to foster continuous learning.
• Sixteen hours of volunteer time off per year to support local non-profit organizations.