PLANNER I

City of Surprise, AZ; Surprise (AZ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Surprise Community Development Department is seeking a motivated, collaborative, and service-oriented planning professional to join our team as a Planner I!

In this role, you’ll work with city departments, residents, property and business owners, developers, and design professionals to shape development while reviewing and advancing proposals, solving planning challenges, and providing exceptional customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or directly related field.
• Minimum of one year of professional urban/land use planning experience.
• Equivalent combination of professional experience; additional education cannot substitute experience.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate land development requests for general plan amendments, rezoning, use permits, variances, design review, appeals, and annexations.
• Review and advance development proposals to ensure they meet City standards.
• Make presentations at community meetings and to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• Interpret and communicate City codes and regulations to ensure compliance.

Skills

Communication

Writing

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Planning/Architecture/LA or related field

Job description

The City of Surprise Community Development Department is seeking a motivated, collaborative, and service-oriented planning professional to join our team as a Planner I!

In this role, you’ll work alongside experienced planning professionals and collaborate with City departments, residents, property and business owners, developers, and design professionals to help shape high-quality development throughout our growing community. You’ll have the opportunity to review and advance development proposals, solve planning challenges, provide exceptional customer service, and present projects to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The ideal candidate is an effective communicator and writer who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, can successfully manage multiple priorities, and approaches their work with professionalism, initiative, and a solutions-focused mindset.

If you’re ready to grow your planning career, contribute to the future of a dynamic community, and take on meaningful and rewarding work, we invite you to join the City of Surprise!

SUMMARY

The Planner I position performs specific entry-level activity ensuring new development meets City standards and guidelines in order to create and maintain a high quality and well-built community by interpreting and communicating code, laws and regulations to ensure compliance with applicable standards. Some of the responsibilities of a Planner I include evaluating land development requests for general plan amendments, rezoning, use permits, variances, design review, appeals, annexations, preliminary plats, as well as the drafting of legal documents such as ordinances and resolutions. Additionally, the Planner I will make presentations at community meetings to facilitate decision making by Council, Boards, Commissions and related groups.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or directly related field and a minimum of one year of professional level urban/land use planning experience; or, an equivalent combination of professional experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed in the job description. Additional education cannot be substituted for experience.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants whose education, training and experience most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process to include a panel interview.

Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include:

• Criminal Background Screening
• Education & Experience Verification
• E-Verify
• Fingerprinting

The City of Surprise is an EEO/ADA reasonable accommodation employer.