Principal Planner

City of Tucson; United States; Vor Ort; USD 92.123.000 - 138.198.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off - 38 days first year

12 weeks paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Zusammenfassung

City of Tucson seeks a Principal Planner to lead community planning, land use, and code development initiatives within the Planning and Development Services Department.

You will develop amendments to the Unified Development Code, research best practices, and present recommendations to boards and the Mayor and Council. The role also provides technical leadership and supervises the Long Range Planning Team under the Long Range Planning Section Manager.

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3 years of relevant experience.
• Equivalency through education/experience allowed.
• Master's degree in Urban Planning preferred.
• Experience in planning, zoning, and public policy.
• AICP certification highly regarded.
• Driver's license required.

Aufgaben

• Researches best practices and develops amendments to the Unified Development Code and related regulations.
• Reviews rezonings, annexations, and zoning modifications with focus on code/policy development.
• Manages special projects including code updates and planning initiatives with prepared presentations.
• Performs technical analyses of housing, land use, transportation, economic and demographic data.
• Develops and implements public outreach and community engagement strategies.
• Supervises Lead Planners and Planners on the Long Range Planning Team and mentors staff.
• Visits sites to conduct site analyses for proposed or ongoing development.

Kenntnisse

Planning

Public policy

Zoning

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree in Urban Planning

AICP certification

Jobbeschreibung

Posting Close Date

Applicants must submit their completed application by 10-18-2026 at 11:59 p.m. MST.

Interview Information

The highest scoring applicants will be invited to participate in interviews on October 30, 2026. Local candidates will participate in-person, while out-of-state candidates will have the option to participate virtually via Microsoft Teams. In-person hiring interviews may be conducted on TBD. The City of Tucson does not provide VISA sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment. Relocation expenses will not be provided for this position. Candidates are responsible for all costs associated with relocating to the Tucson area, if applicable.

Position Specific Summary

The Principal Planner position at the City of Tucson's Planning and Development Services Department leads community planning, land use, and code development initiatives.

The position develops and implements amendments to the Unified Development Code, land use plans, and related policies; researches best practices and develops regulatory and policy recommendations and presents recommendations to the public, boards and commissions, and Mayor and Council.

The Principal Planner also provides technical and program leadership and supervises Long Range Planning Team personnel.

Work is performed under the supervision of the Long Range Planning Section Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Researches best practices and develops amendments, revisions, and new sections of the Unified Development Code and related regulations.
• Reviews, annexations, rezonings, and zoning modifications on a limited basis, with emphasis on cases that inform code and policy development.
• Manages special projects and initiatives, including zoning code updates, or planning initiatives and prepares electronic documents and presentations to communicate complex planning, regulatory, and policy information.
• Conducts technical analysis of housing, land use, transportation, economic and demographic data to inform code updates, policy recommendations, and long range planning initiatives.
• Develops and implements public outreach and community engagement strategies to support code amendments and long range planning initiatives, and incorporates community input into recommendations.
• Supervises Lead Planners and Planners on the Long Range Planning Team, including assigning work, reviewing performance, providing guidance, and fostering opportunities for professional growth.
• Visits sites periodically to conduct site analysis for proposed or ongoing development.
• Performs all other duties and tasks as assigned.

Working Conditions

This position may require working after normal business hours to attend public meetings, community meetings, and Planning Commission or Council hearings, and may require traveling off site to attend informational meetings and community events.

All duties and responsibilities listed are subject to change.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education Bachelor's degree
• Experience Three (3) years of relevant experience
• Equivalency Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• License/Certifications Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in Urban Planning or closely related field, such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography, or Public Policy.
• Experience in Planning, Zoning, and Public Policy Development.
• American Planning Association: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• License: A valid and unrestricted driver’s license with two (2) years of licensed driving is required.

Position Details

Job Profile J2615 - Principal Planner View full job profile including classification specifications and physical demands at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Human-Resources/Tucson-Talent.

Compensation Grade G109 Hourly Range $32.15 - 48.23 USD The City of Tucson considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Exempt Position Type Regular Time

Type Full time Department Planning and Development Services Center Department Link https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Planning-Development-Services

Background Check This position has been designated to require a criminal background check.

The City of Tucson is a Second Chance Employer.

Benefits

• Benefits begin with medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage, surpassing your standard 401(k) program by offering a rich pension plan plus optional Roth and pretax deferred compensation savings.
• With your well-being in mind, our paid time off program provides new hires with 38 paid days off in the first year of employment, with time off increasing steadily in subsequent years.
• We offer twelve weeks of paid parental leave, paid tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, off- and on-the-job training, and opportunities to forge connections with peers and the community through employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours.

Citizenship

The City of Tucson employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The City of Tucson does not offer visa sponsorship.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer

The city does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), national origin, veteran status, age, disability, genetic testing, or any other protected status.

If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, you may file a complaint with the City of Tucson's Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Arizona Attorney General's Office of the Civil Rights Division (ACRD).

ADA Accessibility Compliant Form

The City of Tucson is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities or who require religious accommodation; please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].

City Organization

The City of Tucson, founded in 1775 and incorporated in 1877, is a City Manager-led Mayor and Council government organization comprised of over 5,000 dedicated employees.

Tucson Community

The City of Tucson is recognized as a Top 20 Best City in America by Resonance Consultancy. Tucson, Arizona, is a thriving center for bioscience, aerospace/defense, optics, mining, and logistics. With a city population of more than 540,000 and a regional population of more than 1 million, Tucson has 330-plus days of sunshine a year and is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges. A small-town feel with big-city amenities complements its natural beauty.

Additional Information

You can learn more about Tucson, Arizona, at Visit Tucson, Arizona.

For system related questions please contact [e-mail].

For general Human Resources questions please contact 520-791-4241.