Principal Planner

City of Arlington; United States; On-site; USD 82,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Arlington is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to oversee a team of planners in long-range and current planning efforts. You will negotiate complex consultant contracts, coordinate development programs, and ensure compliance with ordinances and city policies.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting acumen, and excellent communication with the public and City Council. AICP is preferred and certification timelines apply.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of urban planning principles and GIS analysis.
• Experience with budgets, development plans, and zoning processes.
• Familiarity with codes, ordinances, and regulations relevant to planning.
• Ability to negotiate complex consultant contracts and manage professional services.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planners and planning teams for long-range and current planning activities; negotiate contracts and supervise plan development.
• Research project objectives, development programs, design guidelines, budgets, and public input.
• Manage the department’s planning efforts including Comprehensive Plan, land-use permits, and variances; schedule hearings and enforce compliance.
• Respond to inquiries from departments, the public, and boards to provide expert planning guidance.
• Administer zoning processes, hearings, and meetings for planning and zoning commissions and City Council.

Skills

Urban planning knowledge

GIS analysis

Project management

Contract negotiation

Team leadership

Written and oral communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning or related field

AICP certification

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

GIS software

Database & spreadsheet tools

Map design tools

Job description

SALARY $81,642.50 - $102,053.16

Under general supervision, oversees and directs the activities of other planning staff responsible for performing planning assignments, and acts as project manager and project coordinator on long-range plans and studies and current planning activities, including negotiating professional service agreements, monitoring consultant contracts, preparing and presenting staff reports and ordinance revisions, and providing technical planning and zoning assistance to the public and city departments.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Manage and supervise planners and planning teams responsible for assignments of long-range plans and studies and current planning activities, preparing and presenting staff reports, ordinance revisions, and providing technical planning and zoning assistance to the public and city departments to ensure the city’s policies and standards are met, including negotiating complex consultant and professional service contracts and supervising the development of plans and documents.
• Research and develop project objectives, development programs, design guidelines, neighborhood plans, and budgets based on Council priorities, the department’s work plan, and public input.
• Manage and review the department’s planning efforts, including the Comprehensive Plan and its related activities, development and related land-use permit applications, development plans, and variance applications; examine applications for compliance with established plans and ordinances, and applicable regulations; schedule hearings, monitor approval processes, and enforce compliance.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Respond to inquiries from departments, citizens, commissions, City Council, developers, civic leaders, and other professionals to provide technical and professional guidance in planning, economic development, and community development.
• Lead and coordinate recommendations from departments, divisions, and external groups in reviewing zoning cases, development applications, long-range plans, and special reports.
• Administer zoning processes, platting, variances, special exceptions, ordinance and code amendments, and related activities; facilitate meetings for Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Landmark Preservation Commission, community groups, consultants, and City Council.
• Write reports requiring limited editing; evaluate demographic, zoning, economic, geographic, historic, and infrastructure information; design and organize databases supporting demographics, growth and development monitoring, and application reviews.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of fundamental principles, concepts, practices, and theories of urban planning.
• Knowledge of comprehensive and neighborhood planning principles, urban design/architecture, transportation planning principles, economic development, finance, engineering, and GIS analysis.
• Knowledge of professional service procurement, contract negotiation, and contract administration.
• Knowledge of GIS and methods for creating maps and audio-visual presentations.
• Knowledge of research methods for organizing and analyzing complex data, including project management, spreadsheet, database, and word-processing software.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws/regulations relating to planning, zoning, site planning, and urban development.
• Knowledge of budget preparation and governmental accounting practices.
• Knowledge of internal departmental processes, ordinances, and policies.
• Skill in communicating clearly with employees, the public, consultants, boards, commissions, and City Council using oral, graphic, and written methods.
• Skill in researching, analyzing, and generating data, and in developing conclusions and recommendations.
• Skill in presenting complex issues to the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council, boards, commissions, and the general public.
• Ability to evaluate subdivision plats, development plans, and zoning cases comprehensively.
• Ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary and diverse project teams.
• Ability to supervise professional and technical staff and organize/schedule workloads and priorities.
• Ability to initiate, design, coordinate, and manage planning projects and multi-departmental efforts.
• Ability to operate computers, GIS systems, graphics tools, visualization software, digital cameras, scanners, and related applications.
• Ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting, seeing, typing, writing, and entering data.

QUALIFYING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning, geography/GIS, political science/public administration, architecture, environmental science, landscape architecture, business, or related field plus six (6) years of related experience including one (1) year of progressively responsible supervisory experience; or a Master’s degree in one of these fields plus four (4) years of related experience including one (1) year supervisory experience.
• AICP required within two (2) years of employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Code Amendment Project Management, including compliance with legislative mandates
• Architectural and Historic Preservation Review
• Neighborhood Planning and Engagement

Employment Screenings Required:

• Criminal background check
• Motor Vehicle Records Review (MVR)

City of Arlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The people that work for the City of Arlington directly impact our community, citizens, visitors and businesses. Become a leader in your chosen profession by joining the City’s dynamic workforce and make a positive contribution to the American Dream City! The City of Arlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City will make reasonable accommodations upon request for qualified individuals with disabilities.