Principal Planner - Internal Only

City of Lone Tree; Lone Tree (CO); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

RTD EcoPass

Job summary

City of Lone Tree is seeking a Principal Planner to lead advanced planning projects and supervise a team within the Planning Division. The role requires expertise in land use, long-range and current planning, and collaboration with City Council and community partners.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication, public speaking and strategic thinking skills, with a track record of building consensus and guiding regulatory processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressively responsible planning experience in local government or private sector.
• Master’s degree in Planning or Community Development preferred and may substitute for two years of experience.
• Experience supervising staff and working across departments to advance planning initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex land-use planning projects and provide strategic guidance to the Planning Division.
• Prepare staff reports, presentations, and updates for Planning Commission and City Council.
• Mentor and supervise junior planners and coordinate with other city divisions and external partners.

Skills

Leadership

Public speaking

Communication

GIS

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s in Planning or related

Tools

Esri GIS

Smartsheet

Bluebeam

Accella

Job description

Principal Planner – Internal Only

At the City of Lone Tree, we are committed to hiring individuals who are passionate about their community, eager to grow in their careers, and motivated to make a meaningful impact. Here, you won’t just take on a job, you’ll join a dedicated team working to shape a vibrant, forward-thinking City. Whether you’re driven by public service, energized by problem-solving, or simply seeking purposeful work alongside exceptional colleagues, you’ll find your place with us.

INTRODUCTION TO PLANNING DIVISION

At the City of Lone Tree, we lead the way with exemplary service, collaborative partnerships, and continuous improvement. The City’s Six Big Ideas are demonstrated by our mission to do things the best way- not just the expected way, our ability to work together using all areas of expertise to achieve a common goal, and our commitment to fulfilling the needs of our community through thoughtful interactions.

Lone Tree’s Planning team is a division within the City’s Community Development Department, along with the Building and Code Enforcement Divisions. The Planning Division manages a wide variety of current development and long-range planning projects and activities in fulfillment of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF POSITION

Under the direction of the Planning Manager, this position oversees a range of advanced level planning projects and activities, while serving in a leadership and supervisory capacity. This position applies experience, outstanding communication, and collaboration skills to identify issues, advance solutions, and build relationships. Critical thinking, collaboration and strong communication skills are central to this position.

This position requires comprehensive mastery of the principles and practices of local government and current and long-range planning and development processes and functions at an advanced level within the profession. This position makes recommendations for action on land use matters to the Planning Commission and City Council and is responsible for overseeing a wide variety of planning services in fulfillment of the City’s vision and goals. This position manages complex projects with direct influence on each project. This position guides and supports other planners both as a direct supervisor and as a professional mentor. The ideal candidate applies experience in both current and long-range planning to achieve the broader goals of the organization and the community vision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following essential job functions and examples of duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive. Duties may be modified, added or deleted at the discretion of Planning Manager.

• Model the core values of the organization. Seek to connect current work assignments to the goals and objectives of the organization and the community.
• Manage, train and coach direct reports and serve as a knowledgeable resource to the planning teams and our customers.

• Evaluate and administer complex land use development projects including, but not limited to site improvement plans, rezonings, subdivisions and special use permits.
• Prepare staff reports, project packets and agenda items within required deadlines.
• Effectively present information (privately and publicly) to supervisors, City Council, boards and commissions as well as the general public.
• Draft and present a variety of reports and presentations for varying audiences, to include technical analyses, informational reports, media articles, legislative comments, and public and professional presentations and trainings.
• Respond to public inquiries in a professional, transparent and politically sensitive manner.
• Establish and curate Division policies, standard operating procedures, and training materials.
• Promote a culture of equity, innovation, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.

• Possess in-depth knowledge of the City Comprehensive Plan, land use regulations, and related laws, codes, regulations and ordinances, and clearly communicate information to the public, developers and other interested parties.
• Lend expertise and research capability to special plans and projects including plan and regulation updates.
• Conduct research and/or special studies as directed by the Community Development Director or Planning Manager, or as issues require.
• Work closely with the Planning Manager to identify, evaluate and make recommendations regarding Planning Division activities.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.
• Serve as a liaison to City partners, as assigned, and represent the City on various boards and committees through active participation and accurate reporting on activities and events involving the City.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES TO SUPPORT SUCCESS

Interpersonal and Technical Skills

• Strong interpersonal, oral, and verbal skills. Must have the ability to interact effectively with individuals of varying cultural, economic, professional and educational backgrounds.
• Demonstrated personal effectiveness, professionalism, integrity and credibility, thoroughness, flexibility, and collaboration skills.

• Must have outstanding presentation and public speaking skills including the ability to present information concisely at public meetings.
• Precision and attention to details when reviewing development plans, maps and reports.

• Excellent writing skills: the ability to prepare clear, concise, and complete technical documents, reports, correspondence, and other written materials using proper spelling, grammar, and style.
• Critical and creative thinking skills with a focus on systems thinking. Ability to assess complex planning issues and problems, analyze data, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective courses of action regarding zoning policies, land use ordinances, urban design, and community planning.

Knowledge of

• Objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, information services, and trends in the field of local government planning.
• Zoning, land use, urban design, demographic, environmental, and social/economic concepts and principles as applied to local government planning.
• Special Districts, to include a basic understanding of how special districts function, as well as relationships between special districts and local governments in providing services to communities.
• Purposes, roles, and authorities of councils, commissions, and others involved in the planning process.
• Requires solid knowledge of the federal, state and local regulations related to planning.
• Community engagement principles and techniques
• Familiarity with GIS, data analysis and emerging planning technologies.

Ability to

• Manage project stakeholders, deliverables and deadlines.
• Design and implement community engagement strategies.
• Coordinate and participate in major projects including the collection and analysis of data, and preparation of reports and recommendations pertaining to the planning process.
• Interpret and apply laws, policies, procedures, regulations, specifications, site and building plans, environmental impact reports, data, and maps to development proposals.
• Ability to negotiate solutions among groups with diverse and conflicting needs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Planning Manager.

SUPERVISION EXCERCISED

Provides day-to-day supervision and mentorship of direct reports including Assistant and Associate Planning Staff. Responsible for reviewing the work product of direct reports for quality control and accuracy, and for ensuring work complies with deadlines, within the parameters of policies and regulations. May provide general oversight to support staff, part-time or temporary employees, and/or volunteers or interns, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

Any combination of education and experience, which demonstrates the candidate possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the Principal Planner’s essential duties and responsibilities is qualifying. Common ways to demonstrate such capabilities include:

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Community Development, Urban and Regional Design, Public Administration, or a closely related field, AND a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in local government or private sector planning.
  • A Master’s degree in Planning or Community Development is preferred and may substitute for two (2) years of work experience.
• Possession of an Associate’s degree in Geography, Geographic Information Systems, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field, AND ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in local government or private sector planning, to include experience supervising employees, may substitute for a Bachelor’s degree.

Equipment Used, Work Environment and Physical Activities

• Driving: Must be physically capable of operating motor vehicles safely in the normal course of assignments.
• Office equipment: Daily use of a copier, scanner and printer.
• Computer equipment and software: Daily use of a personal computer, MS Office software, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and virtual meeting and presentation software. Experience with Esri GIS software platforms (either online or desktop) strongly desired. Experience with Smartsheet, Bluebeam and Accella preferred.
• Physical activities: Primarily sitting, standing and walking. May bend, stoop, reach, climb, carry and lift for varying periods. Requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand-eye movement. Field work includes walking in construction sites as well as developed and undeveloped sites.
• Requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand-eye movement.
• Lifting: May involve lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. for short periods of time.
• Vision and hearing: Must have visual acuity to see and read paper and electronic documents; must be able to answer telephones, communicate conversation and respond to verbal inquiries.
• Exposure to environmental conditions: Work is mainly in an office setting, but some outside fieldwork is required.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is an exempt, full-time position. The City of Lone Tree’s business hours are Monday through Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Actual work schedule will be determined upon hire and will require availability to work evenings and weekends. Flextime and hybrid remote work schedules are offered for employees at the discretion of managers, consistent with City policies; the Planning Division offers a 3-2 schedule (three days in the office, two days remote work) that is coordinated by the Planning Manager to ensure daily in-office presence of the Division.

POSITION RANGE

Hiring Range: $91,080 - $113,850 Annually

Salary Range: $91,080 - $136,620 Annually

FLSA Exempt

Anticipated closing date is September 14,2026.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

At the City of Lone Tree, we understand the value of investing in our employees’ well‑being and financial security. That’s why we offer a robust benefits package designed to support you and your family.

Our benefits include:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and supplemental health plans.
• Work-Life Balance: Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness initiatives to support your overall well‑being.
• Financial Security: Employer‑paid basic life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability coverage, and voluntary life insurance options.
• Retirement Planning: Multiple retirement savings options, including 457, 401(k), and Roth IRA plans, as well as participation in PERA and FPPA pension plans.
• Commuter Perks: Enjoy the convenience of an RTD EcoPass for public transportation.

The City of Lone Tree provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real‑time captioning via CART, or disability‑related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] within three business days' notice.