Senior Planner

City of Santa Fe Springs; Juneau (AK); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

13 paid holidays

Parking passes

Paid parental leave

Wellness program

Job summary

City & Borough of Juneau seeks a Senior Planner to lead current and long‑range planning efforts, present clear staff reports, and mentor junior staff. You will help administer housing funds and manage grants, while coordinating with the Planning Manager and various boards.

The role requires interpreting land use codes, comprehensive plans, and state/federal regulations, with occasional evening meetings and potential telework after probation. In‑person work is expected in Juneau.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, or a related field preferred.
• Three years of professional level experience in community or urban planning.
• AICP certification or equivalent within 18 months of appointment is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical information to the Planning Commission, Assembly, and the public.
• Lead onboarding, training, and mentoring of early‑career planners.
• Assist with development/refinement of procedures, workflows, and permit software use.

Skills

Urban planning

Policy analysis

Staff mentoring

Public administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning or related field

Tools

Permitting software (Tyler EPL/Civic Access)

Job description

Description

The City & Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Community Development Department (CDD) is seeking a Senior Planner. Our candidates must have experience/education in urban or regional planning, public administration or policy, or a related field; as well as experience in one or more of the following: land use code interpretation and implementation, training/mentoring professional staff, permit software management, and/or grant management. AICP accreditation is preferred but not required.

Typical Responsibilities

The Senior Planner position is an advanced professional level position. This position plays a critical role in ensuring high-quality customer service and continuity of operations. Senior Planners are responsible for both current and long-range planning, performing complex work independently, following generally established guidelines. This position provides technical information to the Planning Commission, Assembly, and the public. The position has a strong focus on onboarding, training, and mentoring early-career planners. Training responsibilities include assisting with the development and refinement of procedures, workflows, and daily use of CBJ’s recently integrated permit software system. Experience with Tyler Tech’s EPL and/or Civic Access platforms is beneficial but not required. Senior Planner responsibilities include interpreting and applying the CBJ Land Use Code (Title 49), comprehensive plans, and related policies; having a strong working knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations; reviewing complex land use and development applications; and preparing clear, defensible staff reports and recommendations. This position may attend evening meetings to present planning items to the Planning Commission, Assembly, and other boards or commissions. Senior Planners may lead the development of area plans, Comprehensive Plan updates, and other long-range planning efforts, managing public engagement, interagency coordination, and communications with City Leadership. Together with the Planning Manager, Senior Planners administer the Juneau Affordable Housing Fund, manage grants, and staff the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee and Historic Resources Advisory Committee. All planners provide in-person Planner on Call services in the Permit Center and via phone or email, as well as perform daily intake on permit and plan applications. Individuals may opt to pursue an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Project Management Professional (PMP), or other approved certification relevant to the position while on the job.

WORKING HOURS AND LOCATION

This position works Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, plus occasional evening hours. Public, Planning Commission, and Assembly meetings may require evening work. Our office is in downtown Juneau, Alaska, at the Marine View Building, 230 S. Franklin Street. Juneau, Alaska’s Capitol City, is set in Southeast Alaska where the only "road" in or out is the Alaska Marine Highway. To learn more about our remote community, visit https://choosejuneau.org/. This is an in-person/in-office position. After completing the one-year probationary period, you may be considered for telework, remote work (in accordance with current CBJ and CDD policy) or flexible work hours, as approved by your supervisor.

The Benefits Of Joining Our Team

We are committed to professionalism and career enhancement, while also sustaining a routine that supports life outside of work. Our schedule is 40+ hours a week, with flexibility to meet employee’s needs or requests. Joining our team provides an opportunity to interact with a variety of people and organizations, while working on interesting and impactful CBJ projects. Relocation expenses may be eligible for reimbursement, if approved, but will require a pro-rated repayment if leaving CBJ service in less than four years.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college. A degree in planning, civil engineering, geography, architecture, business or public administration, or a related field, is preferred.

Substitution

Experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis. Examples of qualifying experience includes sub-professional or paraprofessional work in environmental, transportation, or community development; architecture; engineering; land surveying; landscape architecture; urban design; historic preservation; geography; geographic information systems; housing administration, grant administration; business management; or research.

Experience

Three (3) years of professional level experience in community or urban planning.

This work must have included one of the following specialties:

• Comprehensive/Long-Range Planning.
• Current Range Planning
• Community Development
• Land Use and Code Compliance
• Urban Design
• Economic Development
• Environmental / Natural Resources / Hazard Mitigation Planning
• Housing
• Historic Preservation

Certifications

Must obtain an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), Project Management Professional (PMP), or other approved certification relevant to the position, within 18 months of appointment and for continued employment.

Other

A current Driver’s License at time of appointment and for continued employment.

EEO Statement

The City & Borough of Juneau complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call (907) 586‑5250 or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973, or correspond with the Department of Human Resources & Risk Management at [e-mail] or 155 Heritage Way, Juneau, AK 99801. The City and Borough of Juneau is an equal opportunity employer.

Careers with the City & Borough of Juneau offer Many Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the City & Borough of Juneau. Actual benefits received may differ based on position type and will be prorated for other than full time work. Incumbents of Part-time Limited, Eaglecrest Limited, Short-term Temporary, Emergency and Intern positions are not eligible for the benefits described below.

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • No cost employee only plan available
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance--$10,000 for employee, spouse & dependents
  • Additional optional coverage available
  • Travel protection & financial services offered as part of the Life Insurance coverage
• Optional group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life with Accidental Death and Dismemberment (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Short-term Disability
  • Accident Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
  • Employees are eligible for an employer funded Dependent Care Account (DCA) up to $5000.00 following 1 year of actively working.

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program, depending on your date of hire
• Option to enroll in the City & Borough of Juneau’s Deferred Compensation Program with MissionSquare
  • Employer match available for participating PERS Tier IV employees
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan & Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave and Holidays

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
  • 21 days of PL within first year of employment
  • Personal leave includes Sick leave
• Thirteen paid holidays a year
• Six weeks Paid Parental Leave (to eligible employees)

Employee Wellness Program

The Employee Wellness Program assists employees in making choices that support their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. The program provides:

• An opportunity to earn a health insurance premium discount of $1300 per year
• An Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Pass Discounts to local and CBJ recreation facilities
• Health related webinars
• Office Ergonomic Assessments

Additional Perks

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligible employer
• Parking passes or bus passes provided for employees working in the downtown offices
• Free passes to Parks & Recreation field house, ice arena, and swimming pools