Senior Planner

City of Rowlett, Texas; Rowlett (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Rowlett, Texas seeks a Senior Planner to perform detailed analysis and lead coordination on residential and commercial developments under the Planning Manager. Responsibilities include preparing documents, reports, and presentations for City Council and boards, as well as guiding project review with internal and external partners.

The role emphasizes public engagement, adherence to municipal codes, and timely delivery of reviews, notices, and updates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or related field.
• Four years of related experience with significant public interaction.
• Current planning / development review experience preferred.
• Knowledge of municipal operations and the legal/political environment of local government.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates with applicants and leads development review meetings with stakeholders.
• Lead on project review processes coordinating internal and external partners.
• Ensure public notices/publications for assigned cases and projects.
• Prepare reports and presentations for City Council, Boards and Commissions.

Skills

Municipal operations

Urban planning

Public speaking

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Hiring Range: $74,947.07 - $93,684.42 (Depending on qualifications)

Full Salary Range: $74,947.07 - $112,421.79

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Under direction of the Planning Manager, the Senior Planner performs detailed and complex analysis and technical review of applications to ensure compliance with the City’s development regulations and comprehensive plan. Will prepare professional documents, technical reports, and presentations for the City Council and other various boards and commissions. This position is responsible for coordination with applicants at all levels of residential and commercial development, and serves as lead on various project review processes, collaborating with any necessary internal and external partners to ensure thorough review.

Description

Hiring Range: $74,947.07 - $93,684.42 (Depending on qualifications)

Full Salary Range: $74,947.07 - $112,421.79

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Under direction of the Planning Manager, the Senior Planner performs detailed and complex analysis and technical review of applications to ensure compliance with the City’s development regulations and comprehensive plan. Will prepare professional documents, technical reports, and presentations for the City Council and other various boards and commissions. This position is responsible for coordination with applicants at all levels of residential and commercial development, and serves as lead on various project review processes, collaborating with any necessary internal and external partners to ensure thorough review.

Essential Job Functions

Coordinates with applicants and provides assistance to navigate the development review process. This may involve coordinating and leading meetings with internal and external stakeholders to ensure quality development within Rowlett. Must exhibit a high level of understanding of planning practices and utilize same to perform complex reviews and evaluation of submitted plans and documents as they relate to all City governing documents or ordinances.

The incumbent would be expected to utilize planning knowledge, historical information, and best practices to initiate or assist with requested ordinance updates. Updates may be needed for better community protections, ease of understanding and more transparent processes, alignment with best practices, or legal updates.

This position has responsibility for ensuring public notices and publications are completed for any assigned cases/projects. This position will have a significant amount of public interaction and will provide presentations and reports to City Council, Boards and Commissions, and City departments. This position will have responsibility for leading project teams or work groups and may provide direct supervision to interns or other part-time employees.

Performs other duties as assigned. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential function of this position, as is the ability to create and maintain professional, harmonious working relationships with others.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Community Development, Communications, Public Administration, Social Work, Urban Planning or related field. A master’s degree is preferred. Four (4) years of related experience with significant public interaction required, particularly in engaging and working with stakeholder groups. Current planning / development review experience preferred.

• Knowledge of municipal operations, organizational structure, and the legal and political environment of local government.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and theories of urban planning and land use, including Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, statutes, etc.
• Knowledge of research, analysis, interpretation, implementation, development, and enforcement of complex legal, development, planning and zoning proposals.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and display good judgement in interactions with residents, development community, and City employees.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees in all City departments.
• Ability to prepare and present a variety of reports for oral and written presentations.
• Ability to listen well and communicate clearly and precisely, orally and in writing with various audiences.
• Ability to manage projects for thoroughness and attention to detail while meeting project milestones or due dates.

Other Requirements

Valid driver's license required. Must have and maintain a good driving record in accordance with the driving standards as established by the City of Rowlett. Must report all traffic citations to his/her departmental Director or his/her designee within two working days of receipt.

Mobility within an office or field environment. May be required to work evenings or weekends to accomplish tasks, such as community meetings and special events.

Physical demands are primarily sedentary. Light lifting (up to 15 lbs.) walking, standing, etc. Primarily works in a climate-controlled office environment. Will occasionally work in outside environments and may be subject to the elements.

The City of Rowlett is proud to support a healthy work/life balance by offering a 4-day work week, with standard business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., depending on departmental schedules.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes vacation, holiday, and sick leave, along with medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance.

To support our employees’ long-term financial goals, the City participates in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), featuring a generous 2:1 match.

For a more detailed overview of our benefit package, please visit our Benefits Page.