Senior Planner

Zionsville; Zionsville (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Zionsville is seeking a Senior Planner to lead planning staff, guide complex development reviews, and ensure compliance with municipal regulations. The role emphasizes independent judgment, policy development, and strong customer service in a dynamic municipal environment.

The Senior Planner will oversee projects from concept to final construction, coordinate with boards and town departments, and stay current with planning trends to support community development goals.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising professional and technical planning staff.
• Strong ability to interpret and apply town development regulations.
• Customer service oriented with effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize, supervise, and review planning procedures for petitions.
• Review and facilitate appeals of town development fees and regulations.
• Coordinate project reviews with management, staff, and outside agencies.
• Develop policies and procedures and suggest improvements.
• Oversee complex planning tasks and coordinate reviews of proposals.
• Prepare staff reports, conduct research, and present findings.
• Serve as project manager from concept to construction of developments.
• Attend professional meetings and stay current with trends in urban planning.
• Advise architects, builders, developers, and the public on regulations.
• Draft and present ordinances and development agreements to boards.
• Answer public questions and investigate complaints with a service focus.
• Attend and host meetings.

Skills

Planning supervision

Project management

Customer service

Policy and procedure development

Urban planning knowledge

Job description

Job Opportunities

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Working independently under the Director of Planning and Building,the Senior Plannersupervises,assigns,reviews,and participates intheworkofprofessionalandtechnicalstaffresponsibleforthereviewandprocessingofBoards and Committee petitions, and special projects.

Ensures work quality and adherence to established policies, procedures, and timelines; and performs the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. This is a broad classification with individual positions assigned to specific functional areas; duties and assignments may overlap depending on the operational needs of the department and staffing levels.

The Senior Planner position is distinguished by the level of independence and responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned including providing direction to professional and technical planning staff and review of the most complex planning projects. Employees at this level are required to be fully capable in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility and have an acute awareness of the importance of customer service.

Duties and Responsibilities

Exercising appropriate discretion and independent judgment, the Senior Planner’s functional duties include:

• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review municipal code, zoning, subdivision and processing procedures for Board of Zoning Appeals and Plan Commission petitions.
• Review and facilitate appeals of Town road and park impact fees.
• Establisheschedulesandmethodsforproviding projectreviews, coordinate andreview withappropriatemanagementstaff,outsideagenciesandother Town departments.
• Participateinthedevelopmentofpoliciesandprocedures; monitor workactivitiestoensure compliance withestablishedpoliciesand procedures; make recommendationsfor changes and improvements toexisting standards andprocedures.
• Performthe more technical and complextasks ofthe urban planning unit including coordinating the review ofproject proposals.
• Prepareandpresentstaffreportsforthe various Boards, Commissions, and Committeesasdirected;undertakeresearch;preparereportsand maps and related exhibits.
• Serveasprojectmanagerfromconceptualdesign through final construction of development plans.
• Attendandparticipateinprofessionalgroupmeetings;maintain current knowledge ofnewtrendsand innovations inthefieldofurban planning.
• Advisearchitects,builders,developers,contractorsandthegeneralpublicregardingtheimplementationandinterpretationofapplicableTown development regulations.
• Coordinate,research,draftandpresentvariousordinancesand agreements to the Town’s decision-making bodies.
• Answerquestionsandprovide informationtothepublicwithan emphasis on customer service;investigate complaints andrecommend corrective action.
• Attend and host meetings.

Working Conditions

The qualified candidate must be able to manage a variety of inter-personal situations with good judgement in a professional, discreet manner, work on several tasks at the same time and complete tasks effectively. This position requires the ability to work and communicate well with individuals from all levels.

The environment is a typical indoor office that will occasionally require field inspections. May be required to work beyond normal business hours.

Physical requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

This position requires the physical and mental ability to conduct meetings, to enter and move about all Town facilities, and to inspect development and building sites for compliance of conditions of approval, written commitments, and town ordinances.

Direct Reports

The Senior Planner position reports to the Planning Manager of the Community and Economic Development Department. This position has no direct reports.