Sign Section Planner III - Planning & Development

City of Phoenix; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Plan

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

The City of Phoenix is seeking a Planner III to supervise the Sign section of the Planning and Zoning Division and lead the training of Sign Inspectors and a Planner II. You will guide sign regulation updates, enforcement procedures, and cross‑department collaboration to ensure compliant development and safe signage.

This role reports to the Deputy Director and requires strong customer service and project oversight.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in urban planning, including three years at Planner II level.
• Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field; substitutions possible.
• Subject to criminal background check; valid driver's license may be required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Sign section of the Planning and Zoning Division and manage workload and training of Sign Inspectors and a Planner II.
• Provide technical advice on sign regulations and enforcement; coordinate with Neighborhood Services, City Prosecutor, Street Transportation and other department staff.
• Coordinate with the Sign Industry to improve communication, update the Zoning Ordinance sign section, and ensure timely sign reviews and enforcement.

Skills

Urban Planning

Zoning Ordinances

Staff Supervision

Public Presentations

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban planning

Job description

About This Position

The Planning & Development Department guides the physical development of the city by preserving our historic sites, planning what can be built where, and ensuring safe construction of buildings and infrastructure. A host of advisory and governing bodies of residents as well as elected officials provide oversight as the city grows and needs arise. The process is governed through development and enforcement of city codes and ordinances.

The Planning & Development Department guides the physical development of the city by preserving our historic sites, planning what can be built where, and ensuring safe construction of buildings and infrastructure. A host of advisory and governing bodies of residents as well as elected officials provide oversight as the city grows and needs arise. The process is governed through development and enforcement of city codes and ordinances.

This Planner III is responsible for supervising the Sign section of the Planning and Zoning Division and managing the workload and training of Sign Inspectors and a Planner II, participating in developing process improvements, providing feedback regarding sign regulations, and sign review and enforcement protocol. Other responsibilities include providing technical advice and assistance regarding sign regulations and enforcement, working with the city Neighborhood Services, City Prosecutor, Street Transportation and Planning & Development Department staff on sign issues.

The Planner III will work with the Sign Industry to improve communication and coordination and be responsible for updates to the Zoning Ordinance sign section. Critical customer service and processes overseen by this position include support of the Sign Counter, rezoning analysis for the sign elements of PUDs, zoning adjustment, comprehensive sign plans, and special projects. The Planner III will also be responsible for ensuring critical functions and time frames necessary for department operations and legal requirements are met by staff. This position would report to the Deputy Director.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Knowledge of local, state or, federal requirements, with an emphasis on zoning ordinance and general plan implementation and updates.

SALARY

Pay Range: $90,459.20 to $133,660.80 annually.

Hiring Range: $90,459.20 to $121,243.20 annually.

Pay Range Explanation

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Promotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade increase.
• Demotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade decrease.
• Lateral transfers occur when there is no change to the last two digits of the pay grade.
• When there is a change in the first digit of the pay grade, there may also be a change to your classification or unit.

Benefits

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information.
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions.
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans.
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan.
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually.
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Employer paid long-term disability.
• Free Bus/light rail pass.
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year.
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days.
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period.
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi.

For more details, visit: Unit 007 Benefits

Minimum Qualifications

• Five years of experience in urban planning, including three years at the level of Planner II.
• Bachelor's degree in urban or city planning, landscape architecture, engineering, architecture, political science, a related field, or a field related the specialty area.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
• The City job description can be found here.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience in Municipal Planning or a related field.
• Five or more years of experience working with zoning requests, site plans, and other planning and development related submittals.
• Experience interpreting and administering a zoning ordinance or planning and development related codes and regulations.
• Experience working on text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and/or rezoning cases.
• Experience working with hearing bodies, and making public presentations.
• Experience or training regarding the supervision of staff.
• Experience managing complex projects and/or programs.
• Experience managing multiple projects.

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes October 7, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

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REFERENCE

Planner III, JC:18230, ID# 62960, 09/23/36, USM, SG, Benefits:007

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City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.