Strategic Principal Planner

City of Goodyear, AZ; Goodyear (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Goodyear is seeking a Principal Planner to lead complex urban planning initiatives, from rezoning and use permits to long-range policy implementation. You will manage high-profile cases, prepare staff reports, and present findings to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Planning and at least five years in municipal planning, with strong communication, mentoring, and interagency collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• Formal education: Bachelor's degree in Planning or related field.
• Experience: Minimum five years in municipal environment or equivalent, conducting plan review, writing professional reports, and making public presentations.
• Certifications and Other Requirements: Valid Driver’s License.
• Reading: Ability to read plans, zoning ordinances, codes, guidelines, state statutes, policies, trade journals, and reports.
• Math: Ability to perform general math calculations and algebraic/statistical calculations.
• Writing: Ability to write general correspondence, reports, letters, and memorandums.
• Managerial: Lead worker with oversight, training, and scheduling responsibilities.
• Policy/Decision Making: Significant — follow SOPs with complex decisions.
• Technical Skills: Comprehensive practical knowledge with analytical judgment.

Responsibilities

• Manages complex and sensitive planning cases aligned with long-range objectives.
• Represents the City on committees and coordinates interjurisdictional planning efforts.
• Prepares and delivers presentations to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
• Engages applicants and property owners throughout the project lifecycle.
• Conducts site visits and field assessments to verify conditions and inform recommendations.
• Coaches and trains associate and journey level planners.
• Contributes to policy and guideline refinements to improve development outcomes.

Skills

Stakeholder coordination

Public presentations

Coaching/mentoring

Policy communication

Analytical judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Planning or related field

Job description

The City of Goodyear is seeking a Principal Planner to lead complex urban planning initiatives, from rezoning and use permits to long-range policy implementation. You will manage high-profile cases, prepare staff reports, and present findings to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Planning and at least five years in municipal planning, with strong communication, mentoring, and interagency collaboration skills.