Assistant Planner

City of Lone Tree • Lone Tree, CO

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Planner is an entry-level position in the City of Lone Tree Planning Division. Under the general supervision of the Principal Planner, the position performs professional current planning work, including reviewing development applications and building permits, conducting site inspections, and administering and enforcing the Comprehensive Plan, zoning and subdivision codes, design standards, and related regulations. The role also supports Planning Division administrative processes and coordinates with City departments, consultants, agency partners, applicants, and the public. Public presentations and occasional meetings outside regular business hours may be required.

The position handles daily current planning activities and general customer support, applying planning and land-use review knowledge with regular instruction and assistance. It coordinates application tracking and development review processes; advises the public and prospective applicants on regulations, review processes, and requirements; reviews proposals and permits for compliance; prepares materials for public meetings; conducts inspections; and supports planning projects through research, graphics, and administration of the Division’s Accela online application and permitting system.

This is an exempt, full-time position. The City’s business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; the actual schedule is determined upon hire and requires availability to work evenings and weekends. Flextime and hybrid remote work schedules are offered at managers’ discretion. The Planning Division offers a 3-2 schedule, with three days in the office and two remote, coordinated to ensure daily in-office presence. Work is mainly in an office setting with some outside fieldwork, including visits to construction, developed, and undeveloped sites.

The hiring range is $66,152–$81,036 annually, and the salary range is $66,152–$95,920 annually. The anticipated closing date is November 30, 2026; applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, urban design, community or regional development, natural resources, public administration, or a closely related field, and at least one year of relevant experience; or a master’s degree in one of these fields or a closely related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience demonstrating the required capabilities may qualify.
• Relevant work or internship experience in a planning, building, or engineering office, or a related field providing practical experience applicable to the position’s responsibilities.
• General understanding of planning principles and land-use review.
• Knowledge of local government planning objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, information services, and trends.
• Knowledge of zoning, land use, urban design, demographic, environmental, and social/economic concepts as applied to local government planning.
• Knowledge of planning terminology, symbols, methods, and techniques used in planning, site plans, and plats, and of site planning, architectural review, and design procedures.
• Interpersonal, oral, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic, professional, and educational backgrounds.
• Professionalism, integrity, credibility, thoroughness, flexibility, collaboration, diplomacy, and tact; ability to recognize when supervisor support is needed.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines, follow oral and written instructions, prioritize competing demands, manage multiple projects, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong attention to detail when reviewing regulations, development applications, plans, maps, and reports.
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise, complete correspondence, technical documents, and reports using professional writing conventions.
• Ability to learn quickly, apply critical thinking, research and analyze information, and solve practical problems.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, policies, procedures, regulations, specifications, site and building plans, environmental impact reports, data, and maps to development proposals.
• Ability to communicate technical requirements and procedures clearly to the public and people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate in a team while demonstrating initiative and sound independent judgment.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts, including fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions, to practical planning tasks.
• Ability to read and interpret site and building plans, maps, permits, plats, zoning documents, and related regulations, and determine compliance with applicable ordinances, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to uphold the American Planning Association’s Ethical Principles in Planning and align daily work with the City’s core values and organizational goals.
• Modern office procedures and methods, including computer equipment, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphic presentations, specialized software, and internet and electronic communication.
• Physical capability to operate motor vehicles safely in the normal course of assignments.
• Ability to perform work involving sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing, carrying, lifting, and continuous repetitive arm-hand-eye movement; may lift and carry up to 25 pounds for short periods.
• Visual acuity to read paper and electronic documents; ability to answer telephones, communicate in conversation, and respond to verbal inquiries.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of GIS and/or graphic programs such as SketchUp.
• Experience with Esri GIS software platforms, online or desktop.
• Experience with Smartsheet, Bluebeam, and Accella.
• Relevant internship experience in a planning, building, or engineering office, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Planning Division operations, including land use application tracking, webpage updates, and process improvements.
• Manage development review activities, including public notices, landowner notifications, staff report packets, public hearing schedules, document recordation, and project closeouts.
• Assist the public and development professionals with zoning, land use regulations, City master plans, design standards, and related policies.
• Consult with prospective applicants about appropriate review processes, application requirements, and site-specific planning guidance.
• Review development proposals for compliance with City codes, policies, design standards, and best planning practices, and collaborate with applicants on compliant solutions.
• Process land use applications of limited complexity; coordinate with referral agencies and community members; prepare materials for the Planning Commission and City Council; and present proposals at public meetings.
• Review building and grading permit applications for conformance with approved development plans and land use regulations.
• Assist the Associate Planner with sign permit reviews.
• Conduct on-site inspections to verify that exterior site and building plans comply with approved site plans before building permits and certificates of occupancy are issued.
• Prepare graphics, maps, charts, and tables of limited complexity for Planning Division projects, analyses, and operational needs.
• Research and compile information from multiple sources on planning-related topics to support projects, initiatives, and decision-making.
• Administer and oversee Accela, the Planning Division’s online application and permitting system, including routine system updates and configuration changes.
• Maintain accurate planning records and collect, compile, analyze, and present technical, statistical, and graphical information.
• Provide courteous, responsive customer service and explain technical requirements and procedures to the public.
• Apply planning regulations and review plans, maps, permits, plats, and related documents for compliance.
• Coordinate with City staff, government agencies, consultants, developers, property owners, and the public.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and supplemental health plans.
• Access to an onsite gym and the Lone Tree Recreation Center.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness initiatives.
• Employer-paid basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Voluntary life insurance options.
• Retirement savings options, including 457, 401(k), and Roth IRA plans, as well as participation in PERA and FPPA pension plans.
• RTD EcoPass for public transportation.
• Flextime and hybrid remote work schedules at managers’ discretion, consistent with City policies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level