Senior Planner

El Paso County•El Paso, CO

12h•Onsite

About The Position

Bring your planning expertise to the forefront of community development with El Paso County! As an Associate Planner, Planner, or Senior Planner, you will help shape the future of our communities by guiding development projects from concept to completion. In this role, you’ll review zoning applications, plats, and development plans to ensure alignment with County codes and the Master Plan while serving as the primary contact and project manager for complex projects. You’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, present recommendations to boards and decision-makers, and play a key role in balancing growth, innovation, and community vision. This position offers the opportunity to solve complex challenges, mentor fellow planners, and grow within a clearly defined career progression path. If you’re ready to make a lasting impact where planning meets possibility, El Paso County, CO is the place to build your future. Every great community starts with a planner. Are you ready to be that person? All candidates must provide a Staff report you have composed or compiled and/or a project you have reviewed at the time of application submission. Associate Planner Hiring Range: $62,000.00 - $70,000.00 Annually Planner Hiring Range: $74,000.00 – $81,000.00 Annually Senior Planner Hiring Range: $83,000.00 - $90,000.00 Annually This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 4:30pm; subject to change. Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications. This planning position primarily focuses on providing information to the public regarding development regulations either in person, by telephone, or via email, and secondarily focuses on the review of land use applications for consistency with County policies and the Land Development Code. This position independently reviews and analyzes applications, plans, regulations, and other information and has the discretion and independent judgment to formulate recommendations regarding applications for moderately complex and occasionally controversial Site Development Plans, Uses by Special Review (USRs), subdivisions and other land development matters. Provides front counter assistance to walk-in customers regarding various land use questions and requests. Provides customer service as a member of Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT). Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in planning or a related field.
Four years of professional county/city land development review or planning experience may substitute for the required degree.
One year of planning experience.
Three years of experience in county, city, or regional planning; or Must successfully meet the requirements of the Planner matrix.
Five years of experience in county or city land development review; or Must successfully meet the requirements of the Planner matrix.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in planning or related field.
Master's degree in planning or a related field.
County experience with similar project load and complexity.
AICP Certification preferred
GIS proficiency preferred

Responsibilities

Independently reviews and analyzes data and formulates recommendations with respect to site development plans, USRs, replats, land development, and other planning issues.
Serves as Project Manager and provides the MDT members and customers with feedback on project requirements at Team Early Assistance meetings, including approvals required, project feasibility, distribution needs, application cost, and timeline estimates.
Responsible for reviewing projects for consistency with all applicable adopted plans, codes, and standards, identifying any related issues, and making appropriate recommendations.
Identifies acceptable options for project design and clarification on code interpretations and specific code language.
Responsible for actively participating in and making agreements, decisions, or commitments within the regulatory framework for an assigned project.
Responsible for being fully prepared for a project meeting, including understanding the project, researching current and historical information, and evaluating applicable Codes, County policies, and regulations.
Responsible for briefing their replacement when they cannot attend a scheduled project meeting.
Serves as the single point of contact for the customer and staff and keeps the team members informed of separate discussions and decisions with the customer when the team member is not present.
Responsible for the project team meeting the project schedule, including completing assignments by the established deadlines.
Responsible for inputting accurate information into the project tracking system.
Facilitates communications with public and private entities and individuals regarding land development, planning goals, and specific projects.
Prepares for public hearings by researching and preparing written reports to be submitted to the Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission, and Board of County Commissioners.
Facilitates the presentation of projects to the Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission, and Board of County Commissioners.
Advises engineers, site planners, and others engaged in development on proper land use and conformance with the Land Development Code.
Assists in special projects, including revisions to the Land Development Code.
Provides front counter, telephone, and web-based assistance and project scoping to customers regarding various land use questions and requests.
Works independently with Planning Customers and Clients.
Performs other duties as required
Responsible for coordinating projects from pre-application assistance to project close-out; reports project needs and solutions, as well as code shortcomings.
Assembles appropriate MDT to perform team-based project Early Assistance for the customer; organizes and facilitates the functions of MDTs.
Provides MDT and the customer with accurate feedback on project requirements at Team Early Assistance.
Schedules and chairs project meetings, requests assignment of appropriate MDT members, and ensures the appropriate levels and functions of staff are present at project meetings to facilitate decision-making.
Responsible for moving projects in meetings to decision-making.
Documents meeting results; prepares a tailored "road map" to assist the customer with processing a future application.
Coordinates processing and review of sketch plans, rezoning, preliminary plans, final plats, and related administrative and construction applications through the development review system.
Coordinates processing and review of administrative actions and related construction permits, consisting of complex Type B or simple Type C projects through development review system.
Coordinates input of technical review agencies and the public; meets with customers and staff of various agencies and County departments to ensure that issues are resolved, an efficient process is followed, and projects are reviewed within agreed upon timelines.
Independently reviews and analyzes data; formulates recommendations relating to occasional complex and controversial zoning applications, new subdivisions, land development, and other planning issues.
Responsible for reviewing projects for consistency with applicable adopted plans, codes, and standards, as well as preemptively identifying any related issues.
Identifies and proactively presents acceptable options for project design and clarification on code interpretations and specific code language.
Reports project needs and solutions as well as code shortcomings.
Communicates with public and private entities and individuals regarding land development, planning goals, and specific projects.
Prepares and presents staff reports to the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and the Board of County Commissioners for items being processed through the development review system.
Advises engineers, site planners, and others engaged in development on proper land use and conformance with the Land Development Code.
Facilitates issue resolution process and team decision-making; escalates decision-making to a higher authority if a policy decision is required and ensures timely resolution in accordance with the issue resolution process.
Actively maintains project files and provides proactive notice for project signoffs and permit issuance; coordinates preparation and processing of project-related legal documents.
Manages and performs special projects, which may include revisions to the Land Development Code, management or participation of long-range planning projects, and other assigned planning-related projects.
Maintains customer service and performance standards.
Serves as a role model and mentor for junior planners.
Serves as "planner of the day" by being the primary point of contact for walk-in or remote customers with technical planning questions or needs.
Assembles appropriate MDT via appointment or at the front counter to perform team-based project Early Assistance for the customer.
Documents meeting results and prepares a tailored "road map" to assist the customer with processing future applications.
Reviews and analyzes data then formulates conclusions with respect to complex or controversial development projects. Conclusions typically include required approvals, project feasibility, and distribution needs.
Communicates the respective application processing and review requirements to MDT members and the applicant at the Early Assistance meeting.
Coordinates the processing and conducts the plan review of complex development applications that require notice and/or a public hearing.
Responsible for reviewing applications for consistency with all adopted plans, codes, and standards.
Provides clarification on code interpretations and specific code language.
Organizes and facilitates the functions of MDTs.
Coordinates the input of technical review agencies and the public and meets with applicants and staff of various County departments and agencies to ensure that issues are resolved and an efficient process is followed.
Responsible for coordinating and participating as part of the project team from early assistance to project close-out.
Ensures that project close-out activities are completed in a timely manner.
Facilitates the issue resolution process, facilitates team decision making, escalates decision to higher authority if policy decision is required, and ensures timely resolution of issues in accordance with the issue resolution process.
Responsible for maintaining customer service and performance standards in a complex, controversial, or highly political environment.
Responsible for inputting accurate information into the El Paso County Development Review Program (EDARP).
Works with the MDT to ensure quality and effectiveness of the team and responsible for getting projects through to a decision point.
Works with the customer and team to achieve solutions to project issues.
Ensures that active project data is maintained and ensures preparation, review, and processing of project-related legal documents.
Ensures that adequate noticing for projects occurs and appropriate sign-off occurs prior to permit issuance.
Coordinates revisions to approvals if construction or design changes dictate revisions.
May mentor, train, and serve as a role model and mentor for all planners, including assisting with the processing and review of simple development applications that require notice and/or public hearing.
Recommends policy and Land Development Code changes and modifications.