Associate Planner

City of Lone Tree • Lone Tree, CO

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Planner performs professional current- and long-range-planning work under guidance, including plan reviews, planning studies, and activities related to administering, developing, and enforcing the Comprehensive Plan, zoning and subdivision codes, design standards, and other regulations. The role is part of the Planning Division and works with City departments, consultants, agency partners, applicants, and the public. It involves substantial public contact, public presentations, and occasional meetings outside regular working hours.

This is the full journey-level position in the Planning Division. The Associate Planner independently handles a broad range of planning activities, daily current-planning work, and more complex assignments, with latitude for initiative and judgment. The position works under the general supervision of the Principal Planner and does not exercise supervision over others.

The role reviews development proposals and permits, processes land-use applications, conducts inspections, prepares analyses and recommendations, and presents information to the Planning Commission, City Council, and public. It may also support specialized policy initiatives and projects, including hazard mitigation, parks and trails planning, and sustainability.

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 schedules may be offered at managers’ discretion. The Planning Division coordinates a 3-days-in-office, 2-days-remote schedule to maintain daily in-office coverage.

Requirements

• Qualifying education and experience through one of the following: a master’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 paid professional land-use planning experience; a bachelor’s degree in planning, urban design, community or regional development, natural resources, environmental studies, geography, public administration, or a closely related field and at least three years of progressively responsible planning experience; or an associate’s degree in geography, GIS, landscape architecture, environmental or natural resource sciences, or a closely related field and at least five years of progressively responsible planning experience.
• Experience in local government or private-sector planning performing duties comparable to those of an Associate Planner, as applicable to the qualifying education path.
• Knowledge of local-government planning principles, procedures, standards, practices, information services, and trends.
• Knowledge of zoning, land use, urban design, demographic, environmental, and social and economic concepts as applied to local-government planning.
• Knowledge of planning terminology, symbols, methods, and techniques; site plans and plats; site planning, architectural review, and design; and the roles and authorities of councils, commissions, and other participants in the planning process.
• Solid knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to planning.
• 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 explain policies and regulations accurately and tactfully to the public, including in language understandable to non-specialists.
• Outstanding presentation and public-speaking skills, including the ability to present information concisely at public meetings.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with people from varied cultural, economic, professional, and educational backgrounds.
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise, complete correspondence, technical documents, reports, and other written materials using professional writing conventions.
• Critical and creative thinking skills to assess complex planning issues, analyze data, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective courses of action.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions using abstract and concrete variables.
• Precision and attention to detail when reviewing plans, maps, and reports, balanced with awareness of broader organizational objectives.
• Professionalism, integrity, credibility, thoroughness, flexibility, collaboration, strong time management and organizational skills, and the ability to work under strict deadlines and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to take initiative, solve problems, adapt to different team and leadership frameworks, and work in a fast-paced professional environment.
• 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.
• Ability to operate motor vehicles safely as needed for assignments.
• Ability to perform the stated physical activities, including fieldwork at construction and developed or undeveloped sites, and to lift and carry up to 25 pounds for short periods.

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.

Responsibilities

• Assist the public and customers with zoning and land-use inquiries, answer technical questions, and provide information about applicable laws and regulations.
• Review development proposals for compliance with City codes, guidelines, policies, and planning practices, and work with applicants to refine plans and negotiate development solutions where possible.
• Process land-use applications through the development review process, including pre-submittal meetings, application reviews, communication with referral agencies and community members, preparation of materials for the Planning Commission and City Council, public presentations, and inspections for compliance with approved plans.
• Review building and grading permit applications for conformance with approved development plans and land-use regulations, and review sign permits.
• Conduct on-site inspections with the Building Division to verify development compliance with site plans before building permits and certificates of occupancy are issued.
• Gather and analyze data; prepare staff reports, maps, and public-hearing notices; formulate department recommendations; and present at public meetings.
• Research planning issues and prepare reports for the Planning Commission and City Council.
• Under the supervision of the Principal Planner and/or Planning Manager, prepare staff recommendations to the City Council and Planning Commission concerning development proposals.
• Assist the Planning Manager, Principal Planner, and/or Senior Planners with specialized policy initiatives and projects, potentially including hazard mitigation, parks and trails planning, and sustainability.
• Maintain accurate records and collect, compile, analyze, and present technical, statistical, and graphical planning and zoning information.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree