Principal City Planner - Long Range Planning

Lafayette•Lafayette, CO

About The Position

The City of Lafayette is recruiting for one vacancy that may be filled at either the Principal City Planner – Long Range Planning or Long Range Planning Manager level, depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. The Principal City Planner performs highly advanced professional planning work and serves as a planning subject matter expert. The role handles the department’s most complex planning projects, development applications, and policy initiatives; contributes to long-range planning; provides technical guidance and mentorship to planning staff; coordinates consultants and key partners; and advises the Planning Manager, Planning and Building Director, City leadership, boards, commissions, and the public. The position may supervise planning staff and act on behalf of the Planning Manager as assigned. The position provides professional planning and urban design expertise across current and long-range planning. It advises on land use, natural resources, conservation, municipal infrastructure, transportation, and community livability; reviews complex development projects; develops innovative design strategies; and provides strategic direction for large, multidisciplinary city design and construction projects. It independently develops and manages scopes of work for complex long-range planning projects, including policy and regulatory analysis, public engagement, data collection, schedules, and budgets. The role also contributes to comprehensive and specific plans, planning standards, City policy, reports, graphics, maps, and recommendations. The position collaborates with city staff, officials, consultants, contractors, governmental agencies, and community partners; leads community engagement; coaches and mentors staff; and supports organizational performance, process improvement, and customer service. Work is primarily administrative and indoors, with some outside field research. The position works under the supervision of the Planning Manager or Planning and Building Director and may supervise the work of other staff.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Engineering, or a related field.
At least eight years of municipal planning experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of public planning functions, principles, methods, and techniques, including community planning, land use planning, and zoning.
Knowledge of principles and tools relevant to land use planning, development regulations, and permitting.
Ability to conduct independent research, investigate planning-related problems, maintain effective working relationships, work independently, and complete assignments in a timely manner.
Skill operating computers, spreadsheets, word-processing and PowerPoint software, and ArcMap GIS programs.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and verbally; make effective presentations; negotiate, mediate, and work with the public and coworkers.
Possess a current and valid Colorado driver’s license or be able to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience with graphics design software such as Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp.

Responsibilities

Serve as a technical advisor and consultant to commissions, City officials, agencies, and other partners on City goals, priorities, and regulations related to land use, natural resources, conservation, infrastructure, transportation, and livability.
Explain zoning codes and development regulations, respond to public and governmental inquiries, and provide advice on complex zoning issues.
Deliver formal presentations to staff, the public, consultants, contractors, government entities, City Council, boards, commissions, and other parties.
Guide, review, and evaluate complex and multifaceted development projects; recommend plan modifications and alternative solutions.
Develop innovative design strategies for infrastructure and public-space projects while balancing design excellence with financial and political requirements.
Provide strategic urban design direction for large, multidisciplinary city design and construction projects; coordinate with engineers, architects, staff, consultants, and contractors; and prepare, review, and approve designs, plans, specifications, and contract documents.
Bring partners with opposing views and interests together to complete planning projects successfully.
Work with City leaders, elected officials, and partners to establish design priorities, define objectives, and develop plans.
Independently develop and manage scopes of work for complex long-range planning projects, including policy and regulatory analysis, public engagement, data collection, schedules, and budgets.
Participate in capital improvement program formation and review project designs to ensure program scope, planning criteria, and standards are met.
Analyze data, conduct complex research, formulate recommendations, and prepare reports on planning, design, and development issues.
Support comprehensive and specific city plans and the development and implementation of planning standards and criteria.
Develop City policy and strategic alternatives concerning growth, land use, transportation, natural resources, housing, and resource utilization; make recommendations on highly visible or sensitive issues.
Prepare visual materials, including advanced graphics, maps, and charts, to communicate technical and complex information.
Support long- and short-term design initiatives; identify and advance design and development criteria and process improvements.
Coach, mentor, and lead staff on planning and urban design matters.
Advise internal departments, public agencies, external organizations, the public, and other interested parties on urban design and long-range planning issues.
Direct community engagement as an integral part of the design process and develop and apply regulatory frameworks, design criteria, standards, guidelines, and quality-control procedures.
Assist with data collection for annual reports and economic development projects; may serve as a liaison to City boards and commissions.
Develop and direct organizational performance strategies to meet long- and short-range goals and objectives.
Keep informed about regulations, pending legislation, and planning trends that may affect City projects, policies, and processes.
Lead implementation of process and customer-service improvements.
Coordinate the work of consultants, contractors, and employees assigned to specific projects.
Perform other related duties as assigned.