Principal City Planner - Long Range Planning

Lafayette Recruitment Team • Lafayette, CO

2d • $93,677 - $131,127

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 position handles complex planning projects, development applications, policy initiatives, and long-range planning efforts; 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 role performs specialized, complex, multi-dimensional planning and urban design work and supports the development of planning policies and design guidelines that influence the City’s urban form. It provides strategic direction on large, multidisciplinary regional design and construction projects in collaboration with key partners. Duties span current planning and long-range planning, including advising on land use and zoning, managing planning projects, analyzing data, preparing reports and visual materials, developing policy recommendations, coordinating public engagement, and mentoring staff.

The position works under the supervision of the Planning Manager or Planning and Building Director and may supervise other staff. It is primarily administrative and office-based, with some outside field research. The work involves regular interaction with the public and coworkers and requires independent judgment when applying departmental policies and procedures.

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.
• Knowledge of public planning functions, principles, methods, and techniques, including community planning, land-use planning, and zoning.
• Knowledge of land-use planning, development, regulations, and permitting principles and tools.
• Ability to conduct independent research, investigate planning issues, maintain effective working relationships, work independently, and complete assignments on time.
• Skill operating computers, spreadsheets, word-processing software, PowerPoint, and ArcMap GIS programs.
• Possession of a current and valid Colorado driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and verbally; direct, negotiate, and mediate; and exercise independent judgment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience with graphics design software such as Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp is highly desired but not required.
• Equivalent combinations of training and experience may be considered if they demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Advise commissions, City officials, agencies, and other partners on City goals, priorities, and regulations concerning land use, natural resources, conservation, infrastructure, transportation, and community livability.
• Explain zoning codes and development regulations to the public and advise other City agencies and boards on complex zoning issues.
• Respond to public, governmental, and professional inquiries.
• Deliver formal presentations to staff, the public, consultants, contractors, governmental entities, City Council, boards, and commissions.
• Guide, review, and evaluate planning initiatives for complex development projects; recommend plan modifications and alternatives.
• Develop innovative design strategies for infrastructure and public-space projects while accounting for financial and political requirements.
• Provide urban design direction on complex City design and construction projects; collaborate with engineers, architects, staff, consultants, and contractors; and prepare, review, or approve designs, plans, specifications, and contract documents.
• Bring partners with differing views and interests together to complete planning projects successfully.
• Work with City leaders, elected officials, and other partners to set 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 programs and design reviews to ensure projects meet program scope, planning criteria, and standards, coordinating with partners and approving agencies.
• Analyze data, formulate recommendations, and prepare reports.
• Support comprehensive and specific City plans and the development and implementation of planning standards and criteria; develop City policy concerning growth, land use, transportation, natural resources, housing, and resource use.
• Prepare graphics, maps, charts, and other visual materials to communicate complex technical information to internal and external audiences.
• Research planning, design, and development issues; gather community input to establish priorities, identify problems, and develop proposals.
• Support long- and short-term design initiatives and identify and advance design criteria, development criteria, and process improvements.
• Provide strategic advice on long- and short-term planning initiatives and develop policy and strategic alternatives and recommendations on visible or sensitive issues.
• 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; direct community engagement as part of the design process.
• Develop and apply regulatory frameworks, including design criteria, standards, guidelines, technical procedures, 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 process and customer-service improvements and coordinate consultants, contractors, and employees assigned to projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401A retirement plan with a 10.2% City contribution and an 8% employee contribution; immediately 100% vested upon hire.
• Life insurance equal to one year’s salary, up to $150,000, with an equal amount of AD&D coverage.
• Tuition assistance of up to $5,000 per year for approved expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program, including counseling, travel assistance, and legal aid.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Bilingual pay.
• Deferred compensation and Roth options.
• Voluntary life insurance and AD&D.
• Identity theft program.
• Recreation Center pass.
• Wellness Punch Card with 100 annual punches for use at facilities such as the golf course and waterpark.
• First-year employees accrue 80 hours of vacation.
• Sick leave.
• Floating holiday leave.
• 11.5 paid City holidays.
• Other leave programs, including FMLA, parental, and bereavement leave.

What This Job Offers

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