Principal Planner

City of Tucson • Tucson, AZ

1d • $32 - $48 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Planner position at the City of Tucson’s Planning and Development Services Department leads community planning, land use, and code development initiatives. The position develops and implements amendments to the Unified Development Code, land use plans, and related policies; researches best practices and develops regulatory and policy recommendations and presents recommendations to the public, boards and commissions, and Mayor and Council. The Principal Planner also provides technical and program leadership and supervises Long Range Planning Team personnel. Work is performed under the supervision of the Long Range Planning Section Manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Three (3) years of relevant experience
• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• A valid and unrestricted driver’s license with two (2) years of licensed driving is required.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning or closely related field, such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography, or Public Policy.
• Experience in Planning, Zoning, and Public Policy Development.
• American Planning Association: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Responsibilities

• Researches best practices and develops amendments, revisions, and new sections of the Unified Development Code and related regulations.
• Reviews, annexations, rezonings, and zoning modifications on a limited basis, with emphasis on cases that inform code and policy development.
• Manages special projects and initiatives, including zoning code updates, or planning initiatives and prepares electronic documents and presentations to communicate complex planning, regulatory, and policy information.
• Conducts technical analysis of housing, land use, transportation, economic and demographic data to inform code updates, policy recommendations, and long range planning initiatives.
• Develops and implements public outreach and community engagement strategies to support code amendments and long range planning initiatives, and incorporates community input into recommendations.
• Supervises Lead Planners and Planners on the Long Range Planning Team, including assigning work, reviewing performance, providing guidance, and fostering opportunities for professional growth.
• Visits sites periodically to conduct site analysis for proposed or ongoing development.
• Performs all other duties and tasks as assigned.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage
• pension plan
• optional Roth and pretax deferred compensation savings
• 38 paid days off in the first year of employment
• twelve weeks of paid parental leave
• paid tuition reimbursement
• student loan repayment
• off- and on-the-job training
• opportunities to forge connections with peers and the community through employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours.

What This Job Offers

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