Senior City Planner for Development Projects

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

1d • $80,217 - $132,358 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior City Planner for Development Projects directs and manages the coordinated review process for new development projects, including complex, large-scale, and multi-phased projects. Serving as a single point of contact from project inception through completion, the planner helps ensure that project review and approval is timely, coordinated, efficient, and predictable, with a focus on successful project outcomes. The role is a project-management liaison rather than an advocate for a project.

The planner meets with customers during early conceptual stages to explain milestones and critical paths, manages project updates, resolves conflicts involving policies, codes, and regulations, and tracks project history through review and approval. The role works with the Associate City Planner for Development Projects, multi-agency review teams, City departments and agencies, and external entities. It is part of the Site Design and Neighborhood Development team in Denver’s Community Planning and Development Department. The position is based at the Wellington Webb Building in Denver and follows the City’s hybrid workplace practice, currently requiring at least three in-office days per week.

The City and County of Denver lists a salary range of $80,217–$132,358 per year, with typical new-hire pay of $90,000–$100,000 based on education and experience. The position is listed as unlimited. The City provides a range of benefits for full-time employees.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management, Public Administration, Business, or a related field.
• Five years of professional experience reviewing development projects, rezoning, or amendment requests.
• One year of appropriate experience may substitute for each required year of post-high-school education.
• Experience managing and coordinating complex, large-scale, or multi-phased development projects, balancing multiple active projects and competing priorities.
• Experience with development review, plan review, permitting, or entitlement processes, including evaluating proposals for compliance with applicable regulations, codes, standards, or guidelines.
• Knowledge of zoning, land use, architecture, site planning and engineering, development review, and development principles, practices, and processes.
• Experience serving as a primary point of contact and coordinating development projects among stakeholders such as developers, property owners, architects, engineers, consultants, government agencies, and internal review teams.
• Strong analytical, project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate complex information, manage competing priorities, and develop solutions to challenging development and regulatory issues.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills, including explaining complex regulatory requirements, navigating difficult conversations, managing expectations, and communicating with varied audiences.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and disciplines, resolve competing or conflicting priorities, and build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in professional planning, architecture, engineering, development, or a related field in a municipal development review environment or on the applicant/development side.
• Ability to work as part of a team supporting internal and external customers; self-motivated and motivated to help others.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the Associate City Planner for Development Projects and the multi-agency review team to ensure reviews and approvals are completed accurately and effectively.
• Provide customer service and help development projects move efficiently through the development review and approval process.
• Manage large-scale and multi-phased developments through infrastructure, site planning, and subdivision phases.
• Coordinate with City agencies and departments to implement city plans, regulations, and policies through the review process.
• Assist with development of zoning code amendments, Urban Design Standards and Guidelines, open space and parks plans, infrastructure design, Development Agreements, and capital improvement review.
• Provide urban design review and guidance for projects within Design Review Districts.
• Manage review responsibilities across assigned projects within the Site Design and Neighborhood Development team.
• Facilitate coordinated review across agencies, resolve conflicts, and support final project approvals.
• Apply relevant codes and support successful place-making and well-designed outcomes through development plan proposal review.
• Review development permit applications for completeness, accuracy, and regulatory conformance, and coordinate their distribution to appropriate sections and agencies within established timeframes.
• Balance multiple projects of different scopes and scales, work with City departments, agencies, and external agencies, and manage customer expectations.
• Meet with customers early in the conceptual development process, explain milestones and critical paths, provide project updates, resolve conflicts, and track and document project history through review and approval.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective within one month of the start date, with the City paying the majority of premiums.
• Pension plan for life; employee contribution of 8.45% and employer match of 17.95%.
• 457(b) retirement plan with no early withdrawal fee.
• Paid time off of over three weeks in the first year and 14 paid holidays.
• Merit increases.
• Short-term disability and long-term disability coverage.
• Health savings account and flexible spending account options.
• Life insurance.
• CARE Bank and family leave benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee Volunteer Program.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $2,000 per year.
• Eligibility for the Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Learning and development opportunities, courses, and career development resources.
• EcoPass providing unlimited free RTD bus and train rides.
• Parking-specific flexible spending account option allowing pre-tax dollars to be used for parking.

What This Job Offers

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