Principal Planner

Compensation Range

$97,988.80 - $124,134.40

Job Description Summary

The Principal Planner is the department resource and specific subject area expert in the planner series. Incumbents work under general direction to perform the most controversial and technically complex assignments and cases which require extensive coordination with other land use agencies, County departments and other agencies and ensure they are processed in accordance with County regulations.

The Principal Planner provides a senior leadership and supervision role under the direct supervision of the Planning Manager. The Principal Planner supervises and helps direct activities of planning personnel in the Planning Department. In the absence of the Planning Director and Planning Manager, the Principal Planner shall act in the next line of succession and can provide direction to planning personnel as he or she sees fit.

The Principal Planner position shall possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Possess strong writing skills and the ability to articulate ideas clearly and effectively.

• Can work independently or in a team environment as needed, and coordinates with other County departments as necessary.

• Must be able to review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and apply them to land use applications.

• Must be qualified to process the most complicated land use cases.

• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills in order to convey ideas and plans, and present research findings to Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, various other committees, citizens and other stakeholders.

• Excellent customer service skills and a desire to go above and beyond to provide solutions to stakeholder, developer, and citizen questions and concerns.

• Expert knowledge of planning principles and practices, as well as federal, state and local codes, ordinances and regulations.

• Expert knowledge of one or more planning specializations, such as historic preservation, economic development, transportation planning, or environmental planning

• Knowledge of computer programs, including Microsoft Office, Internet applications, website development, database management, or GIS.

Job Description

The following job duties are established to outline the basic duties and responsibilities of the above captioned position. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Daily Duties (60%):

• Advises, performs, and manages complex and sensitive professional planning projects, research, and analysis.

• Performs planning duties related to grant administration & other department projects.

• Prepares and presents a variety of reports relating to various planning projects.

• Assist with land use research as requested.

• Assists code compliance on actions necessary to correct deficiencies or violations of permit regulations.

• Handles and processes current land use cases and assists with long-range planning.

• Follow policies and procedures, the Weld County Code of Conduct and adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines and appropriate release of information outlined in both.

Supervisory Duties (30%):

• Supervises planning staff, as assigned.

• Assigns planning applications to planning personnel.

• Supervises and reviews the work of planning personnel for accuracy and completeness.

• Provides a leadership and mentoring role for planning personnel.

Other Duties as Assigned (10%):

• Actively supports and upholds the County's mission and values.

• Contributes to supporting organizational goals and priorities.

• Attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field.

• Performs related work as required.

• Not all duties mentioned may be applicable to every position, and the examples provided do not encompass all possible duties that may exist within this job classification.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in planning, landscape area, or related field.

Required Experience:

• Six (6) years of practical experience in a public sector planning office and training experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Eight (8) years of practical experience in in a public sector planning office and training experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted for a Masters' degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in planning, landscape area, or related field.

• Eight (8) years of practical experience in a public sector planning office or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Must possess a driver's license by the employment start date and maintain a valid license for the duration of employment.

• Preferred American Institute of Certified Planning (AICP)

This position is exempt from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore ineligible for overtime pay.

As an applicant for this position, you should be aware of Senate Bill 19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The act requires employers to announce the pay range for job openings. This range encompasses the nine pay steps available should you receive the position and demonstrate satisfactory performance over time.

Weld County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.