COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Planner III

Planner III

Job Grade: 17

Department: Community Development

Reports To: Deputy Planning Director

General Description of Position

The Planner III performs advanced professional municipal planning work requiring independent judgment and a high level of accountability. The position manages a substantial workload and is assigned the department’s more complex and sensitive projects. Work includes both current and long‑range planning, including code interpretation and application, development review, ordinance work, and implementation planning. The Planner III serves as a lead planner on major initiatives such as pattern zone onboarding, area plans, and other citywide or district planning efforts. The position provides functional leadership by mentoring junior planners, supporting consistent review and staff report practices, and representing the department in public meetings and hearings. The Planner III works under general direction with limited day‑to‑day supervision and is expected to plan and execute work independently, coordinate across departments, and manage consultant‑supported projects including scope, schedule, budget, and deliverable quality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Interpret and apply applicable state, county, and local codes, ordinances, and regulations; provide consistent guidance to applicants, residents, and internal staff.
• Perform ministerial review and approval of development and subdivision applications when code‑compliant, including plats and related development requests; coordinate review comments across Planning, Engineering, Fire, and other departments.
• Review and process a range of development applications including plats, permits, site plans, variance and appeal requests, and rezonings; identify issues early and guide applicants toward compliant solutions.
• Prepare accurate, clear, and legally defensible staff reports, findings, and recommendations; present items and answer questions at Planning Commission, City Council, and other public meetings as assigned.
• Advise the Planning Commission and City Council on rezonings, variances/appeals, code amendments, and other quasi‑judicial and legislative items, including procedure, standards, options, and policy implications.
• Assist with updates and maintenance of the Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations; lead or support implementation efforts such as area plans, pattern zone onboarding, and targeted code updates.
• Conduct research and analysis in specific or general project areas; synthesize data into practical recommendations and implementation steps.
• Identify community problems, issues, and opportunities in neighborhoods and corridors; develop strategies to mitigate issues and advance community goals through planning and regulations.
• Develop long‑range plans for districts and neighborhoods with common development issues; support plan adoption and ongoing implementation.
• Develop strategies to promote economic development, community development, housing, and efficient land use consistent with community goals and adopted plans.
• Write, or assist in writing, ordinances, regulations, staff guidance, and related materials addressing development controls and process improvements.
• Coordinate with Engineering and other departments on infrastructure constraints, development standards, and project sequencing; support predictable, timely development review.
• Initiate actions necessary to address deficiencies or violations of regulations; coordinate with Code Compliance and other staff as appropriate and document actions taken.
• Provide information to developers, builders, property owners, and the public related to development requirements, application procedures, and timelines; elevate technical items when appropriate.
• Provide functional leadership by mentoring junior planners, supporting consistent review practices, and serving as a lead on complex cases and major planning initiatives.
• Attend regular evening meetings, typically about once per week, and occasional weekend meetings as required.
• Maintain professional competency through continuous learning and awareness of current trends and best practices in municipal planning.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Education: Graduate degree (M.B.A., M.A., etc.)
• Experience General: 7 years related experience and/or training.
• Experience Management: 3 years related management experience.

Work Skills

• Analytical Ability/ Problem Solving: Moderately directed; applies wide‑ranging policies to various situations.
• Planning: Considerable responsibility regarding planning assignments and group work.
• Decision Making: Performs work allowing frequent opportunity for decision‑making of minor and major importance.
• Supervision Received: Works from policies and general directives; rarely refers specific cases to supervisor.
• Accuracy: High probability of few errors; focuses on reliability of information.
• Communication Skills: Advanced written and verbal communication; effective presentation on complex topics.
• Mathematical Skills: Capable of calculating figures, applying ratios, and performing advanced calculations.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Defines problems, collects data, draws valid conclusions, and interprets complex instructions.
• Mental Demand: Intense mental demand; requires sustained directed thinking for complex tasks.

Accountabilities

• Freedom to Act: Moderately directed; guided by general policies.
• Annual Monetary Impact: Very small; job contributes up to $100,000 annually.
• Impact Of Job On End Results: Moderate impact; contributes to department and organization outcomes.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Required: AICP

Contacts With Public and Employees

• Contacts With Employees: Regular contacts with other departments, mid‑level positions, and supervisors.
• Contacts With Public: Engages with patrons, provides information, and influences decisions.

Machines, Equipment & Computers

• Use of Machines, Equipment and Computers: Regular use of advanced software programs and specialized equipment.

Software Ability

• Database: Basic
• Presentation/PowerPoint: Advanced
• Spreadsheet: Intermediate
• Word Processing/Typing: Intermediate

Work Environment

• Noise level: Moderate (business office with computers/printers, light traffic).
• Work near moving mechanical parts: Never
• Work in high, precarious places: Never
• Fumes or airborne particles: Never
• Toxic or caustic chemicals: Never
• Outdoor weather conditions: Never
• Wet or humid conditions: Never
• Extreme cold: Never
• Extreme heat: Never
• Risk of electrical shock: Never
• Work with explosives: Never
• Risk of radiation: Never
• Vibration: Never
• Working Conditions: Periodically exposed to elements such as noise, intermittent standing, walking, pushing, carrying, or lifting; none are disagreeable.

Physical Demands

• Physical Activities
  • Stand: Never
  • Walk: Never
  • Sit: Frequently
  • Use hands to finger, handle, or feel: Occasionally
  • Reach with hands and arms: Occasionally
  • Climb or balance: Never
  • Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: Never
  • Talk or hear: Occasionally
  • Taste or smell: Never
• Weight Lifted
  • Up to 10 pounds: Frequently
  • Up to 25 pounds: Never
  • Up to 50 pounds: Never
  • Up to 100 pounds: Never
  • More than 100 pounds: Never
• Vision Requirements
  • Close vision (use of a computer, equipment, or any other work duties that require clear vision within two feet or less).
  • Distance vision (driving vehicles or equipment; work duties such as surveying that require clear vision at twenty feet or more).
  • Color vision (interpreting color software screens or reports; work duties that require the ability to identify and distinguish colors).
  • Ability to adjust focus (work duties that require the ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus at various distances or focal lengths).

Additional Information

• Well‑developed knowledge of planning principles and practices.
• In‑depth knowledge of one or more planning specialization, such as economic development, transportation planning, or environmental planning.
• Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection.
• Knowledge of effective writing techniques.
• Knowledge of or experience in community remediation and redevelopment, and knowledge of relevant Federal programs.
• Statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, econometric or transportation modeling, database management, city asset and business process management software, or GIS.

Job Details

• Category: All Employment Job Postings
• Status: Open
• Salary: Minimum of $74,075 - $78,704 (exempt), higher depending on experience.
• Posted: April 1, :05 AM
• Closing: Open until filled