Planner I /Planner II / Senior Planner - Long-Range Transportation Planning Assignment

The current vacancy is for the Long-Range Transportation Planning Assignment and will be filled at either the Planner I, Planner II, or Senior Planner level.  

First review of applications will be Monday, September 21, 2026, and weekly thereafter until vacancy filled.

Planner I ($63,936.50 - $92,983.49 annually)

A Planner I performs specific entry-level, professional planning tasks involving research and analysis in the following areas:  Subdivision Review, Long-Range Planning, Planning and Zoning Board Case Review, Zoning Administration, or Design Review.  Tasks include:  conducting research, analyzing data, evaluating findings, and identifying best practices as it relates to the General Plan and Mesa Zoning ordinance potential modifications; reviewing submissions against the General Plan and City ordinances; providing information and some explanation to developers, architects, and the general public about the City’s ordinances (Zoning, Sign, Manufactured Home/Recreational Vehicle, and Subdivision), and development standards of various divisions and departments as well as policy direction from boards and Council; processing applications to the Planning and Zoning Board, Board of Adjustment, and the Design Review Board including writing reports and making oral presentations; processing annexation requests; reviewing and processing administrative review cases including preparing the approval letters; reviewing and processing subdivisions; and analyzing land-use patterns and demographic patterns.  This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.

Long-Range Transportation Planning Assignment:  Performs planning work to support the City’s long-range transportation and mobility goals.  Collects, compiles, and analyzes transportation, land use, demographic, and development data to identify trends and support planning efforts.  Researches current transportation planning practices and assists in reviewing reports, plans, studies, development proposals, site plans, schematics, and technical drawings for consistency with City plans, policies, and standards.  Supports implementation of assigned elements of the Mesa General Plan, Mesa Transportation Master Plan, and other transportation plans and studies.  Researches grant opportunities and assists with related grant activities.  Collaborates with Planning Division staff and other City departments on transportation and land use planning initiatives, including zoning amendments and development proposals that impact transportation and mobility.

A Planner I is distinguished from a Planner II by the latter's work experience with the City and continuing capacity to perform at journey-level in at least two of the recognized functional areas.  Employees in this class may progress by noncompetitive promotion to Planner II upon meeting the specific criteria-based promotion requirements.  A Planner I is trained and supervised by a Planner II, Senior Planner, or Principal Planner through observation, discussion, and review of reports.  The full-time position for this class is FLSA exempt-administrativeand  the part-time is FLSA nonexempt.  The part-time, non-benefited position has been designated as a non-classified, non-merit system, at-will position.

Planner II ($74,017.01 - $107,644.37 annually)

A Planner II performs professional-level planning work involving research, analysis, and technical assistance on major projects.  Employees are expected to perform at a journey-level capacity in the following functional areas:  long-range planning, planning and zoning review, design review, subdivision, zoning administration, permit plans review, or historical and cultural resource reviews and preservation.  Responsibilities may vary by assignment and can include conducting preliminary and final plat review; reviewing development proposals for consistency with adopted standards and regulations; providing staff support and reports to various boards, committees, and Council; conducting technical research, analyzing data, evaluating findings, identifying significant issues, determining options, and developing staff recommendations; and conferring with engineers, developers, architects, other City staff, outside agencies, and the general public to acquire information and coordinate planning issues, apply codes, laws, standards, and regulations to ensure applications and development are in compliance with the City’s ordinances and development standards of various units and departments, as well as policy direction from boards and Council.  A Planner II may assist in training new and entry-level staff and/or may be assigned supervisory duties.  This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.

Long-Range Transportation Planning Assignment:  Conducts transportation and land use planning activities that support the City’s long-range mobility and development goals.  Collects, compiles, analyzes, and interprets transportation, land use, demographic, and development data to identify trends, evaluate transportation needs, and inform planning recommendations.  Reviews and evaluates reports, plans, studies, development proposals, site plans, schematics, and technical drawings to assess consistency with City plans, policies, and standards, while identifying potential impacts to the transportation network.  Implements and assists in updating assigned elements of the Mesa General Plan, Mesa Transportation Master Plan, and other transportation plans, policies, and studies.  Researches transportation planning practices and emerging issues, applying findings to City programs and policies.  Identifies and evaluates grant opportunities and assists with the preparation and administration of transportation planning grants.  Collaborates with Planning Division staff, Transportation staff, other City departments, outside agencies, consultants, and stakeholders on transportation and land use planning initiatives, including zoning amendments and development policies affecting mobility and transportation.

This class is distinguished from the Planner I class by having greater planning experience with the City, the continuing capacity to perform at the journey-level, and the thorough understanding of the zoning ordinance and council’s policy direction contained within various city plans.  Employees may progress to this class by noncompetitive promotion upon meeting the specific criteria-based promotion requirements.  This class is supervised by a Senior Planner, Principal Planner, Assistant Planning Director, or Planning Director who reviews work through conferences, meetings, reports, and results achieved.  This class is FLSA exempt-administrative.

Senior Planner ($81,610.88 - $118,687.71 annually)

A Senior Planner performs advanced-level professional planning work of considerable difficulty and manages complex planning projects to completion.  Areas of assignment may include current planning, long-range planning, long-range transportation planning, urban design, and transportation planning.  Employees in this class may also serve as a staff liaison for regional and local planning agencies and City boards such as the Planning and Zoning Board, Design Review Board, or Board of Adjustment depending upon assignment.

Long-Range Transportation Planning Assignment:  Leads complex transportation and land use planning efforts that advance the City’s long-range mobility and development objectives.  Collects, compiles, analyzes, and interprets transportation, land use, demographic, and development data to identify trends, evaluate transportation needs, and develop high-level planning recommendations.  Conducts research on best practices and analyzes transportation and land use information to support the City’s mobility goals.  Reviews and interprets reports, plans, and studies to inform recommendations and assess potential impacts on the transportation network.  Leads planning initiatives by evaluating development proposals for consistency with City plans, policies, and standards by interpreting site plans, schematics, and technical drawings.  Implements assigned elements of the Mesa General Plan, Mesa Transportation Master Plan, and other transportation plans and studies.  Researches and identifies grant opportunities to advance transportation planning goals and coordinates with Planning Division staff on zoning amendments related to transportation and land use planning.

The Senior Planner class is distinguished from the Planner II by the responsibility for serving as a primary subject matter specialist in the area of assignment.  This class is supervised by a Principal Planner, Assistant Planning Director, the Planning Director, or a Supervising Engineer (based on assignment) who reviews work through meetings, conferences, and results achieved.  This class is FLSA exempt-administrative.

Please refer to the links below for the full job descriptions and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.

Employee Values:  All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Planner I:

Minimum Qualifications Required.  Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, or a related field.  Some (6 months - 1 year) experience in conducting research and analyzing problems and issues related to City planning and land-use controls.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications.  Certification and Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners and National and State Planning Associations are highly desirable.  Registration as an Architect or Landscape Architect and ArcView/ArcInfo experience is highly desirable.  Internet/web page development is also desirable.

Planner II:

Minimum Qualifications Required.  Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Urban Design, or related field.  At least two years’ professional planning experience.  

Special Requirement.  Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver’s License within 90 days of hire or promotion date.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications.  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in the same fields of study is preferred.  Certification and membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners and National and State Planning Associations are preferred.  Registration as an Architect or Landscape Architect is highly desirable.  Good (1 - 3 years) experience reviewing development proposals, working with databases and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and/or ArcView, and experience with group facilitation are also highly desirable.  Internet and/or web page development is desirable.  

Senior Planner:

Minimum Qualifications Required.  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Transportation Planning, or a related field (based on assignment).  

Special Requirement.  Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver’s License within 90 days of hire or promotion date.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications.  American Institute of Certified Planners certification and graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree are highly desirable. 

Planner I: https://apps.mesaaz.gov/jobdescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs4353.pdf 

Planner II: https://apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs4553.pdf 

Senior Planner: https://apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs4842.pdf