Principal Planner - Community Development (0726)

Under general supervision performs work of considerable difficulty overseeing and participating in current and long-range planning activities and zoning ordinance administration; performs related work as assigned.

Hiring Range:
$74,532.00 - $85,711.80

• Manages current planning processes including public hearing processes

• Manages current planning staff and coordinates with County-wide staff

• Administers zoning and subdivision ordinances
 • Consults with developers and property owners
 • Conducts site plan review, reviews plans and processes requests for subdivisions, rezoning, use permits, and variances
 • Ensures proposals and plans conform to regulatory requirements and are consistent with County planning policies
 • Presents cases and makes recommendations to various boards and commissions
 • Approves applications for temporary use permits, administrative adjustments, and minor land divisions
 • Participates in development, implementation, and revision of land use plans and ordinances
 • Prepares and maintains records and reports
 • Represents the County on committees, in public meetings and at conferences

Essential functions of this position include: driving, sitting at desk, working with and around others; hearing and speech for communicating; finger dexterity to work on keyboard for writing reports and correspondence.

Bachelor's degree in planning, geography or a related field and four years of progressively responsible professional land use planning experience, including work with current and long-range planning activities; OR

Associate's degree in planning, geography or a related field and five years of progressively responsible professional land use planning experience, including work with current and long-range planning activities; OR

Six years of progressively responsible professional land use planning experience, including work with current and long-range planning activities; OR 

Any combination of education, training or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with rural development in areas lacking infrastructure and services 
• Experience coordinating permits and among multiple departments and jurisdictions
• Experience managing and coordinating entitlement requests through commissions and elected governing bodies
• Ability to grow productive relationships with private sector industry and local communities
• Effective written and oral communication skills with the public, development professionals and decision makers
• Ability to manage change and continually improve processes 

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree or higher in planning, an AICP certification, and over five (5) years of progressively increased responsibility in public sector city or county planning. 

This position is non-exempt from overtime.

Considerable knowledge of:

- Principles, practices and techniques of community and land use planning

- Land use ordinances and regulations, subdivision standards, zoning ordinances and other pertinent statutory requirements

- County, state and federal laws pertaining to County planning and zoning

- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, or eligibility to become certified preferred

Working knowledge of:

- Graphic techniques and use of GIS maps

- Basic statistical methods

- Principles and practices of supervision and management

Ability to:

- Apply the principles and practices of land use planning

- Accurately interpret and evaluate planning and land use issues, laws, requirements and objectives to interested groups and the general public

- Conduct research; evaluate statistical data and present facts and conclusions clearly in written, graphic and oral form

- Meet and deal tactfully with the public, special interest groups, developers and property owners

- Represent County position on land use issues to advisory bodies, citizen groups, other agencies and the public

- Work safely and support the culture of workplace safety

- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public

- Follow written and verbal instructions

- Find solutions and efficiently help community members

- Continually improve processes to better and more efficiently serve the public

- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to laypersons and County leaders

Coconino County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.