Senior Planner

This rare opportunity with the City of Littleton is responsible for coordination of long range planning projects and research and report preparation including the preparation and presentation of ordinances and resolutions.   The Senior Planner may provide staff assistance to the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Board, City Council, Board of Adjustment and/or community meetings. Additionally, this position may assist with the processing of site development plans and/or applications for re-zoning, subdivision, variance, conditional use, and annexations. 

The City of Littleton offers competitive benefits including an employee clinic, retirement matching, wellness days and much more!

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required.  The organization retains the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of the job at any time.
 

• Provides project management and coordinates long-range planning projects for the city; this includes working with the Community Development Director to oversee third party consultant contracts and community engagement for long range projects.
• Monitors and contributes to writing planning and zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, ordinances, and/or other City codes; identifies needed changes and updates; researches and prepares changes to regulations and circulates these to affected staff members and attorneys for comment; and ensures accuracy of materials as required.
• Researches and writes technical reports on development review, planning, and/or special projects as assigned, coordinating comments and reviews; ensures appropriate review of reports and prepares staff reports pertaining to the zoning or development review or historic preservation; and presents reports to the Planning Commission,  Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Board, and/or City Council, as required.
• Prepares proposed City ordinances; ensures the appropriate review of City ordinances with the City Attorney's office and other affected staff; and ensures that publication deadlines and appropriate public hearing requirements are met for adoption of ordinances.  
• Coordinates the development review process for assigned cases; participates in meetings of outside agencies and the public, as necessary for the complete review of cases.
• Plans and arranges work schedule and establishes work priorities to accomplish scheduled, assigned work within the parameters assigned by the supervisor.
• Works with other City staff, as required, when researching and preparing technical reports and revisions of City codes and regulations. Provides backup to other planners, as needed.
• Develops and delivers presentations.
• Develops community workshops that advocate and educate the community about planning; presents technical information to a variety of community groups; and develops and implements outreach materials, including website information, to inform citizens about long range projects, planning and zoning programs.
• Prepares grant applications and administers grants, as needed.
• Delivers work products and services to customers within work schedule.
• Works beyond the assigned work schedule, as required,  to complete assigned work and/or to participate in Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Board, City Council and/or community meetings, which are typically held after normal work hours.
• May serve as an Emergency Worker.

• Requires a Master's Degree in Planning or a related field and four years of progressively responsible local government or private sector experience in long-range or current urban planning,.
• Requires American Institute of Certified Planners certification.

• Requires knowledge of comprehensive planning theory and principles,  the planning process, including development review, urban design, and historic preservation. Requires expert knowledge of planning law and zoning and subdivision regulations.
• Requires knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of local government operations, a solid knowledge of the functions of the City's Community Development Department, and an ability to apply that knowledge.
• Requires a comprehensive knowledge of City codes and ordinances; Colorado Revised Statutes as they relate to planning; and locations of City neighborhoods and the general layout of the City.
• Requires knowledge of current events in the City, including proposed private developments, neighborhood issues and concerns, and ongoing and proposed public projects.
• Requires effective verbal and non – verbal communication  skills including writing, editing, and visual communication skills, with individuals of varying social, cultural, economic, professional, and educational backgrounds, including the ability to act with tact, good judgment, and discretion; the ability to effectively work with individuals who may be angry or skeptical, argumentative, or disagreeable; the ability to effectively work with individuals under stressful conditions; and the ability to maintain the confidentiality of matters, as appropriate.
• Requires the ability to solve problems by gathering data and facts, analyzing information, and making recommendations for resolution.
• Requires the ability to read, understand, and interpret English language manuals and other written materials, including, but not limited to, City codes and ordinances, general planning and civil engineering procedures and guidelines, and other reference materials; and the skill and ability to apply the knowledge and information gained from these materials to effectively perform the essential functions of the position.
• Requires the ability to efficiently and effectively deal with constant interruptions and requests for assistance; to effectively prioritize work efforts in order to complete those tasks that are most urgent and to schedule the remaining requests for subsequent resolution while continuing to work on the task at hand.
• Requires the ability, both verbally and in writing, to explain technical information in non-technical language.
• Requires the ability to obtain information and to utilize that information to prepare written documents that are clear, concise, courteous, and within accepted grammatical standards.
• Ability to use and apply technology.
• Ability to speak one or more foreign languages is helpful.