Assistant Planner

Assistant Planner At the City of Lone Tree, we are committed to hiring individuals who are passionate about their community, eager to grow in their careers, and motivated to make a meaningful impact. Here, you won’t just take on a job, you’ll join a dedicated team working to shape a vibrant, forward-thinking City. Whether you’re driven by public service, energized by problem-solving, or simply seeking purposeful work alongside exceptional colleagues, you’ll find your place with us. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF POSITION Under guidance, this position performs professional current planning work, including reviewing development applications and building permits, conducting site inspections, and administering and enforcing the Comprehensive Plan, zoning and subdivision codes, design standards, and related regulations. The position also supports Planning Division administrative processes and coordinates with City departments, consultants, agency partners, and the public. Responsibilities may include public presentations and occasional meetings outside regular business hours. Definition and Class Characteristics This is the entry level position within the Planning Division. Candidates possess a general understanding of the principles of planning and land use review and apply this knowledge in the performance of a wide range of planning related activities. Assistant Planners are responsible for daily current planning activities and general customer support. Employees at this level receive regular instruction and assistance to guide the fulfilment of their duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following essential job functions and examples of duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive. Duties may be modified, added, or deleted at the discretion of the supervisor. - Coordinate Planning Division operations, including land use application tracking, webpage updates, and process improvements that enhance efficiency. - Manage development review activities, including public notices, landowner notifications, staff report packets, public hearing schedules, document recordation, and project closeouts. - Assist the public and development professionals with zoning, land use regulations, City master plans, design standards, and related policies. - Consult with prospective applicants to identify appropriate review processes, explain application requirements, and provide site-specific planning guidance. - Review development proposals for compliance with City codes, policies, design standards, and best planning practices; collaborate with applicants to refine plans and develop compliant solutions. - Process land use applications of limited complexity, coordinate with referral agencies and community members, prepare materials for Planning Commission and City Council, and present proposals at public meetings. - Reviews building and grading permit applications for conformance with approved development plans and land use regulations. - Assist the Associate Planner in reviewing sign permits. - Conducts on-site inspections of developments to ensure exterior site and building plans comply with site plans prior to issuance of building permits and certificates of occupancy. - Prepares graphics, maps, charts and tables of limited complexity to support the Planning Division’s projects, analyses, and operational needs. - Conducts research and compiles information from multiple sources on a variety of planning-related topics to support the Planning Division’s projects, initiatives, and decision-making processes. - Administer and oversee Accela, the Planning Division’s online application and permitting system, including routine system updates and configuration changes. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES TO SUPPORT SUCCESS Interpersonal and Technical Skills - Strong interpersonal, oral, and verbal skills. Must have the ability to interact effectively with individuals of varying cultural, economic, professional and educational backgrounds. - Demonstrated personal effectiveness, professionalism, integrity and credibility, thoroughness, flexibility, and collaboration skills. To include the ability to work within strict deadlines and to follow oral and written instructions. - Maintaining accurate records and collecting, compiling, analyzing, and presenting technical, statistical, and graphical information pertaining to planning and zoning data and research. - Precision and attention to details when reviewing regulations, development applications, plans, maps, and reports. - Provide courteous and responsive communication to the public through effective customer service skills. - Resolve complicated situations requiring diplomacy and tact and know when to engage supervisors for additional support. - Excellent writing skills: the ability to prepare clear, concise, and complete correspondence, technical documents, reports, and other written materials using proper spelling, grammar, and professional writing style. - Learning quickly, applying critical thinking to gather relevant information to solve practical problems. - Prioritizing workload within a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, to establish and meet deadlines. Knowledge of - Objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, information services, and trends in the field of local government planning. - Zoning, land use, urban design, demographic, environmental, and social/economic concepts and principles as applied to local government planning. - Terminology, symbols, methods, and techniques used in planning, site plans and plats. - Principles and procedures pertaining to site planning, architectural review, and design. - Modern office procedures and methods including computer equipment, word processing, spreadsheets, database organization, graphic presentations and other needed specialized software applications, and internet and electronic communication. Working knowledge of GIS and/or graphic programs such as SketchUp preferred. Ability to - Uphold the American Planning Association’s Ethical Principles in Planning and embody the City’s core values by aligning daily work with organizational goals. - Interpret and apply laws, policies, procedures, regulations, specifications, site and building plans, environmental impact reports, data, and maps to development proposals. - Clearly explain technical requirements and procedures to the public and communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. - Research, compile, interpret, and analyze data and technical information to support planning decisions. - Prioritize competing demands, manage multiple projects, and work independently with minimal supervision. - Build effective working relationships with City staff, government agencies, consultants, developers, property owners, and the public. - Apply mathematical concepts, including fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions, to practical planning tasks. - Review plans and determine compliance with applicable ordinances, codes, and regulations. - Read and interpret site and building plans, maps, permits, plats, zoning documents, and related regulations. - Collaborate effectively in a team environment while demonstrating initiative and sound independent judgment. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the general supervision of the Principal Planner. SUPERVISION EXCERCISED None. QUALIFICATIONS Education/Experience Any combination of education and experience, which demonstrates the candidate possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities is qualifying. Common ways to demonstrate such capabilities include: - Bachelor’s degree in planning, urban design, community or regional development, natural resources, public administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university AND a minimum of one (1) year of relevant experience. - Master’s degree in planning, urban design, community or regional development, natural resources, public administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. - Relevant work or internship experience in a planning, building, or engineering office or a related field that provides practical experience applicable to the position’s responsibilities. Equipment Used, Work Environment and Physical Activities: - Driving: Must be physically capable of operating motor vehicles safely in the normal course of assignments. - Office equipment: Daily use of a copier, scanner, and printer. - Computer equipment and software: Daily use of a personal computer, MS Office software, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and virtual meeting and presentation software. Experience with Esri GIS software platforms (either online or desktop) strongly desired. Experience with Smartsheet, Bluebeam and Accella preferred. - Physical activities: Primarily sitting, standing and walking. May bend, stoop, reach, climb, carry and lift for varying periods. Requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand-eye movement. Field work includes walking in construction sites as well as developed and undeveloped sites. - Requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand-eye movement. - Lifting: May involve lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. for short periods of time. - Vision and hearing: Must have visual acuity to see and read paper and electronic documents; must be able to answer telephones, communicate conversation and respond to verbal inquiries. - Exposure to environmental conditions: Work is mainly in an office setting, but some outside fieldwork is required. Position Type and Expected Hours of Work This is an exempt, full-time position. The City of Lone Tree’s business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Actual work schedule will be determined upon hire and will require availability to work evenings and weekends. Flextime and hybrid remote work schedules are offered for employees at the discretion of managers, consistent with City policies; the Planning Division offers a 3-2 schedule (three days in the office, two days remote work) that is coordinated by the Planning Manager to ensure daily in-office presence of the Division. POSITION RANGE Hiring Range: $66,152 - $81,036 Annually Salary Range: $66,152 - $95,920 Annually FLSA Exempt Anticipated closing date is November 30, 2026; however, applications will be continued to be accepted until the position is filled. Comprehensive Benefits Package At the City of Lone Tree, we understand the value of investing in our employees’ well-being and financial security. That’s why we offer a robust benefits package designed to support you and your family. Our benefits include: - Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and supplemental health plans. - Access to onsite gym and Lone Tree Recreation Center. - Access to onsite gym and Lone Tree Recreation Center. - Work-Life Balance: Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness initiatives to support your overall well-being. - Financial Security: Employer-paid basic life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, and voluntary life insurance options. - Retirement Planning: Multiple retirement savings options, including 457, 401(k), and Roth IRA plans, as well as participation in PERA and FPPA pension plans. - Commuter Perks: Enjoy the convenience of an RTD EcoPass for public transportation. The City of Lone Tree provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Human Resources at HR@cityoflonetree.com within three business days' notice.