Planner II

• Lead and manage development review processes for a diverse range of clients, from rural towns to large urban municipalities such as Washington D.C., New Orleans, and Aurora, CO.
• Review submitted plans and documentation for conformance to applicable zoning regulations, including setbacks, dimensional standards, building height, landscaping, parking, and urban design criteria.
• Act as a main point of contact for applicants, guiding them through review processes and clearly communicating feedback and required revisions.
• Coordinate efficiently with multidisciplinary review teams using remote and electronic permitting systems to ensure timely and integrated project evaluation.
• Provide professional support and strategic guidance to municipal staff and elected officials, including preparing and presenting reports, recommendations, and policy updates to planning commissions, boards, and councils.
• Independently manage concurrent planning and zoning projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards of quality and responsiveness.
• Identify and recommend improvements to local codes, processes, and procedures-particularly related to best practices in land use, design standards, resiliency, and Colorado legislative requirements.
• Review and manage applications for rezonings, annexations, subdivisions, variances, and other entitlements, ensuring consistency with comprehensive plans and zoning codes.
• Contribute to long-range planning and zoning code reform efforts, including supporting or leading components of comprehensive plan updates, sustainability initiatives, and equitable growth strategies.
• Foster positive, solution-oriented relationships with clients, applicants, community members, and SAFEbuilt colleagues across a geographically and politically diverse client base.

• Strong knowledge of planning and zoning principles, with the ability to interpret and apply land use regulations to a wide variety of development scenarios.
• Experience working across a range of community types and scales, with a demonstrated ability to adapt approaches to suit the local context and community goals.
• Proficiency in reviewing and interpreting site plans, plats, floor plans, elevations, and sections, including the use of dimensional and graphic scales.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey technical information clearly to planners, developers, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
• Familiarity with contemporary planning topics such as housing affordability, climate adaptation, equity in land use, and mixed-use and transit-oriented development.
• Skilled in the use of digital tools, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, GIS, desktop plan review platforms, and web-based permitting systems.
• Analytical abilities to apply statistical, geometric, and spatial reasoning to development scenarios and planning analyses.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage deadlines and competing priorities independently.
• Collaborative mindset with a commitment to innovation, customer service, and continuous learning in a changing regulatory environment.
• Proven ability to lead initiatives, suggest process improvements, and help clients navigate complex or politically sensitive planning challenges.
• Business acumen that understands the value proposition of third-party consultation for local governments.

• The completion of a bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, construction management, or a related field that would give the applicant experience with reviewing architectural or development related drawings
• Graduate degree candidates are encouraged to apply. Potential salary flexibility exists.

• Minimum 4years of experience in plan review, drafting plans, zoning administration, or building code review
• Demonstrated work experience interfacing directly with customers and clients to resolve issues

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