Planner or Senior Planner

Planner or Senior Planner

Salary

See Position Description

Location

West Fargo City Hall

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

PANZ202506

Department

Planning and Zoning

Division

PANDZ

Opening Date

07/01/2026

Closing Date

8/2/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

NOTICES: Applications will be reviewed after 2 weeks and at the close. Three professional references preferred.

ESTIMATED STARTING SALARY

Planner: $69,535 - 83,442 annual

Senior Planner: $81,106 - 97,327 annual

• Does not represent the full salary range of this position.

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Under general supervision, the Planner performs professional planning work in the administration of the City's Comprehensive Plan, Sub-Plans and applicable City ordinances related to planning and community development. The Planner independently manages development applications and routine planning projects, and serves as a primary point of contact for applicants, residents, and other stakeholders.

Under limited supervision, the Senior Planner assists the Planning and Zoning Director in the management of the Planning Department and performs advanced professional planning work in the administration of the City's Comprehensive Plan, Sub-Plans and applicable City ordinances related to planning and community development. The Senior Planner provides technical leadership, mentors junior staff, manages complex projects, and represents the Department in high-stakes and politically sensitive matters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Planner

• Independently manages development applications through the entitlement review and approval process within a team environment; including application intake, public notification, coordination of multi-entity review, communications, analysis and development of recommendations, public hearings/meetings, presentation to approval boards and commissions, record keeping, etc.
• Responsible for communicating complex development details amongst a diverse set of stakeholders-including residents, City staff, commissioners, government agencies, property owners, developers, engineers, architects, attorneys, news media, etc.
• Facilitates meetings and special communications regarding complex development details for various stakeholder groups when necessary, including neighborhood meetings, public input meetings, pre-application meetings, development review meetings, etc. May also de-escalate situations of controversial development projects and land use issues.
• Exercises sound judgement in the administration and application of development regulations.
• Analyzes development proposals for consistency with applicable state and federal statutes, City policy, development regulations, and accepted planning principles.
• Identifies likely positive or negative outcomes, such as environmental, economic, public health, or legal impacts.
• Participates in negotiating positive outcomes for the City, citizens, and property owners.
• Provides technical recommendations to the City Commission, Planning & Zoning Commission, Economic Development Advisory Committee, Board of Adjustment, and other public bodies through written, visual, and oral communication, typically in a public meeting setting.
• Plans, implements, and manages projects and studies, as assigned, including the management of contracted project teams and professional consultants.
• Conducts site plan reviews of building permit applications to confirm compliance with applicable zoning, signage, and other development regulations.
• Processes applications for administrative permits, licenses, and information, including zoning confirmation letters, use permits, sign permits, participation in City programs, and the like.
• Collects and interprets data and information used to prepare reports and plans, including information from such technical sources as surveys, engineering reports, architectural plans, legal documents, etc.; creates and writes staff reports on planning projects, studies, and proposals utilizing maps, photos, charts, and other means to convey technical information.
• This position requires frequent interaction with the general public regarding occasionally controversial development projects and land use issues, and may involve de-escalating situations with individuals who are emotionally engaged.

Other Duties:

• Administers various community development, neighborhood, public art, and housing programs; assists other departments in the administration of City economic development incentives, code enforcement activities, and other multi-departmental programs.
• Works collaboratively with other staff and departments to develop and improve interdepartmental processes; maintains and tracks development information and data, such as permit approvals, property addresses, and zoning district boundaries.
• Aids in the public notification process for development proposals, including the drafting, review, mailing, and publication of legal notices and notification letters to property owners.
• Responds to resident questions, issues, and concerns; determines resolutions to meet City goals and policies; maintains positive community relations and outcomes for the City and the Department.
• Works safely, follows safe work practices, and identifies and reports unsafe work conditions.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Senior Planner

• Assists the Director in the development of plans, studies, policies, ordinances, strategies and maps for the implementation of development programs for the City.
• Oversees the development entitlement review and approval process within a team environment; including application intake, public notification, coordination of multi-entity review, communications, analysis and development of recommendations, public hearings/meetings, presentation to approval boards and commissions, record keeping, etc.
• Assists in the day-to-day direction of staff within the department.
• Communicates complex development details among a diverse set of stakeholders-including residents, City staff, Commissioners, government agencies, property owners, developers, engineers, architects, attorneys, news media, etc.
• Facilitates meetings and special communications regarding complex development details for various stakeholder groups when necessary, including neighborhood meetings, public input meetings, pre-application meetings, development review meetings, etc. May also de-escalate situations of controversial development projects and land use issues.
• Exercises sound judgement in the administration and application of development regulations, including matters without clear precedent.
• Analyzes development proposals for consistency with applicable state and federal statutes, City policy, development regulations, and accepted planning principles.
• Identifies likely positive or negative outcomes, such as environmental, economic, public health, or legal impacts.
• Participates in negotiating positive outcomes for the City, citizens, and property owners.
• Provides technical recommendations to the City Commission, Planning & Zoning Commission, Economic Development Advisory Committee, Board of Adjustment, and other public bodies through written, visual, and oral communication, typically in a public meeting setting.
• Plans, implements, and manages complex projects and studies, as assigned, including the management of contracted project teams and professional consultants. Develops project budgets, administers bidding processes, verifies contract expenditures and compliance.
• Collects and interprets data and information used to prepare reports and plans, including information from such technical sources as surveys, engineering reports, architectural plans, legal documents, etc.; creates and writes staff reports on planning projects, studies, and proposals utilizing maps, photos, charts, and other means to convey technical information.
• Represents the Planning Department in the Director's absence.
• This position requires frequent interaction with the general public regarding occasionally controversial development projects and land use issues, and may involve de-escalating situations with individuals who are emotionally engaged.

Other Duties

• Administers various community development, neighborhood, public art, and housing programs; assists other departments in the administration of City economic development incentives, code enforcement activities, and other multi-departmental programs.
• Leads other staff and departments in collaborative efforts to develop and improve interdepartmental processes.
• Responds to resident questions, issues, and concerns; determines resolutions to meet City goals and policies; maintains positive community relations and outcomes for the City and the Department.
• Works safely, follows safe work practices, and identifies and reports unsafe work conditions.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Planner

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning or a related field.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in urban planning.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of planning principles, land use law, zoning administration, and development review processes.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to independently manage development applications from intake through final decision, including presenting staff reports and presenting to advisory boards and commissions.
• Ability to use GIS software for basic mapping and spatial analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors, other City departments, vendors, contractors, residents, partner agencies and organizations.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and manage competing deadlines.

Senior Planner

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning or a related field.
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in urban planning.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principles, practices, and techniques of planning, including long-range planning, current planning, and land-use law.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects from initiation through completion, including consultant management and budget administration.
• Demonstrated ability to present technical recommendations to elected and appointed boards and commissions and to respond effectively to questions under public scrutiny.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance and informal mentorship to less experienced planning staff.
• Ability to use GIS software with mapping and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors, other City departments, vendors, contractors, residents, partner agencies and organizations.
• Ability to work on multiple complex projects simultaneously, manage competing deadlines, and exercise independent judgement with limited supervision.

Supplemental Information

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in urban planning or related field.
• Project Management Experience
• AICP certification.
• Valid driver's license.

Applications will be reviewed after 2 weeks and the close.

• Retirement: Defined Contribution Plan or NDPERS Pension if eligible

• Up to 15.26% Employer Contribution on Defined Contribution Plan, 16.26% Employer Contribution for Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Main, Main 2020, Public Safety). Inquire with HR for eligibility, conditions and details.

• High-Deductible Health Insurance

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution match

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Flexible Medical and Dependent Care Spending Accounts

• Long Term Disability

• Life Insurance

• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

• Vacation Accruals

• Sick Accruals

• Personal Days

Inquire with HR for additional information on our benefits package, including rates and employer contributions.

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Which position level(s) are you applying for? Note: Eligibility for position level will be determined by the Citys evaluation of qualifications.

• Senior Planner
• Planner

Required Question

Employer City of West Fargo

Department Planning and Zoning Address 2515 6TH ST E

West Fargo, North Dakota, 58078