Senior Planner

Final Day To Apply:

10/11/2026

It's fun and rewarding to work for the City of Steamboat Springs!  Our employees are passionate and proud to serve our community with excellence and distinction.  Our teams are awesome, and we are committed to our community and the very special place that is Steamboat Springs, Colorado! 

Job Description:

POSITION DESCRIPTION

When joining the City of Steamboat Springs, you can expect to work for an organization with:

• A team that strives to make this the best place you’ve ever worked!
• A focus on supporting our employees’ mental, physical, and financial well-being
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that creates a welcoming city 
• A highly engaged workforce proudly serving our community with excellence and distinction
• A passion for strategically providing outstanding municipal services
• A promise to each other to support the work we all do for the city, community & Yampa Valley

Uniqueness Fuels Our Innovative SpiritOur commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity and experiences drives us forward every day. It's the collective sum of our experiences that makes Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley a powerful, insightful and welcoming community. 

The City of Steamboat Springs' Planning Department is hiring a Senior Planner to join their team!

Pay Range: $73,585 - $106,698

GENERAL PURPOSE

Position in this class is distinguished by advanced levels of training and experience in planning.  Individual will be expected to work independently on assigned advanced planning projects.  The Senior Planner is differentiated from Planner in the complexity of cases, code amendments, and policy work completed. 

Performs a variety of routine and complex administrative, technical and professional work in the current and long-range planning programs related to the development and implementation of land use policies, urban design, zoning, development standards, development review and permitting processes.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Development Review Manager when assigned to Development Review function of the Department.  Works under the general supervision of the Planning and Community Development Director when assigned to Long Range Planning, Code Enforcement, or Historic Preservation functions of the Department. 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None generally. May supervise project teams, including staff and consultants, as assigned. May supervise support staff, part-time or temporary employees or volunteers, as assigned.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Review

Reviews routine to complex development permit applications. Responsibilities may include:

• Providing applicants and interested public with information on development review standards and processes including submittal requirements, time frames and opportunities for public input.
• Facilitating the efficient submittal, distribution and coordination of applications, review comments and other information among staff, reviewing agencies, the applicant and public as necessary.
• Examining applications for compliance with established plans and ordinances.
• Soliciting and coordinating input from other staff and reviewing agencies, scheduling hearings, monitoring process and compliance, and preparing reports and data.
• Collaborating with other Planning staff on the review of development permit applications.
• Making discretionary code interpretations in collaboration with the Development Review Manager and Planning Director.
• Preparing project compliance analysis reports and supporting data, including department recommendations.
• Making presentations to the public, elected and appointed bodies as well as City staff and management.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Long Range Planning

Leads the development and implementation of complex long range growth management, land use, economic development, utility, housing, transportation, facilities, or other plans and codes to meet the City's needs and any inter-governmental agreements or requirements. Responsibilities may include: 

• Gathering, interpreting, and preparing data for studies, reports and recommendations. 

• Coordinating department activities with other departments and agencies as needed. 

• Facilitating public engagement in planning process and policy considerations. 

• Monitoring adopted plans to promote and facilitate ongoing implementation and continued relevance. 

• Monitoring planning activities of neighboring jurisdictions; coordinating work with other affected agencies; assists in the development of regional plans, as assigned. 

• Providing technical and professional advice; making presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public. 

• Preparing a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes. 

• Conducting technical research studies and preparing statistical reports and recommendations for drafting or revising local legislation and long-range comprehensive plans, projecting trends, monitoring socio-economic data, etc. 

• Preparing planning reports and supporting data, including recommendations or various long range planning proposals. 

• Preparing and presenting policy recommendations for consideration by City management and elected officials. 

• Making presentations to the public, elected and appointed bodies as well as City staff and management. 

• Coordinating and managing long range planning consultant contracts, as assigned. 

Supporting Responsibilities

• Serves as an ambassador of the City of Steamboat Springs and upholds City values of Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Well-being, Respect and Compassion, while espousing safety at all times.
• Responds to public inquiries about local planning and zoning regulations and ordinances.
• Monitors adopted plans, regulations and policies for continued effectiveness and relevance.  Makes recommendations to Planning Director when need for revisions are identified.
• Serves when assigned as a member of a planning task force composed of City, County, Regional or State groups.
• Prepares graphics and maps for a variety of reports, plans, grant applications, publications or meetings.
• Provides staff support to the Planning Commission as needed and assigned.
• Assists in maintaining the data base of information for planning purposes.
• Assists city staff in the enforcement of local ordinances and in interpreting city codes and master plans.
• Assists in designs for parks, streetscapes, landscapes and other municipal projects.
• Serves as a member of various staff committees as assigned.
• Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of municipal planning.
• Assists in any activities necessary to facilitate the timely completion of department responsibilities.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in land-use planning, urban planning, or a closely related field.  (Master’s degree preferred): and
• Five (5) years' experience in municipal planning; or
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• AICP desirable

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with architects, contractors, developers, owners, supervisors, employees, regulatory and policy making bodies, and the general public; Ability to establish effective working relationships is critical.
• Thorough knowledge of zoning laws and comprehensive plans including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement; Extensive knowledge of planning programs and processes; Working knowledge of Personal Computers and GIS applications.
• Basic knowledge of the principles of land use and real estate development including entitlements, phasing, design, construction, environmental issues, redevelopment and historic preservation.
• Skill in the operation of the listed tools and equipment. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, the Adobe Creative Suite and Sketch-Up desirable

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Have a Valid State Driver's License, or ability to obtain one.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer, including word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and internet; motor vehicle; calculator; phone; copy and fax machine; various graphic design tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

If you like serving in a role that will directly and positively impact our great community, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Pay Range:

$73,585.00 - $106,698.00

Offers will be negotiated based on each candidate's qualifications.Merit:This role is eligible for merit within our pay-for-performance philosophy via our annual performance review process.  Hires after September 1st will take the next year's compensation data into account but would not be eligible for merit until the following year.Benefits:Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage options as well as other program offerings such as our Employee Assistance Program and more. You may also contribute to our 401(a) plan that includes a company match.  Seasonal roles are not eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage, but have benefits such as Paid Sick Leave, Ski and Skate Pass, Employee Assistance Program, etc.