Senior Planner / Principal Planner Town of Wellington Wellington, CO Job Details Full-time $89,280

•$117,850 a year 1 day ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Land use law in public permitting Data analysis reporting Mapping using GIS Legal analysis Urban planning GIS projects Data summary reports Driver's License Bachelor's degree Graphic design software Zoning regulations Land use studies Community planning Computer skills Land-use planning projects Data analysis software Full Job Description

POSITION TITLE

Senior Planner / Principal Planner

DEPARTMENT

Planning & Development

REPORTS TO

Planning Director

FLSA STATUS

Exempt SALARY :

Senior Planner Anticipated Hiring Range :

$89,280

•$107,137

Full Salary Range :

$89,280

•$124,993

Principal Planner Anticipated Hiring Range :

$98,209

•$117,850

Full Salary Range :

$98,209

•$137,492 For full consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter by 12:59pm on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for performing a variety of general and specialized professional planning functions, including current and long-range planning; conducting planning studies, analyzing data and preparing reports; coordinating assigned projects with applicants, staff, other departments and agencies; and providing information and assistance to developers, the business community and the public on planning and development matters. Decision-making authority and responsibility increase with classification level. The Senior Planner and Principal Planner roles are part of a 4-level series consisting of Planner I, Planner II, Senior Planner and Principal Planner. Incumbents are responsible for planning projects, development review, research, data analysis, policy development and reporting, with increasing levels of expertise, independence, decision-making, project responsibility and leadership at each level. Essential job functions and knowledge, skills and abilities remain generally consistent across classifications, with increasing complexity and responsibility at each level.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The below list is intended to be illustrative of the responsibilities of the position and not all

•encompassing. The Town may change these duties at any time. Evaluates land use and development proposals and other applications for conformity with established plans, codes and requirements; Assists with implementation and enforcement of the comprehensive plan, zoning and land use code; Assists with development of short

•and long-range plans, including the Town's comprehensive plan, area plans, annexation plans and other specialized plans; Interacts with business owners, developers, contractors and members of the public and responds to permit and plan review inquiries in person, electronically and by telephone; Reviews cases, prepares staff reports and makes presentations to the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustments, Town Board and other public boards, as directed; Attends evening meetings of the Planning Commission one night per month and Town Board and Board of Adjustments meetings on an as-needed basis; Reviews development proposals and permit applications and recommends or issues permits as appropriate; Manages the plan intake process for land development, including accepting plans, checking plans for completeness, distributing plans and schedules to Town departments and reviewing agencies, and coordinating review; Prepares and publishes legal notices and meeting materials for the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustments; Utilizes department permit software for development applications and approvals and maintains property files and related records; Provides support to the Building Division during and after development approval and compares building plans with approved development plans; Performs site inspections to ensure compliance with approved development plans; Assists in code enforcement research and actions, as assigned; Provides staff support and project management for special projects and programs administered by the department, dependent on classification; Assists with preparation of grant proposals, monitors project progress and assists with administration of grant funds; Assists with management of fiscal assurances for private construction of public improvements, including letters of credit and bonds; Establishes and maintains organized systems for department files, correspondence, reports, plans and other records and prepares reports related to planning activities; Performs work in accordance with established standards and Town and department policies and procedures; Continually looks for new and improved ways of completing assigned functions; Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Knowledge of physical design, the way in which cities function, and the principles and practices of urban planning. Knowledge of the social and environmental impacts of planning decisions on communities. Understanding of the legal foundation for land use regulation and the interaction between economic, transportation, health and human services, and land-use considerations. Excellent communication skills sufficient to express ideas and agreements concisely and persuasively, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences. Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Adobe Creative Suite or similar graphics, mapping and analytics programs. Skill in negotiation, persuasion, tact and diplomacy and the ability to engage multiple stakeholders in decision-making processes. Ability to work independently and as part of a team; apply logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions; and solve problems using technical competence, creativity and research. Ability to apply planning principles to practical, case-by-case circumstances; analyze demographic information and trends; and work with plats, blueprints, codes and geographic information systems. Ability to prepare, review and present complex reports and operate office-related equipment and software.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Senior Planner Performs advanced professional planning work and serves as a technical resource within the department. Leads complex development reviews and planning projects, develops short

•and long-range plans and programs, policy recommendations, code amendments and other regulations. Presents planning matters to boards, commissions, and the public. Coordinates with internal and external stakeholders and consultants, leads interdepartmental teams, and performs project management responsibilities as assigned. Principal Planner Performs highly advanced professional planning work and serves as a planning subject matter expert. Leads the department's most complex planning projects, development applications, comprehensive planning, policy initiatives, and long-range planning efforts. Provides technical guidance and mentorship to planning staff, coordinates consultant and stakeholder activities, and serves as a key advisor to the Planning Director, Town leadership, boards, commissions, and the public. May supervise planning staff and act on behalf of the Planning Director as assigned.

MINUMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Senior Planner:

Bachelor's Degree in planning, urban design, or a closely related field. Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in land use, urban planning, and comprehensive planning. Valid driver license.

Principal Planner:

Bachelor's Degree in planning, urban design, or a closely related field. Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in land use, urban planning, and comprehensive planning. Valid driver license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree in planning, urban design, or a closely related field. Experience in municipal government planning. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification. Supervisory, lead-worker, or project management experience.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is generally performed in a controlled-climate, office environment. Occasional work in outside setting with exposure to weather and other environmental factors. Frequent reaching, sitting, standing, walking, talking, seeing, hearing, and manual dexterity. Occasional lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds. An average of 2-3 evening meetings per month, but sometimes more, is required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Must pass criminal history check. Must participate in Town's Direct Deposit program. The statements contained in this job description reflect general details necessary to describe the principal function of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or provide relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. The Town of Wellington is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it is the equal opportunity employment policy of the Town to make all recruitment, hiring, and placement decisions, as well as, other employment decisions on the basis of the qualifications of the individuals considered for the position to be filled, without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex or national origin. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay:

$89,280.00

•$117,850.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person