Date Posted: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Department: Community Development
Compensation: $79,539 - $97,436
Hours: Full-Time, Year-Round
Deadline: Open until filled
Documents/Forms
Senior Planner, Long-Range Planning Job Description
Position Objectives:
The Senior Planner is a key member of the Community Development Department, reporting to the Community Development Director. This position plays a leadership role in long-range planning initiatives, including special area studies, neighborhood plans, regulatory updates, and transportation and mobility initiatives. The Senior Planner will manage and coordinate community engagement efforts and administer the department’s communications systems. This position will also support regional collaboration initiatives and will provide support and redundancy for the Town’s current planning and development review processes. This role requires strong project management skills, the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, and a commitment to advancing the Town’s strategic goals in the Community Compass through data-driven analysis, systems thinking, and a commitment to engaging the community.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead and project manage long-range planning initiatives, including the development of special area studies, neighborhood plans, and regulatory updates as assigned.
- Manage the Town’s transportation and mobility initiatives, leading data analysis, planning and policy development, and coordinating with internal departments, regional agencies, and stakeholders for implementation.
- Perform a wide variety of professional and technical work including researching, collecting and analyzing data, and synthesizing community feedback to inform plans, projects, and policy recommendations.
- Manage consultant contracts, oversee project budgets, and ensure compliance with grant requirements and contractual obligations.
- Assist with grant writing and reporting.
- Facilitate and lead community outreach and engagement efforts, ensuring public participation in planning initiatives and policy development. Develop and implement community engagement plans, social media interaction tools, and interact with the public and stakeholders in outreach activities designed to inform Town policy.
- Manage the department’s communication systems, including updating the website, promoting community engagement opportunities, ensuring clear and transparent communication channels for projects and initiatives, publishing a monthly civic engagement newsletter, and identifying ways to improve communications channels.
- Prepare and present staff reports and draft recommendations for various committees, BOZAR, the Town Council, and regional partners as assigned.
- Provide information regarding the Town of Crested Butte’s Community Compass, planning processes, transportation mobility initiatives, zoning regulations, development review procedures, and other Community Development initiatives to the public.
- Provide support for current planning and development review, by administering case reviews and compliance assessments of development applications to BOZAR as assigned, including supporting and attending public hearings and managing associated public notice procedures.
- Stay current on planning best practices, trends, and emerging issues to inform policy development and implementation.
- Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, or a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred.
- At least four years of professional planning experience, with a focus on long-range planning, transportation, or community development.
- Familiarity with Colorado land-use laws, Gunnison County regulations, and Crested Butte’s planning policies is highly desirable.
- AICP certification is preferred or a demonstrated commitment to obtaining certification within a specified timeframe.
- Experience in public engagement, project management, and regulatory development is required.
- Grant writing, reporting, and budgeting experience is a plus.
- Experience in a resort or mountain town environment is desirable.
- A combination of education and experience may be considered.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
- Advanced knowledge of planning principles, practices, and methodologies, with a focus on long-range and transportation planning. Experience with small mountain towns is a plus.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple complex initiatives effectively and efficiently.
- Expertise in public engagement and community outreach strategies, including facilitating meetings and public participation activities.
- Comprehensive understanding of zoning and land-use regulations, transportation and mobility planning, economic resilience, sustainability, historic preservation, and affordable housing, with an emphasis on their interconnections in shaping community development.
- Strong written, oral, and visual communication skills, with experience presenting to public officials, stakeholders, and community members.
- Experience with policy development, grant writing, and regulatory drafting.
- Experience with visual communications including plan document, graphics, and poster creation, particularly with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and other tools.
- Proficiency in data collection and analysis, including proficiency with Excel and online data collection tools. Experience with geographic information systems (GIS) is a plus.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups, including the community at-large, developers, local businesses, regional agencies, and the public. Experience working in a small town is a plus.
- Ability to receive and integrate feedback effectively to improve planning outcomes.
Benefits:
We believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive and competitive benefits program including:
- Competitive Compensation
- 100% Employer Paid Employee & Dependent Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
- $900 Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
- Employer-paid employee life insurance
- Paid Vacation (based on years of service)
- Paid Sick Leave
- 13 Paid Holidays
- 401 (a) Employer Match Retirement Savings Plan
Materials and Equipment Used:
- Computers
- Visual aid equipment
- Motor vehicles
HOW TO APPLY:
Please email application, resume, and cover letter to jobs@crestedbutte-co.gov.
The Town of Crested Butte is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will make reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees in accordance with the ADA.