Planner Technician, or Planner I, or Planner II

*Up to $3,000 Sign-on bonus may be available*

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The application must be filled out completely; stating "see resume" anywhere in the application, is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

Enjoy Industry Leading Benefits:

• Generous paid vacation and extended sick leave, holidays, and flexible work arrangements.
• Free and discounted transportation options to get around Aspen and the Valley.
• Professional development and learning opportunities, including a tuition reimbursement program.
• Health and wellbeing options that include Medical, Dental, Vision, robust and accessible employee assistance program, and nationally recognized wellbeing platform.
• Monetary bonuses for healthy lifestyle choices and to use towards other personal needs.
• Plan for your future with competitive employer contributions to a 401a retirement plans and Social Security, in addition to an individual 457b retirement plan and Roth IRA option. Have peace of mind with life and disability insurance.

The City of Aspen is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Aspen is seeking to fill two planning positions within our Community Development Department. Depending on experience and qualifications, candidates may be considered for the Planner Technician, Planner I, or Planner II role.

Job Title: Planner Technician, Planner I or Planner II

Department: Community Development

Classification: Non-Exempt (Planner Technician & Planner I), Exempt (Planner II)

Hiring Range:

• Planner Technician: $30.24/hourly - 34.02/hourly [Non-Exempt]
• Planner I: 32.96/hourly - $37.08/hourly [Non-Exempt]
• Planner II: $74,714/annually - $84,074/ annually [Exempt]

Salary Range:

• Planner Technician: $30.24/hourly - 45.36/hourly [Non-Exempt]
• Planner I: 32.96/hourly - $49.44/hourly [Non-Exempt]
• Planner II: $74,714/annually - $112,091/ annually [Exempt]

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Position Summary: This position works with other members of the land use and historic preservation planning team (12 members in total) under the larger umbrella of Aspen's Community Development department (Planning, Building, Environmental Health and Sustainability). Performs entry level to intermediate, professional-level planning and zoning work and technical duties depending on the position to provide support and service to the public, to members of the Community Development department and other City agencies in a manner consistent with the organization's values and mission statement.

Supervision Exercised and Received: Works under the supervision and general direction of the Principal Planner, or the Senior Planner, or Zoning Administrator.

Essential Job Functions:

Planner Technician:

• Performs entry level planning work, including research support, zoning support & customer service.

• Conducts plan review of building permits for zoning compliance.

• Processes minor land use cases, such as condominium plats or document review, and assists more senior level staff members as back up to major land use cases.

Planner I:

• Performs intermediate professional level planning work, including participating in zoning support and special planning projects such as long range planning and historic preservation.

• Processes minor land use cases, such as administrative Planned Development and Environmentally Sensitive Area reviews, acts as the primary reviewer for Residential Design Standards compliance and assists senior level staff as back up to major land use cases.

Planner II:

• Performs full intermediate professional level planning work including participating in policy planning, code amendments, planning project support, zoning support, and departmental goals, objectives and planning budget.

• Processes more technical land use cases, such as subdivision reviews and reviews requiring a decision by an elected or appointed body, acts as a secondary reviewer for Residential Design Standards compliance.

• Prepares and presents staff recommendations to City Council and Commissions.

Responsibilities Across All Planner Roles:

Customer Service and Records Keeping

• Serves as a primary 'planner of the day' providing exemplary customer service to the public in person, by phone and via email, by answering technical questions related to land use code, official zone district map, and departmental procedures.

• Confers with applicants and the public to explain, interpret, and discuss regulations, plans, and polices as they relate to proposed development, and provides verbal and written communication as needed.

• Prepares pre-application conferences and assists with public records requests. Maintains records and files for data tracking purposes according to departmental procedures.

Land Use Planning

• Processes administrative applications and prepares staff recommendations by administering review criteria, design and development standards.

• All positions are expected to apply professional judgement and navigate ambiguity in responding to a range of complex land use issues commensurate with work experience.

Zoning Support

• Works with customers and city referral agencies to bring projects into compliance with city codes and land use approvals.

• Provides final zoning approval on zoning permits as assigned. Provides zoning research, field inspections, and documentation, or analysis of current conditions for zoning enforcement.

City Organizational Values:

• Supports and models the City of Aspen organizational values: Service, Partnership, Stewardship, and Innovation. Organizational values are shared principles that guide behavior across the organization. This position is responsible for upholding and applying these values while performing daily work functions.

Other duties as assigned.

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Core Competencies: Displays the following key competencies and behaviors in the overall job performance to include knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Service: Provides service with excellence, humility, integrity, and respect in daily work, builds trust by listening, treats people with respect, acknowledges opportunities for improvement, and follows through with commitments.

• Partnership: Actively creates strong, supportive internal and external relationships to attain a common goal and achieve greater impact together.

• Stewardship: Balances social, environmental, and financial responsibilities, evaluating the impact of decision making on a thriving future for all.

• Innovation: Develops technical expertise to pursue new ideas and creative outcomes, grounded in Aspen's unique culture, opportunities, and challenges.

• Communication: Knowledge of effective and appropriate communication. Ability to use knowledge effectively in various contexts which may require oral, written, visual and non-verbal communication.

• Interpersonal: Works to develop strength in interpersonal skills. Has the ability to work well with diverse groups of people, both inside and outside the organization.

• Technology: Demonstrates technology skills sufficient for the nature and level of position. Demonstrates a willingness to learn new technologies and transition job duties accordingly to support technological advances and innovation.

• Building/Construction Systems: Knowledge of or ability to learn zoning regulations, laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, and agency rules as applicable to the Community Development Department.

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Minimum Qualifications

Planner Technician:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, or related field.
• Experience: One year of professional experience in Municipal, County, regional or private sector planning.
• Technical Knowledge: Must be proficient in the following areas: Microsoft Office applications, and a basic understanding of computers and online computer-based technology applications, which includes accessing web-based platforms. Graphic Design skills desired.
• Licenses & Certifications: Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of start date.

Planner I:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, or related field. A Master's Degree in one of the fields identified above is preferred.
• Experience: One to three years of professional experience in Municipal, County, regional or private sector planning. (A Master's Degree in Planning may be considered in lieu of professional experience.)
• Technical Knowledge: Must be proficient in the following areas: Microsoft Office applications, and a basic understanding of computers and online computer-based technology applications, which includes accessing web-based platforms. Experience using a Salesforce platform is desired, but not required. Graphic design skills are desired, but not required
• Licenses & Certifications: Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of start date. Pursuit of AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification will be encouraged.

Planner II:

• Education: Master's Degree in City or Regional Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Public Administration, or a related field. American Institute for Certified Planners (AICP) Certification, or ability to obtain, is preferred.
• Experience: One to four years of experience in Municipal, County, regional or private sector planning.
• Technical Knowledge: Must be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, ArcView, SketchUp, and Email.
• Licenses & Certifications: Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of start date.
• Desirable Qualifications: Graphic design skills, American Institute for Certified Planners (AICP) Certification, architectural design review experience, experience using municipal land use codes, experience presenting to elected or appointed boards.

NOTE: Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required abilities, knowledge, and skills as determined by the City of Aspen may be substituted for the requirements above.

NOTE: This position requires a Criminal Background Check upon hire. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a Criminal Background Check.

Position Type and Work Hours:

• Regular full-time hours may vary with workload.
• Evenings/Weekends may be required depending on department needs and special projects.

Work Environment:

• Indoors: Office environment.
• Outdoors/Off-Site: Conduct site inspections and attend open houses. Meetings, trainings, and site visits at a variety of city facilities, housing units and areas.

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Physical Demands:

Bending: Bending or position oneself to move an object from one level to another.

Carrying: transporting or moving an object.

Climbing: Ascending or descending stationary objects.

Crouching: Bending body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination: Performing work through using two or more body parts or other devices.

Gripping/Grasping: Ability to apply pressure with fingers and palm.

Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, through use of hands, fingers, or other means.

Hearing: Perceiving and comprehending the nature and direction of sounds.

Lifting: Moving objects weighing no more than 10 pounds from one level to another.

Reaching: Extending the hands and arms or other device in any direction.

Repetitive motions: Making frequent or continuous movements.

Sitting: Remaining in a stationary position.

Standing: Ability to sustain position for a period of time.

Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.

Talking: Communicating ideas or exchanging information.

Visual Acuity: Ability to bring objects into focus.

Walking: Ability to move to traverse from one location to another.

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.

This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.