Closing Date: 7/9/2025 11:59PM Arizona

The first review of applications will take place on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, with a final review after the posting close date.

Class Series

FLSA: Exempt

Department: Development Services

Reports to: Planning & Development Services Manager

Class Summary

The Principal Planner supervises the technical support staff and professional staff in the Planning Division, and provides staff support for Boards, Commission, and the Council, as well as serves on special committees. This position manages and oversees compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and standards, sets and manages policies and procedures to ensure compliance. The Principal Planner manages and takes lead on complex special projects, and is responsible for maintaining effective communication with agency teams and other divisions participating in project reviews.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Actively participate in and prepare organizational, departmental, and workgroup goals and objectives;
• Supervise staff to include prioritizing and assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, ensuring training of staff, ensuring that policies and procedures are followed, maintaining, a safe working environment, and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations;
• Manage and coordinate project/plan review activities to ensure compliance with applicable codes, ordinances, laws, and standards;
• Provides information, technical assistance, and interpretation regarding complex planning issues, land development, construction document reviews, plan reviews, codes, and regulatory compliance, design guidelines, development standards, permitted uses, project reviews, procedures, and other issues;
• Review of department staff reports and presentations
• Write staff reports including analysis, recommendations, conditions of approval, ordinances, and resolutions;
• Present staff reports/special projects to management or at public hearings;
• Administer and support the planning staff by coordinating with other departments and outside agencies, conducting meetings with developers and internal staff and project representatives;
• Provide project information to the general public, and assisting applicants through the process;
• Attend evening meetings/public hearings
• Respond to technical questions and complaints;
• Research problems and resolve conflicts;
• Conduct meetings and prepare and provide reports and information for internal and external customers and officials;
• Develop, implement, and administer operating policies and procedures while monitoring compliance;
• Assists in the development of the division work program, budget, and staffing needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, civil engineering, or related field;
• 8 years of experience in municipal planning, public or private;
• 3 years of interdisciplinary large project-project management.
• 1-3 years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of directly related education and experience.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid Arizona Driver's License.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Supervisory principles, sound management practices and techniques;
• Applicable Federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances;
• Construction principles.

SKILL IN:

• Reading engineering and architectural drawings;
• Spatial and mathematical concepts;
• Managing a budget;
• Resolving conflict;
• Evaluating architectural features through the design process and provide recommendations based on town established standards;
• Analysis and decision-making.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

Light Work – Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

This position may require stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Town of Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the Town complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.