Senior Planner

Town of Vail, Colorado

About the role

The Senior Planner oversees complex development review projects, guides long-range planning initiatives, and helps preserve the distinctive mountain character that has made Vail a world-renowned destination. Reporting to the Planning Manager, this role manages complex development review applications and long-range planning assignments, coordinates planning projects, and provides professional planning recommendations. The Senior Planner serves as a technical resource for Town staff, boards, commissions, applicants, and the public, prepares and evaluates policy recommendations, zoning amendments, and special planning projects, and fosters collaboration across departments while providing exceptional customer service.

The ideal candidate is an experienced planning professional with strong technical expertise in municipal planning, land use policy, development review, and community engagement. The successful candidate manages complex planning projects, collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, communicates effectively with residents, applicants, boards, elected officials, and staff, provides technical guidance to colleagues, exercises sound professional judgment, and is committed to exceptional customer service and thoughtful planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Land Use Planning, Urban Design, or a closely related field
• Six (6) to eight (8) years of progressively responsible planning experience, preferably in municipal government
• Thorough knowledge of planning principles, zoning regulations, land development, and public administration
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Qualifications (Preferred)

• Master's degree in Planning or a related field
• AICP Certification
• Working knowledge of Colorado land use law
• GIS experience and familiarity with development review software

Pay

Salary range: $86,726–$130,089. Expected hiring range: $86,726–$108,407.50, dependent on experience and qualifications.