What are the responsibilities and job description for the Open Space Planner Principal position at City of Boulder, CO?
It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!
Application Deadline:
February 20, 2025
Compensation Details:
Full Pay Range
85,155.20 - 126,505.60
Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range.This is a full-time salaried position.
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Benefit Eligibility Group:
Non Union (30 Hours)
Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the
Employee Benefit Eligibility
document to identify the benefits offered for this job.
Job Description Summary:
Under limited direction, the Principal Planner will work collaboratively across multifunctional teams to develop innovative and strategic land management solutions. Working with other staff, City departments, regional partners, and community members this position plays a pivotal role in crafting and integrating policy guiding the stewardship of natural, cultural, scenic, agricultural and recreational land management. Consensus building is a key function, as is project management for a wide range of planning projects.
Job Description:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- System-wide planning: Coordinates and leads the development or updating of visitor and recreation management plans, land and resource management plans, and the OSMP Master Plan, coordinating staff teams, contractors/consultants, and members of the public. Develops systemwide policy in accordance with city practices and priorities, and plan commitments. Develops and leads inclusive community engagement opportunities. Makes recommendations to support the advancement and integration of all open space policy including policy around ecosystem health and resilience, agriculture, responsible recreation, stewardship and enjoyment, community connections, education and inclusion, and financial sustainability. Presents and makes recommendations to boards and council.
Area and site-planning: Coordinates and leads the development of area and site plans for discrete, geographic locations or regions within the larger OSMP system at the conceptual and/or schematic design level. Makes recommendations to integrate and help translate broader guidance into actionable implementation plans, integrated into coordinated workplans and the department’s capital and operating budgets that inform department work planning. Develops and leads inclusive community engagement opportunities and presents and makes recommendations to boards and council.
City-wide and regional planning: Serves as a liaison and departmental representative to local and regional government agencies and serve as departmental project manager for local and regional planning initiatives and projects, including among other things regional trails and comprehensive planning.
Strategic leadership: This position offers the chance to help lead the workgroup in evolving and adapting the department’s planning framework, deliverables, and approach as well as how to integrate priority initiatives such as addressing the global climate crisis, resilience, and equity.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability and desire to create meaningful community input opportunities and work with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
- Ability to engage with ecologists and other subject matter experts (e.g. agricultural, water, trails specialists) and data to soundly analyze resources and develop recommendations.
- Ability to actively listen and open to the ideas of colleagues.
- Ability to analyze and synthesize large amounts of complex information.
- Ability to and comfortable with working in teams as well as independently with limited supervision.
- Ability to be patient and sensitive with people and processes.
- Ability to continuously update skills, knowledge and planning methods.
- Ability to create plans that have practical implementation actions that include cost estimates to inform department work planning.
- Ability to demonstrate a high level of skill in designing and managing complex projects related to the management of open space/public lands.
- Ability to demonstrate consensus-building skills with a broad range of stakeholders, partners, members of the public and decision makers.
- Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public, consultants and employees at all levels of the organization; demonstrate composure, confidence and respect when working with higher level management, boards and commissions and council members.
- Ability to demonstrate verbal, written and graphic communication skills, including report writing, oral and graphic presentation techniques.
- Ability to independently prioritize tasks and attend to a broad range of activities.
- Ability to lead planning projects which involve politically sensitive or controversial issues.
- Ability to shift gears comfortably and effectively cope with and manage change.
- Ability to use time effectively and efficiently; values time.
- Knowledge of and highly skilled in plan development, strategy and/or policy development.
- Knowledge of and proficient skill in GIS and Adobe products to generate plans and graphics that communicate concepts and policy.
- Knowledge of and well-developed leadership skills and proven ability to recommend innovative solutions that meet multiple interests.
- Knowledge of how to get things done in the organizational or planning environment (with council, boards and commissions, departmental directors, etc.).
- Skill in concentrating efforts on the more important priorities.
- Skill in consensus building and diplomacy, including ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and groups in potentially controversial situations.
- Skill in facilitating productive dialogue and structured decision-making.
- Skill in leading and engaging others with emotional intelligence.
- Valid Driver’s License and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.
- Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge and understanding of the community, or similar community, including Boulder’s geography, engaged citizenry, and interests.
- Knowledge of and demonstrated experience and success in plan development, strategy and/or policy development on public lands, parks, open space or natural areas and knowledge of principles, practices, and trends in natural, cultural, agricultural, and recreational resource planning.
- Skill in supervising others.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Master’s degree in Urban/Environmental Planning, Landscape Architecture, or related field; or equivalent of twelve (12) years of experience may substitute for the education requirement only.
- Seven (7) years of experience.
SUPERVISION
Supervision Received: Planning Senior Manager
Supervision Exercised: None
WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Physical and Mental Effort: Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person. Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials. Sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment. Ability to lift and carry up to 20 lbs. Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to work in an office setting. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/ or operating a keyboard. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.
- Work Environment: Primarily works in an office environment but will occasionally work in an outdoor environment year-round. Occasionally works select nights or weekends to attend and participate in board, council, or community engagement events. Hybrid work environment, working on-site in city facilities two (2) days per week is required with part-time from home.
- Machines and Equipment Used: Frequently uses standard office equipment including computers, telephones, calculators and copy machines.
Additional Job Description:
Last updated 1/16/25
The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to riskmanagement@bouldercolorado.gov.
