Senior Planner - Development Services (Prescott) at Yavapai County Government – Prescott, Arizona

Shape the future at Yavapai County!

Yavapai County Development Services is seeking a visionary Senior Planner to lead innovative long-range planning projects, craft and refine zoning ordinances, and guide comprehensive plan updates. The ideal candidate will have a master’s degree in professional planning or hold an AICP certification, with proven expertise in planning, policy analysis, and grant writing. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting impact on our growing communities.

The Senior Planner plays a key role in shaping the County’s future through strategic long-range planning initiatives, policy development, and ordinance updates. This position leads and coordinates the complex planning projects, including the preparation, drafting, analysis, and presentation of zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan amendments. This role also involves engaging with diverse stakeholders, conducting in-depth research, and preparing clear and compelling reports and presentations for boards, commissions, and the public.

Preferred Qualifications:

A Master’s Degree in Professional Planning and/or AICP Certification is highly desired. Experience in Long Range Planning Activities, grant writing and associated administrative experience. Experience in drafting, editing, and analyzing zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan amendments.

Review complete class specification for Senior Planner here.

• Performs planning, site plan and complex development application review; prepares and presents planning cases for public hearings.
• Reviews and develops recommended departmental positions on zoning reclassifications, exceptions, variances, and drafts administrative decisions.
• Conducts or directly assists key staff and planning firms in the review and formulation of special studies, proposals, planning or zoning code policies, updates, and amendments.
• Supports county boards, commissions, and committees; leads and/or participates in inter-agency planning teams, and processes.
• Gathers, analyzes, and interprets data relating to local social, economic, population, housing, industrial development, zoning, and land uses.
• Reviews and analyzes legislative provisions; prepares revised drafts of laws or regulations.
• Assists in the preparation of graphic materials concerned with planning cases, planning problems and elements of the comprehensive plan.
• Assists with the design and implementation of public involvement, information, and communication processes.
• Provides customer service, responding to public inquiries, explaining regulations, procedures, and plans.
• Reviews and processes applications for development, including use permits, rezonings, subdivision plats, replats, Planned Area Development rezoning cases, variances, building permits, etc., including the preparation and presentation of planning cases before the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Supervisors and Board of Adjustment.
• Conducts and participates in periodic reviews, preparation, updates, and amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, Planning & Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Regulations.
• Conducts research, preparation, application submission, and administration of technical grant applications.
• Researches planning/land use-related issues, gathers and analyzes data, compiles information, prepares reports and presentations.
• Performs related planning work and assists Planning Unit Manager and other Units of Development Services as needed.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field.

Experience:
Five (5) or more years of experience in professional planning, public administration, and public policy.

An equivalent combination of directly related work experience and education may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-per-year basis.

Additional Requirements:
Must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license.