JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary:

The Planner II – Housing position provides professional city planning work of moderate difficulty. The initial two (2) years are expected to be exclusively dedicated to advancing affordable housing in the community and are partially funded through a State of Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Local Planning Capacity (LPC) Grant. The employee will be the primary department staff member assigned to expedited review of subdivision and zoning applications that include affordable housing, as well as code amendments that create incentives for affordable housing. The position is expected to possess in-depth knowledge of planning related to affordable housing. After two (2) years, and depending upon further grant funding, the employee may assist with a wide range of city planning functions. Although a DOLA LPC Grant partially funds this position for the initial two (2) years, this is not a temporary position. The Planner II – Housing position is full-time and requires a minimum of 40 hours per week, including occasional evening public meetings. The position is authorized to work remotely one (1) day per week after a six-month probationary period and approval and coordination with the Director.

Essential Duties:

The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by this position. The duties below provide a representative summary of major duties and responsibilities.

• Advance housing goals in the City of Leadville, focusing on incentives for affordable housing.

• Facilitate expedited review and oversee affordable housing development activities.

• Process Conditional Use Permit, Administrative Permit, Site Plan, Subdivision, Development Agreement, Annexation, Variance, and Building Permit applications that include deed-restricted affordable housing to achieve Proposition 123 affordable housing unit commitments.

• Implement affordable housing objectives, strategies, and actions from the 2025 City of Leadville Strategic Plan and 2026 Joint Leadville-Lake County Comprehensive Plan.

• Facilitate subdivision and zoning code amendments to incentivize affordable housing and housing type diversity.

• Serve as liaison with developers during development review and construction; pursue and manage affordable housing funding; and track and report Proposition 123-related efforts.

• Conduct community engagement for affordable-housing-related code amendments and ensure participation by key stakeholders, especially underrepresented voices and housing cost-burdened residents and local workers.

• Complete monthly DOLA performance metric reporting and acknowledge DOLA in materials and events promoting or educating the public about housing-related work.

• Maintain complete digital files of records, documents, communications, notes, and other materials related to assigned activities.

• Review development and subdivision plans, including conceptual, sketch, preliminary, final, site, grading, landscaping, floor, roof, architectural elevations, construction management, three-dimensional modeling, renderings, civil engineering, surveys, plats, and easements.

• Prepare staff reports and memoranda evaluating land use applications for compliance with City code; present staff recommendations and development proposals to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council; and attend regular and special meetings, including evenings.

• Collaborate with and support the Leadville Lake County Regional Housing Authority (LLCRHA) Board and staff, including attending meetings, coordinating formal deed-restriction approvals, and serving on the Development Subcommittee.

• Serve as project manager for complex development applications, performing analysis and development review for compliance with City code and required deadlines.

• Provide follow-up support to the Lake County Building Department after subdivision or zoning approval; compare building plans with zoning and subdivision plans; review building permits and certificates of occupancy/completion; conduct site and construction inspections; calculate fees; review surveys and improvement location certificates; prepare, file, and record deed restrictions, agreements, and restrictive covenants; and administer construction guarantees, including cash deposit agreements.

• Assist with long-range planning, including annexations, development agreements, policy and code amendment recommendations, ordinances, comprehensive plan elements, research, and discussion documents.

• Utilize the Department's e-permitting software; research, collect, and analyze planning data; interpret and apply local, state, and federal laws and regulations; and monitor compliance with codes, plans, agreements, agency policies and procedures, and applicable rules and regulations.

• Identify community problems, issues, and opportunities that could be mitigated through better community planning; coordinate with City departments and referral agencies; and establish effective working relationships with City officials, employees, agencies, stakeholders, and the public.

• Serve as a positive, productive, and supportive team member; maintain regular, predictable, and punctual attendance; meet the physical requirements and working conditions of the position; work a flexible schedule that may include evening meetings; maintain professional education and certification; and perform other related duties as assigned.

Additional Duties:

• Respond to e-mails, phone calls, and in-person inquiries regarding zoning, subdivision, land use, and development matters.

• Assist with department front-counter coverage, answering questions about City codes and ordinances and guiding applicants through the development review process.

• Communicate and interpret subdivision and zoning code requirements, including affordable housing regulations, to the public.

• Provide accurate planning information to property owners, architects, developers, realtors, appraisers, City and County departments, contractors, and the public.

• Participate in process improvement activities.

Qualifications:

Education: Master's Degree in city planning, urban planning, or regional planning.

Experience: Three (3) years of progressively responsible local government experience in land use planning, city planning, urban planning, or regional planning.

Language Skills: Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.

Licenses:

• A valid Colorado Driver's License is required within 30 days of hire.

• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification; experience with drafting and plan review; professional experience related to affordable housing; public sector experience; experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS); and bilingual Spanish-speaking skills.

BENEFITS

• Paid time off and sick leave
• 15 paid holidays
• Health, dental and vision insurance after 30 days
• $25,000 life insurance after 30 days
• 457 plan with up to 6% employer match after 6 months
• Paid professional development and certification
• Annual merit and cost-of-living increases
• Flexible and hybrid work options
• Employee housing eligibility