Development Planner Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $82,887.37 - $103,609.22 Annually
Location : 1 Main St, Frisco, CO
Job Type: Year Round Full Time
Job Number: 2026-0702
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 08/11/2026
Closing Date: 9/8/2026 11:00 PM Mountain
Language Pay: Fluency in Spanish is compensated based on proficiency measurement from the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages structure.
Job Description
The Principal Planner is a full-time, on-site, year-round exempt/salaried position which initiates and implements community development programs and services along with performing professional planning duties of high complexity and variety. The Principal Planner is a manager and provides guidance to the Planners and Technician providing actionable constructive feedback on deliverables and coaches staff through complex challenges. The Principal Planner is able to exercise independence and judgment, receiving general supervision from senior management. This position leads, and is significantly involved with larger, more complex current planning applications, master planning projects and other long-range planning or special projects as assigned. The Principal Planner may engage in negotiations on behalf of the Town regarding special projects, contracts and related project management. Projects assigned to a Principal Planner are typically more complex projects that demand creativity and may have significant public relations challenges.
Budgeted hiring wage range = $82,887.372 - $103,609.216
Full wage range*=Min: $82,887.372, Mid: $103,609.216, Max: $124,331.059
*wage offer based on specific job experience and education
Responsibilities
Essential Functions

• Reviews and manages complex planning studies, development applications (zoning, PUDs, large development applications, subdivision plats, etc.) to determine conformance and appropriateness with regards to the Town's goals, Comprehensive Plan, and Code requirements. Assesses the compliance of proposals with applicable plans, regulations, ordinances, and policies, and prepares and presents professional staff reports to the Planning Commission and Town Council.
• Manage Planning and Technician Staff, including conducting performance evaluations, managing workflows, and resolving workplace conflicts to maintain productivity and workforce satisfaction.
• Prepares and presents information including PowerPoint presentations at Town Council, Planning Commission, or other meetings, workshops and events to explain land use options, projects, and programs. Creates printed and digital information materials; writes and produces letters, public notices, forms, and articles for Town newsletters.
• Responds to public inquiries via phone and e-mail, and in-person meetings relating to planning processes, proposed developments, code requirements and building permit application procedures.
• Assigns and reviews work, advises on problems/issues and reviews work for accuracy and completeness.
• Prepares grants. Conducts special projects and performs related work as assigned.
• Ability to function and make good decisions in the absence of a supervisor. Works under broad direction with minimal functional oversight. Informed guidance is available to achieve objectives.
• Assists the Community Development Director in managing the day-to-day operations of the Community Development Department and performing certain duties of the Director in his/her absence.
• Communicates in a professional, courteous and timely manner both verbally and written when dealing with Town of Frisco Employees,citizens, customers andvendors.
• Responsible for staff selection, training and performance management process.

Marginal Duties

• Develop detailed project plans, including scope of work and project budget, prepare RFQs / RFPs, administer consultant/contractor selection process, and oversee contract expenditures and compliance.
• Investigate and track citizen-initiated zoning complaints, conduct field inspections to identify potential code violations, and facilitate compliance through follow-up notices, correspondence, and case documentation.
• Prepares reports on town and department operations and activities, recommending improvements and modifications.
• Performs complex and diverse administrative, technical, analytical and professional work and administrative tasks including public assistance and customer service, data and budget management, and research related to housing.
• Works in regional program areas relating to climate change, natural/water resources planning, community development, hazard mitigation, etc.

Other Essential Responsibilities:

• This position requires regular and reliable in-person attendance at the designated worksite as an essential function of the job. As a public servant, physical presence is necessary to effectively perform essential duties, support operational needs, collaborate with team members, provide direct service to the public and internal stakeholders, utilize on-site equipment and resources, and maintain effective communication, responsiveness, and accountability in serving the community.
• Adheres to Town of Frisco policies, mission, vision, values, competencies, standards, and regulations including but not limited to proper attire, safety procedures, and overall professionalism.
• Attends Town and departmental training and meetings as appropriate or assigned.
• Ability to function and make good decisions in the absence of a supervisor.
• Communicates with Town of Frisco employees, citizens, customers and vendors in a professional, courteous and timely manner both verbally and in writing.
• Performs other job duties/responsibilities as assigned by management.
• Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job, demonstrates accountability for work, and takes ownership in job performance.

Requirements
Specific knowledge, skills and abilities needed for position:
Area
Comments
Education:

• Preferred: Bachelor's Degree in urban planning, urban design, natural resources planning, architecture, public administration or a closely related field preferred; or equivalent experience.

Computer Operations:

• Required: Microsoft Office software
• Preferred: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software preferred
• Preferred: Bluebeam software
• Preferred: Permit Tracking Software experience

Licenses, Certifications or Accreditations:

• Required: CPR/AED & First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain within the first 6 months or 1 month if seasonal/temporary position. Training provided by the Town.)
• Required: Colorado Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
• Preferred: Member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

Previous Work Experience:

• Required: At least eight (8) years prior experience in the field of community development or a closely related field. Including two (2) or more years of GIS experience preferred.

Previous Supervisory Exercised:

• Preferred: Minimum two years supervisory experience.

Language Ability:

• Required: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

Decision Making Ability:

• Required: Demonstrated ability to function independently and make sound and reasonable decisions in the absence of supervisory guidance.

Other:

• Required: Ability to pass a background investigation.
• Required: Public speaking and effective writing skills.
• Preferred: Local, county, or applicable consulting planning work where the majority of work was with municipal clients.

Physical Demands
Weight
LIFTING
The job require weight to be lifted or force to be exerted. Below states how much and how often.
Activities
OTHER PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED: Job time spent performing the following is stated below.
Up to 10 Pounds
2/3 OR MORE
Standing
1/3 to 2/3
Up to 25 Pounds
UP TO 1/3
Walking
1/3 to 2/3
Up to 50 Pounds
UP TO 1/3
Sitting
2/3 OR MORE
Up to 100 Pounds
None
Using hands to finger, hands to feel
2/3 OR MORE
More than 100 Pounds
None
Reaching with hands and arms
2/3 OR MORE
Climb or balance
UP TO 1/3
Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
UP TO 1/3
Talk or hear
2/3 OR MORE
Taste or smell
None
OTHER PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIREMENTS OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Indoor/Outdoor:
Indoor and outdoor with the ability to work in all weather conditions.
Holidays/Weekends/Evenings:
Evening meetings with Planning Commission on the first and third Thursday of each month as well as occasional evening meetings with Town Council held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.
Equipment Used in Job:
Shared Town vehicle pool, computer, phone, printer, copier, fax, scanner
VISION: Specific vision requirements for this job are stated below.
Close Vision: Yes
Distance Vision: No
Color Vision: Yes
Peripheral Vision: No
Depth Perception: No
Ability to adjust focus: Yes
Additional Information
Position Title:
Principal Planner
Department:
Community Development
Cost Center:
1119
Employee Type:
Year-round, Full-time
Pay Type/FLSA:
Exempt / Salary
Pay Grade:
Pay Grade 8
Reports to: Community Development Director
Frequent internal contacts:
Town Manager
Human Resources
Community Development Staff
Frequent external contacts:
Architects
Owner's Representatives
Number of employees under supervision and titles:
Planner I, Planner II, Community Development Technician
Job Location:
Onsite
Why work for the Town of Frisco as the Principal Planner? There are many reasons!
Some amazing incentives are the convenience of a clean car year-round with a FREE car wash, free recycling, trash, and compost pick up. Summer incentives include free paddle sports, a free 2-hour pontoon/fishing boat rental reservation (one per employee) and free boat rentals if not rented for the final rental of the day. Winter incentives include free tubing at the Frisco Adventure Park, free Nordic Center passes for employee and family, free Terrain Park pass, friends and family passes for tubing, Copper Mountain discounted season passes, Copper Mountain free daily lift ticket voucher program for employee and half off for dependents. Want to know more? Check out the benefits tab above. And of course, don't forget to apply to take advantage of the cool perks and the amazing opportunity that awaits you!
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job. Other duties may be assigned.
The Town of Frisco is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.
Full-time Benefits:

• Through UnitedHealthcare, UMR and HealthSCOPE Benefits creates and publishes the Machine-Readable Files on behalf of the Town of Frisco. To link to the Machine-Readable Files, please click on the URL provided:

Incentives: (note the job-type category columns for appropirate incentives):
01
Do you have a Bachelor's degree or higher in urban planning, urban design, natural resources planning, architecture, public administration or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

02
Please describe your interest in Community Development.
03
Tell us about your experience in community development or a closely related field and briefly describe your skills and experience in municipal current planning including reviewing development proposals, processing development applications, and writing staff reports. If you do not have experience, please put NA.
04
Can you attend evening Town Council and Planning Commission meeting?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you have experience in public-sector, government, or community-facing communications?
06
Please describe your guest service philosophy.
07
Please describe your leadership philosophy.
Required Question