Principal Planner Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Flagstaff, AZ
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Job Number: 0804767
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 07/22/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Nature of Work
Under general supervision performs work of considerable difficulty overseeing and participating in current and long-range planning activities and zoning ordinance administration; performs related work as assigned.
Hiring Range:
$74,532.00 - $85,711.80
Typical Duties
• Manages current planning processes including public hearing processes
• Manages current planning staff and coordinates with County-wide staff
• Administers zoning and subdivision ordinances
• Consults with developers and property owners
• Conducts site plan review, reviews plans and processes requests for subdivisions, rezoning, use permits, and variances
• Ensures proposals and plans conform to regulatory requirements and are consistent with County planning policies
• Presents cases and makes recommendations to various boards and commissions
• Approves applications for temporary use permits, administrative adjustments, and minor land divisions
• Participates in development, implementation, and revision of land use plans and ordinances
• Prepares and maintains records and reports
• Represents the County on committees, in public meetings and at conferences
Essential functions of this position include: driving, sitting at desk, working with and around others; hearing and speech for communicating; finger dexterity to work on keyboard for writing reports and correspondence.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in planning, geography or a related field and four years of progressively responsible professional land use planning experience, including work with current and long-range planning activities; OR
Associate's degree in planning, geography or a related field and five years of progressively responsible professional land use planning experience, including work with current and long-range planning activities; OR
Six years of progressively responsible professional land use planning experience, including work with current and long-range planning activities; OR
Any combination of education, training or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with rural development in areas lacking infrastructure and services
• Experience coordinating permits and among multiple departments and jurisdictions
• Experience managing and coordinating entitlement requests through commissions and elected governing bodies
• Ability to grow productive relationships with private sector industry and local communities
• Effective written and oral communication skills with the public, development professionals and decision makers
• Ability to manage change and continually improve processes

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree or higher in planning, an AICP certification, and over five (5) years of progressively increased responsibility in public sector city or county planning.
This position is non-exempt from overtime.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of:
- Principles, practices and techniques of community and land use planning
- Land use ordinances and regulations, subdivision standards, zoning ordinances and other pertinent statutory requirements
- County, state and federal laws pertaining to County planning and zoning
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, or eligibility to become certified preferred
Working knowledge of:
- Graphic techniques and use of GIS maps
- Basic statistical methods
- Principles and practices of supervision and management
Ability to:
- Apply the principles and practices of land use planning
- Accurately interpret and evaluate planning and land use issues, laws, requirements and objectives to interested groups and the general public
- Conduct research; evaluate statistical data and present facts and conclusions clearly in written, graphic and oral form
- Meet and deal tactfully with the public, special interest groups, developers and property owners
- Represent County position on land use issues to advisory bodies, citizen groups, other agencies and the public
- Work safely and support the culture of workplace safety
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public
- Follow written and verbal instructions
- Find solutions and efficiently help community members
- Continually improve processes to better and more efficiently serve the public
- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to laypersons and County leaders
Coconino County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
Employee Benefits
Coconino County offers a comprehensive employee benefits
package to regular employees working 30 or more hours per week that includes:
(Regular Part Time employees receive some benefits on a pro-rated basis. Temporary and Seasonal employees do not receive benefits. Elected officials are not eligible for vacation and sick leave.)

• Vacation/Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 10 Holidays Per Year
• Health Care Insurance
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Group Life Insurance
• Pre-Tax Deduction Plan
• Sick Leave Conversion Plan
• Personal Day Purchase Program
• Vacation Sell Back Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Wellness Program
• Long-Term Disability
• Arizona State Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
• On-going Training Opportunities
• Free bus transportation/ EcoPass bus pass

Elective Coverage

• Dependent Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Supplemental Life (for employees & dependents)
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Tax-deferred investment program
• Accidental and Disability Insurance
• Short Term Disability