Planner II / Senior Planner / Principal Planner - Urban Design Assignment

First review of applications will be Monday, September 8, 2025, and weekly thereafter.

The current vacancy for the Urban Design Assignment will be filled at either the Planner II, Senior Planner, or Principal Planner level.

Planner II ($74,017.01 - $107,644.37 annually)

A Planner II performs professional-level planning work involving research, analysis, and technical assistance on major projects. Employees are expected to perform at a journey-level capacity in the following functional areas: long-range planning, planning and zoning review, design review, subdivision, zoning administration, permit plans review, or historical and cultural resource reviews and preservation. Responsibilities may vary by assignment and can include conducting preliminary and final plat review; reviewing development proposals for consistency with adopted standards and regulations; providing staff support and reports to various boards, committees, and Council; conducting technical research, analyzing data, evaluating findings, identifying significant issues, determining options, and developing staff recommendations; and conferring with engineers, developers, architects, other City staff, outside agencies, and the general public to acquire information and coordinate planning issues, apply codes, laws, standards, and regulations to ensure applications and development are in compliance with the City's ordinances and development standards of various units and departments, as well as policy direction from boards and Council. A Planner II may assist in training new and entry-level staff and/or may be assigned supervisory duties. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required. This class is distinguished from the Planner I class by having greater planning experience with the City, the continuing capacity to perform at the journey-level, and the thorough understanding of the zoning ordinance and council's policy direction contained within various city plans. Employees may progress to this class by noncompetitive promotion upon meeting the specific criteria-based promotion requirements. This class is supervised by a Senior Planner, Principal Planner, Assistant Planning Director, or Planning Director who reviews work through conferences, meetings, reports, and results achieved. This class is FLSA exempt-administrative.

Urban Design Assignment: A Planner II working within the Urban Design Assignment performs professional-level planning work with a focus on urban design. Duties include, but are not limited to: research, analysis, and technical assistance on major projects; leading urban design projects and making recommendations on creating great places; providing design guidance for City initiated projects; preparing design graphics for public meetings and illustrations; preparing schematic designs and preliminary plans for streetscape improvements and integrated community urban design plans; coordinating with private developers, planners, and other City Departments on applicant projects to review design concepts and recommend potential design changes; preparing graphics for presentations; coordinating and performing research related to design projects and programs; making presentations to various boards; and coordinating and facilitating public meetings and making presentations to community groups and agencies.

Senior Planner ($81,610.88 - $118,687.71 annually)

A Senior Planner performs advanced-level professional planning work of considerable difficulty and manages complex planning projects to completion. Areas of assignment may include current planning, long-range planning, long-range transportation planning, urban design, and transportation planning. Employees in this class may also serve as a staff liaison for regional and local planning agencies and City boards such as the Planning and Zoning Board, Design Review Board, or Board of Adjustment, depending on assignment.

Responsibilities for assignments within Planning may include: lead expert in area of responsibility; developing, managing, and implementing land use planning initiatives, policies, and design guidelines; developing, managing, and implementing urban design and placemaking initiatives, policies, and design guidelines; developing, managing, preparing, and implementing general and long-range plans; preparing general plan amendment recommendation; analysis of demographic and census data; research and analysis of key planning trends to be considered in the City; writing and managing grant applications to fund infrastructure, non-infrastructure grant projects, and planning initiatives; review and approval of major residential, commercial, and industrial development projects; design review of commercial, office, industrial, and residential development building and landscape proposals; recommendations of land use, entitlement requests, and specific site plan proposals; conducting land division review; leading a team for process improvement projects and change management; proofing own work and work of others; plan, organize, and supervise the work of others; and application of basic supervisory techniques. The Senior Planner class is distinguished from the Planner II by the responsibility for serving as a primary subject matter specialist in the area of assignment. This class is supervised by a Principal Planner, Assistant Planning Director, the Planning Director, or a Supervising Engineer (based on assignment) who reviews work through meetings, conferences, and results achieved. This class is FLSA exempt-administrative.

Principal Planner ($94,465.70 - $137,385.25 annually)

A Principal Planner performs advanced-level professional planning and supervisory work that may oversee an entire Unit or portions of a Unit within the department. A Principal Planner is responsible for administrative functions and for managing/supervising professional planners, architects, landscape architects, engineers, and/or paraprofessional/technical staff either directly or through subordinate supervisors. This class is responsible for directing, overseeing, and assigning work activities and projects; monitoring workflow; and reviewing and evaluating reports, documents, and recommendations. Work assignments are done with considerable independence. Employees in this class may perform any combination of Current, Long-Range Planning, or Urban Design duties as assigned. This class performs related duties as required. Work is performed with general instructions from the Planning Director or Department Director who reviews work through meetings, conferences, and results achieved. This class is FLSA exempt- administrative.

Urban Design Assignment: duties include, but are not limited to: supervising the Urban Planning Unit by leading urban design projects and recommendations in creating great places; providing design guidance for City initiated projects; preparing design graphics for public meetings and illustrations; preparing schematic designs and preliminary plans for streetscape improvements and integrated community urban design plans; coordinating with private developers, planners, and other City Departments on applicant projects to review design concepts and recommend potential design changes; preparing graphics for presentations; coordinating and performing research related to design projects and programs; making presentations to City Council and various boards; and coordinating and facilitating public meetings and make presentations to community groups and agencies.

Please refer to the links below for the full job descriptions and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.

Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Planner II:

Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Urban Design, or related field. Urban Design Assignment: Two years professional experience in urban design or a combination of at least one-year professional experience in urban design and at least one-year professional planning experience.

Special Requirement. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License within 90 days of hire or promotion date.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in the same fields of study is preferred. Certification and membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners and National and State Planning Associations are preferred. Registration as an Architect or Landscape Architect is highly desirable. Good (1 - 3 years) experience reviewing development proposals; working with databases, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and/or ArcView; and experience with group facilitation are also highly desirable. Internet and/or web page development is desirable. Urban Design Assignment: Registration as an Architect or Landscape Architect is highly desirable. Experience with SketchUp, Lumion, ArcGIS Urban, ArcGIS City Engine, ArcGIS Story Maps, or related. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite Software such as, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc.

Senior Planner:

Minimum Qualifications Required. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Transportation Planning, or a related field (based on assignment). Urban Design Assignment: Considerable (3 - 5 years) professional experience in urban design or a combination of at least two-years professional experience in urban design and at least one-year professional planning experience.

Special Requirement. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License within 90 days of hire or promotion date.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. American Institute of Certified Planners certification and graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree are highly desirable. Urban Design Assignment: Registration as an Architect or Landscape Architect is highly desirable. Experience with SketchUp, Lumion, ArcGIS Urban, ArcGIS City Engine, ArcGIS Story Maps, or related. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite Software such as Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc.

Principal Planner:

Minimum Qualifications Required. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, GIS (Geographic Information System), Civil Engineering, or a related field. Extensive (5+ years) professional experience in urban design, including good (1 - 3 years) supervisory experience.

Special Requirements. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License within 90 days of hire or promotion date.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. A Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate field; and certification by the American Society of Landscape Architects, American Institute of Architects, and/or American Institute of Certified Planners are preferred. Urban Design Assignment: A degree in Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, or Architecture. Registration as an Architect or Landscape Architect is highly desirable. Experience with SketchUp, Lumion, ArcGIS Urban, ArcGIS City Engine, ArcGIS Story Maps, or related. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite Software such as Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc.

Planner II:

Senior Planner:

Principal Planner: