Planning Manager

We’re excited to announce an opportunity to join our team as a Planning Manager, a role that has opened due to a well‑deserved internal promotion within the department. This is an inspiring moment for our organization, and we’re looking for another visionary leader to help shape the future of our community. As Planning Manager, you will guide the Town’s vision and policy direction, leading a talented and high‑performing Planning Division through both current and long-range planning efforts. If you’re passionate about community building, equity, innovation, and navigating diverse political landscapes, we’d love to meet you.
 
Review our Planning Division’s comprehensive plan and additional resources on our Town of Erie page.  All staff are expected to adhere to the Town’s mission, vision and values of TRUE.
 

Posting Dates: 

• 02/25/2026 – 03/18/2026
• Please ensure your application is submitted and complete prior to 11:59pm on 03/18/2026, to be considered.
• All incomplete applications will be withdrawn from the process. This posting may close early without further notice. 

 

Work Location:

• Town Hall, 645 Holbrook, Erie, CO 80516
  • This position is eligible to work remotely two days a week and required to work in-office three days a week.

 

Salary Details:

MinimumMidpointMaximumFull Salary Range$111,958/year$134,350/year$156,741/year
Anticipated Hiring Range$111,958/year – $134,350/year
Hiring rates are dependent upon experience.
 
To review the full job description, environmental and physical factors please review job here.
 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Division Administration

• Leads the Planning Division as a cohesive, collaborative team.
• Works with the Deputy Director of Planning & Development to advance Department goals, objectives, and values.
• Produces and manages the Planning Division annual Work Plan consistent with department priorities, including staff assignments, scheduling, and tracking.
• Acts as a technical expert for the Town with respect to planning, zoning, and community building.
• Presents staff reports and recommendations to the Planning Commission and Town Council.
• Reviews and maintains quality and consistency of Planning Division staff reports and presentations to Planning Commission and Town Council.
• Provides Planning Division budget inputs and monitors division expenditures in alignment with the approved department budget.
• Contributes to the overall leadership culture of the Department.
• Implements customer service protocols within the Planning Division.
• Represents the Town at public events, meetings, and conferences.
• Manages the Planning Commission, serves as Staff Laision.
• Acts on behalf of the Director of Planning & Development when Deputy Director is unable.

Strategic and Comprehensive Planning

• Oversees the creation and updates to the Comprehensive Plan, Unified Development Code, and design standards and guidelines.
• Identifies and oversees long range planning analyses and plan efforts that implement the Town’s vision and strategic plan.
• Ensures community outreach is conducted to achieve a diverse range of representation and perspectives through equitable and inclusive planning and outreach processes.
• Monitors development and planning trends that impact the Town, plans, and community.

Current Planning

• Manages planning staff in conducting a wide range of development review projects such as processing annexations, zoning, plats, site plans, and amendments. Coordinates schedules, staff, department and referral agency review of new development, annexations, etc.
• Works collaboratively with the development community and property owners to achieve high quality outcomes that implement the Town’s vision and plans.
• Negotiates and mediates as needed with applicants for entitlements, document agreements, etc.

Employee Supervision

• Directly supervises, evaluates, trains, and hires staff for Current and Strategic Planning.
• Supports department values and culture through mentorship, support, and team-building efforts.
• Interacts closely and effectively with Planning Division staff, working to understand staffing needs, support employee retention and satisfaction.

Plan Administration and Implementation

• Compiles and analyzes data on economic, social, and physical factors affecting land use, and prepares graphic and narrative reports on data.
• Coordinates with adjacent jurisdictions, counties, Regional Council of Governments, and State offices to manage demographic and development projections and ensure the Town can access regional, State, and federal funding and planning opportunities.
• Administers the Comprehensive Plan, amendments, and annual reporting on metrics and progress.
• Implements the Comprehensive Plan, Town Center Plan, Gateway, and future Town-led planning efforts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, public or business administration, engineering, geography, or a related field
• Five years of increasingly relevant, responsible, progressive, comprehensive experience in community development and leadership
• A minimum of two years of management and supervisory responsibility.
• Experience in long range planning, current planning, annexations, zoning, site planning, subdivision planning, and participation in capital improvement programs.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, public or business administration, engineering, geography, or a related field.
• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

Job Expectations

• If the employee will be driving, the Town will require a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.  A motor vehicle record will be pulled through the background check.
• Attend Planning Commission meetings as the Staff Liaison. Meetings are typically scheduled to meet twice a month.
• Attend Town Council meetings on occasion as requested by Director or Deputy Director
• Working on-site at Town Hall a minimum of three days a week with the opportunity to work remote two days a week.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• This position requires extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of city planning as they pertain to design and development of urban and suburban areas, development trends, zoning, and long-term community resilience.
• Knowledge of the economics of planning and development, municipal finance, and socio-economic trends and impacts of planning are key.

Skills in:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and editing ability.
• Effective facilitation and presentation that engages others with varied interests and perspectives.
• Ability to translate complex planning concepts into understandable, actionable points for community groups, public officials, and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, consultants, contractors, developers, Town staff, and the general public.
• Attention to detail and high standards for work product and accountability.
• Ability to collaborate with and engage multiple work groups and departments.
• Active listening with ability to build bridges and trust.
• Mentorship, team building, and the ability to cultivate an inclusive, positive environment and culture.

Key Leadership Qualities:

• Exhibits effective command, courage, and resilience.
• Maintains a positive, growth-oriented mindset.
• Ability to confront difficult issues, encourage engagement and debate, and find common ground.
• Questions practices and norms with a focus toward process improvement and service.
• Politically astute and aware of key issues in the community and with decision-makers.
• Identifies talents in others and articulates strengths and limitations.
• Strategic thinker, planner, and innovator that shapes and drives a vision for the future.
• Values an organizational culture that is dedicated to continuous improvement.
• Accomplished problem-solver who can navigate ambiguity.
• Models strong interpersonal relationships with self-awareness, empathy, appreciation, and a service orientation.
• Fosters a participatory organizational climate that is open, positive, reinforcing, and supportive.

 

Pre-employment screenings include:

• Interview process
• Reference checks  
• Background checks include: National and County Criminal Scan, Sex-Offender Registry check and Motor Vehicle Report through DMV 

 

Accommodations:

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact Risk Management and Recruitment at RiskManagement@erieco.gov  and Recruitment@erieco.gov.
  

Town of Erie Benefits: 

The Town of Erie offers a comprehensive benefit package and pays a major portion of the employee premium to make these benefits more affordable for you. Coverage of these benefits begin the 1st of the month following date of hire for benefited employees regularly working an average of 30 hours per week. Each year you will have the option of changing your elections through open enrollment. Click here to learn more.
 
Designated full time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

• Robust Medical, Dental and Vision plans including spouse, domestic partner and family coverage options 
• Supplemental Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Plans  
• Employer paid Basic Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
• Employer paid Short and Long Term Disability 
• Voluntary Supplemental Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) reimbursement up to $750 per year for numerous health/wellness purchases
• Employer paid Employee Assistance Program 
• Robust Extended Sick Leave (ESL) and family sick leave program 
• 48 hours of Colorado Sick Leave preloaded on the 1st of every year; pro-rated at time of hire
• 3 ½ Weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year (increases with years of service)
• 40 hours of pre-loaded Paid Time Off (PTO) to each new employee upon hire
• Fifteen (15) Paid Holidays 
• Twenty-Four (24) Hours of Paid Volunteer Leave 
• Up to 12 weeks of paid Parental Leave for bonding with a new child 
• Option to “sell back” PTO after two years of continuous employment 
• 457 Retirement Plan, with a 5% employer match and immediate 100% vesting in your deferral AND employer contributions 
• Education reimbursement up to $3,000 per year 
• Individual free membership to the Erie Community Center and steep discounts on couple or family memberships
• Language stipend program
• Employer sponsored wellness program, including employee-based fitness classes 
• Childcare benefits which includes 10% discount to any KinderCare location in Colorado
• Half-off charging at town-owned EV charging stations 
• Pet Insurance 
• Employee Discount Program through Benefits Hub 
• Eligible for discount Dell Computer program  
• Onsite/virtual trainings for growth and development opportunities 

 We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)-qualified employer! 
 

EEOC Statement:

The Town is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any term, condition or privilege of employment. Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history), veteran status, marital status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.  This prohibition includes unlawful harassment or discrimination based on any of these protected classes.  Unlawful harassment includes verbal or physical conduct, which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating a severe, intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. This provision applies to all employees, including directors, supervisors, co-workers, and non-employees such as residents, members of all boards and task force groups, contractors, vendors, consultants, etc.