Principal Planner

City Hall

Full time

JR6200

Position Title:

Principal Planner

Job Description:

We are looking for a Principal Planner to support our Community and Neighborhoods Department.

Position Salary Range:

E28 - $67,121/yr. to $91,689/yr.

The established market rate for this position is $91,689/yr.

Use our total compensation calculator to see your earning potential in this role!

Relevant Experience Counts Toward Your Leave!

Salt Lake City values the professional experience you bring. Eligible new hires in full-time, benefit-eligible non-represented positions may receive leave accrual credit for prior full-time, benefit-eligible work that is directly related to this role or earned within a comparable public career service system. If selected, details about your credited leave time will be included in your offer.

This position is eligible for full city benefits, including:

• Health Insurance

• Dental, Vision and Life Insurance

• Paid vacation and personal leave

• Six to twelve weeks of paid parental leave from day 1 of employment

• Retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k)

• A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

• Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually

• Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services

Learn more about our benefits here: .

IMPORTANT: Early application submittal is encouraged. This position will remain open until filled and may close at any time without notice. The first review of applications will begin on Thursday, August 27th. The hiring team will review applications and establish an initial interview pool. Once the interview pool has been selected, further application review may be placed on hold.

Key Responsibilities:

• Performs planning analysis for complex planning projects to ensure implementation of General Plan goals, policies and zoning and subdivision ordinance regulations. Analyzes general plan policies, zoning, and subdivision ordinance compliance, negotiated development exactions, performance standards and initiates staff recommendations.

• Prepares in narrative, statistical, and graphic format comprehensive policies for the general plan, community plans, small area master plans and other projects as assigned. Prepares professional staff reports for the Mayor, City Council, Planning Commission, Historic Landmark Commission, Administrative Hearing Officer and Appeals Hearing Officer and other groups as assigned. Also prepares information about plans and planning review process for the public.

• Manages the citizen participation process for long range plans and complex development projects; maintains required records, meeting summaries, other mandatory information; facilitates solutions with citizen councils, developers, officials from the City, other municipalities, counties, regional planning agencies, the State of Utah and the Federal government.

• Reviews, interprets, and approves plans and applications for compliance with planning and development regulations for conditional uses, special exceptions, subdivisions certificates of appropriateness, Conditional Building and Site Design Review and Planned Developments and/or Capital Improvement Projects, or refers individuals to the appropriate governing agency.

• Initiates and manages the consultant selection process, implementation of plans, and contract monitoring and payment for consultant planning projects.

• Attends and/or conducts meetings to explain planning and development activities, propose conflict resolution solutions, and respond to inquiries. Makes formal presentations of planning.

• Issues to community groups, the Planning Commission, Historic Landmark Commission, Appeals Hearing Officer, Administrative Hearing Officer, Mayor, and the City Council.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in urban planning or a closely related field and two years of full time, paid, professional experience in city planning OR an equivalent combination of education and full time, paid, professional urban planning experience on a year for year basis.

• Specialized planners may require specific, specialized experience as described specifically in a job announcement.

• Ability to perform the compilation, analysis, and preparation of professional written reports and technical statistical analyses and forecasts.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of urban planning, building construction, site development, zoning ordinances, urban design, historic preservation, architecture, and landscape architecture as applied to city planning and other Federal and environmental standards, processes, and policies.

• Demonstrated ability to compose professional staff reports and planning policies. Must communicate effectively, with individuals from diverse organizations and backgrounds.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with division heads, supervisors, employees, and the public.

• Ability to visit various site locations and participate in citizen/committee meetings.

Desired Qualifications:

• Membership in the American Planning Association (APA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA) or the Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

• Possession of an AICP certificate.

• Demonstrated proficiency with the use of current graphic, design and art techniques and technologies including Adobe Creative Suite, (In Design, Photoshop, Illustrator) and Sketch-up.

• Demonstrated ability in computer applications related to planning Including Geographic Information Systems.

Working Conditions:

• Intermittent exposure to stressful situations as a result of human behavior.

• Primarily stationary position with light to moderate movement. Usually, pleasant working conditions with occasional exposure to environmental hazards and extreme climatic elements resulting from on‑site project inspections.

• May be required to work nontraditional hours such as evenings and weekends.

Offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a criminal background check in accordance with City policy and applicable law. Criminal offenses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and do not automatically disqualify a candidate from City employment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified.

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Position Type:

Full-time

Department:

Community and Neighborhoods

Full Time/Part Time:

Full time

Scheduled Hours:

40

Salt Lake City is a place where your skills and dedication directly contribute to the community. With a team serving over 200,000 residents, we take pride in delivering meaningful work—from maintaining infrastructure to shaping public programs—with integrity and professionalism.

We value experience, accountability, and results. Our organization recognizes talent and rewards contribution, offering employees opportunities to grow, lead, and make a lasting difference.

If you're driven by public service and want to help shape the future of our city, we’d love to work with you.

Salt Lake City offers a competitive and well-rounded benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and professional growth. To learn more, visit our Benefits & Wellness ( site.

Health & Wellness

• Medical insurance

• Dental, vision, life insurance

• HSA (with $1,000–$2,000 City contribution)

• Wellness clinic for employees & families

• Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Financial Perks

• Tuition reimbursement (up to $4,000/year)

• Retirement contributions (pension and/or 401(k))

• Discounted pet insurance, legal services, and more

Thinking about applying or weighing another offer?

Use our Total Compensation Calculator ( to see the true value of your job offer—including salary, benefits, retirement, and more.

We know time away from work is essential for rest, personal needs, and family life. Salt Lake City offers generous paid leave to help you recharge and stay balanced. To learn more, visit our Benefits & Wellness ( site.

• 12 vacation days to start

• 12 paid holidays + 1 personal holiday

• Up to 80 hours personal leave annually

• 6 - 12 weeks of paid parental leave

• Bonus leave credit for eligible rehires & public sector transfers

Our Recruitment Team is ready to assist you throughout the entire hiring process—from questions about job openings to application support. Reach the Recruitment Team at View phone number on click.appcast.io

Or email: View email address on click.appcast.io

The City is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Salt Lake City will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Salt Lake City is proud to be a partner of the Utah Patriot Program, providing employment opportunities for Veterans, Military and spouses. We are also a proud National Service Partner.