Senior Planner

WE’RE HIRING: SENIOR PLANNER | BOONE COUNTY, MISSOURI

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF BOONE COUNTY

Are you an experienced planning professional who wants to see your work make a lasting impact?

Boone County is looking for a Senior Planner to join our Resource Management Office and help guide thoughtful growth, responsible development, and effective land use planning throughout the County.

This is an opportunity to put your expertise to work on projects that directly influence how our communities grow and develop.

Working with minimal supervision, you’ll take the lead on advanced professional planning work—from developing land use plans and regulations to reviewing complex development proposals, conducting research and analysis, and supporting long-range planning initiatives.

You’ll collaborate with elected officials, developers, consultants, community organizations, government agencies, County departments, and the public to help turn planning goals into meaningful results.

APPLY TODAY: https://boonemo.gov

WHAT YOU’LL DO

As a Senior Planner, you’ll have a diverse portfolio of responsibilities, including:

Research & Planning Analysis

• Conduct research, surveys, data collection, interpretation, and analysis related to planning, zoning, land use, and development.
• Evaluate community development, environmental, transportation, and regulatory issues.
• Conduct field evaluations and site assessments.

Land Use & Development

• Develop, recommend, and administer updates to the County’s Master Plan, zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, and other land use policies.
• Review and process land development, land use, and subdivision proposals for compliance with County regulations and adopted plans.
• Monitor development through construction and implementation to ensure compliance with approved plans and conditions of approval.

Public Policy & Decision-Making

• Prepare professional reports, recommendations, maps, exhibits, presentations, and supplemental materials for the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustments, County Commission, and advisory groups.
• Attend and participate in public meetings, hearings, workshops, presentations, and community events—including occasional meetings outside regular business hours.
• Provide technical planning expertise and input to County programs, including Stormwater Management.

Collaboration & Community Engagement

• Serve as a liaison with County departments, government agencies, elected officials, developers, consultants, civic organizations, and professional groups.
• Coordinate with consultants on planning studies and development of planning documents.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships while navigating complex issues with diplomacy, fairness, firmness, and sound judgment.

Leadership

• Supervise staff by assigning and reviewing work, providing training and guidance, supporting professional development, and participating in hiring, performance evaluations, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Manage multiple projects, priorities, budgets, and deadlines.

Compliance & Special Projects

• Investigate zoning violation complaints and assist with code compliance and enforcement activities.
• Prepare and administer grants supporting planning and community development initiatives.
• Maintain project files, reports, maps, tracking systems, plans, and other planning documentation.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re seeking a professional who brings strong planning expertise, sound judgment, leadership ability, and exceptional communication skills.

You should have:

• Considerable knowledge of planning and land development principles, including comprehensive planning.
• Knowledge of County, state, and federal statutes, codes, regulations, and case law related to planning and land use.
• Knowledge of applicable procurement and bidding regulations.
• Strong project management, organizational, budgeting, and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, departments, agencies, consultants, community members, and the public.
• The ability to lead, train, supervise, manage, and evaluate staff.
• The ability to approach challenging situations with professionalism, diplomacy, fairness, firmness, and sound judgment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Planning or a related field plus four years of experience in planning or engineering design or Master’s degree in a related field plus two years of experience in planning or engineering.

Additional requirements:

• Must be certified through AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) or can obtain certification within two years.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to drive a county vehicle.

POSITION DETAILS

Job Type: Full-Time

Status: Exempt, Benefited

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Work Location: In person

Salary: $73,403.20–$78,686.30 per year

Occasional evening, weekend, and outside-business-hours work is required for meetings, hearings, presentations, and community events.

This position includes both professional office work and field activities. The Senior Planner may visit development sites, navigate outdoor terrain, conduct field evaluations, and travel to off-site locations in a county vehicle.

BENEFITS THAT START DAY ONE

Benefit-eligible employees receive:

• Paid vacation
• 14 paid holidays
• Enrollment in the County Employees Retirement Fund
• Two matching deferred compensation plans
• 100% County-paid or low-cost employee health insurance premium options
• 100% County-paid employee dental premiums
• Subsidized dependent premiums
• County-paid long-term disability and life insurance
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness qualifying employment
• Additional retirement, wellness, vision, life insurance, and employee assistance benefits

WHY BOONE COUNTY?

Boone County is at the heart of a growing and vibrant Mid-Missouri region. Your work will help shape communities, guide development, protect quality of life, and influence the County’s future.

Located in Columbia, Missouri, you’ll have access to a thriving college-town atmosphere, an active arts and cultural scene, great restaurants and local events, and an incredible outdoor lifestyle.

Explore more than 278 miles of local trails, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, the surrounding Missouri River Valley, and nearby outdoor destinations. Plus, Jefferson City, Lake of the Ozarks, St. Louis, and Kansas City are all within approximately a two-hour drive.

READY TO HELP SHAPE WHAT’S NEXT?

If you’re an experienced planner ready to take on meaningful challenges and help guide the future of Boone County, we want to hear from you!

APPLY TODAY: www.boonemo.gov

Learn more about working for Boone County: https://youtu.be/xCtE48jgaV4

Bring your planning expertise. Lead with purpose. Help shape the future of Boone County.

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