Planner II - Housing

Working for the City of Leadville offers more than a rewarding career—it offers the opportunity to live and work in one of Colorado’s most beautiful and unique mountain communities. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Central Colorado, Leadville is approximately a two-hour drive from Denver and sits in the stunning Arkansas River Valley, near the headwaters of the Arkansas River. Surrounded by expansive national forests and breathtaking mountain landscapes, Leadville offers incredible views of Colorado’s iconic 14,000-foot peaks and endless opportunities to explore the outdoors.

For winter enthusiasts, Leadville is ideally located near some of Colorado’s most renowned ski destinations. Ski Cooper is just a 15-minute drive from Leadville, while Copper Mountain, Vail, Beaver Creek, and Breckenridge are all approximately 45 minutes to an hour away. Whether you enjoy skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, camping, or simply spending time in the great outdoors, Leadville provides an incredible home base for year-round adventure.

Here, work-life balance means having the time and opportunity to enjoy the lifestyle that makes Leadville special. Spend your days off skiing and snowboarding in the winter, exploring miles of trails by bike or on foot, hiking through breathtaking mountain landscapes, and enjoying the long, beautiful summer days. From snowy winters to incredible summers, Leadville offers year-round opportunities to get outside, recharge, and enjoy everything the mountains have to offer.

Leadville is also rich in history and community. Our historic downtown offers a unique blend of character, charm, and local culture, with beautifully preserved historic buildings, locally owned businesses, restaurants, shops, community events, and a welcoming small-town atmosphere. Living and working in Leadville means becoming part of a community that values its history while looking toward its future.

At the City of Leadville, you will become part of a community-focused team that values collaboration, inclusion, professional growth, and the important work we do for the people we serve. We believe that a fulfilling career should be part of a fulfilling life—and Leadville offers the perfect setting for both.

Reports To: Director of Community Development and Planning

Job Summary: The Planner II – Housing position provides professional city planning work of moderate difficulty. The initial two (2) years of this work is expected to be exclusively dedicated to advancing affordable housing in the community, and is partially funded through a State of Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Local Planning Capacity (LPC) Grant. The employee will be the primary department staff member assigned to expedited review of subdivision and zoning applications that include affordable housing, as well as code amendments that create incentives for affordable housing. The position is expected to possess in-depth knowledge of the planning field related to affordable housing. After two (2) years, and depending upon further grant funding, the employee may be additionally responsible for assisting with a wide range of city planning functions. Although a DOLA LPC Grant currently partially funds this position for the initial two (2) years, this is not a temporary position. The Planner II – Housing position is a full-time position and requires a minimum of 40 hours a week, including occasional attendance at evening public meetings. This position is authorized to work remotely one (1) day per week after a six-month probationary position and approval and coordination with the Director.

See the full job description on the City of Leadville's Human Resources Department website here: https://www.leadville-co.gov/human-resources/job-opening/planner-ii-housing

Compensation: The starting salary range is $65,000 - $75,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

Paid time off (based on years of service)

Paid sick leave

Emergency leave, leave of absence, and personal leave

15 paid holidays

Employee & dependent health/dental/vision insurance (available after 30 days of continuous employment)

Life insurance ($25,000 after 30 days of continuous employment)

457 Deferred Compensation Plan w/ up to 6% employer match, available after six (6) months of continuous employment

Paid professional development and training

Paid professional organization membership

Paid professional certification maintenance

Annual merit-based salary increases

Annual cost of living increases

Flexible work schedule

Hybrid work allowed per City policy

Eligibility for employee housing

Qualifications:

Education: Master’s Degree in city planning, urban planning, or regional planning

Experience: Three (3) years of progressively responsible local government experience in land use planning, city planning, urban planning, or regional planning

Preferred Qualifications and Experience: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification, experience with drafting and plan review, professional experience related to affordable housing, public sector experience, experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and bi-lingual Spanish speaking skills

Language Skills: Ability to read, write and speak English fluently

Licenses:

• A valid Colorado Driver’s License is required within 30 days of hire
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record