What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Planner - Long-Range Transportation Planning Assignment position at City of Mesa?
This current vacancy is for the Transportation Assignment. First review of applications will be on Monday, November 3, 2025.
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 upon assignment.
Long-Range Transportation Planning Assignment: Conducts research on best practices and collects and analyzes transportation and land use data to identify transportation needs and support the City’s mobility goals. Reviews and interpret reports, plans, and studies to inform recommendations and evaluate potential impacts to the transportation network. Reviews development proposals for consistency with City plans, policies, and standards by interpreting site plans, schematics, and technical drawings. Implements assigned elements of the Mesa General Plan, Mesa Transportation Master Plan, and other transportation plans and studies. Researches and identifies grant opportunities to support transportation planning goals and coordinate with Planning Division staff on zoning amendments as they relate to transportation and land use planning.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 and policies; developing, managing, preparing, and implementing general and long-range plans; preparing general plan amendment recommendations; 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.
Responsibilities for assignments within Transportation may include: developing, managing, and implementing transportation planning initiatives, policies, and design guidelines to support multimodal travel, complete streets, and corridor improvements; assisting in the development of long-range plans; preparing recommendations for City Boards and Council regarding safe and efficient bicycle/pedestrian transportation; coordinating with national, regional, and local planning agencies and cities in developing and refining the regional forecasting model and betterment of bicycle awareness and usage in the state; evaluating bicycle and pedestrian transportation impacts of development proposals and roadway improvements; writing and managing grant applications to fund infrastructure, non-infrastructure grant projects, and planning initiatives; preparing and managing the bicycle and pedestrian program budget; working with schools and community groups to improve safe bicycle riding techniques, bicycle/pedestrian routes, and to increase bicycling and walking to school; planning and coordinating CycloMesa and other special events related to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program; coordinating and managing compliance of the Shared Active Transportation Vehicles program for the Transportation Department; serving as the City representative on the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee and for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects; monitoring operability of shared-use pathways, addressing community feedback, and tracking user-reported issues; supporting outreach efforts by contributing content to publications and annual reports; working with national organizations for the advancement of the City in its ranking as a Bicycle Friendly City; and serving as a City liaison for community members, organizations, and stakeholders regarding bicycle and pedestrian facilities, programs, and concerns.
Based on assignment, duties may also include: conducting technical research, analyzing data, evaluating findings, identifying significant issues, determining options, and developing staff recommendations for difficult projects; conferring with engineers, developers, architects, outside agencies, and the general public to acquire information and coordinate planning and zoning, architectural and landscape planning and design matters, or technical elements of traffic studies and general transportation planning issues; preparing for and conducting public meetings to receive input on planning projects; and interpreting and applying codes, policies, laws, standards, and regulations to ensure development, applications, City projects, and municipal code amendments are in compliance. A Senior Planner may supervise the work of paraprofessional/professional staff. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.
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.
Please refer to the link below for the full job description 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.
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, Public Administration, or a related field (based on assignment). Considerable (3 - 5 years) professional experience in transportation planning, urban planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering, land-use law, professional design, or traffic engineering (based on assignment).
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. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite Software such as Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc.
Salary : $81,611 - $118,688