What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planner position at County of San Juan (NM)?
San Juan County is seeking a Planner who is passionate about community development, land use, and creating sustainable growth. This is more than a planning position. It is an opportunity to influence how our communities grow while preserving the character, history, and natural beauty that make the Four Corners region extraordinary. Imagine a career where your work helps shape the future of one of the most unique regions in the Southwest. Nestled in the heart of the Four Corners, San Juan County offers breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, outdoor recreation, and thriving communities where thoughtful planning makes a lasting impact.
As a Planner, you will work closely with property owners, developers, elected officials, community organizations, and County leadership to guide development projects, review subdivision and site plans, update land development regulations, and help implement the County's Growth Management Plan. Every project presents an opportunity to balance responsible growth with exceptional customer service while helping shape the future of San Juan County.
Why San Juan County?Working for San Juan County means serving communities where your ideas become reality. From vibrant municipalities to scenic rural landscapes, you'll help preserve what makes the Four Corners special while planning for future generations. You'll enjoy meaningful public service, professional growth, diverse projects, and the opportunity to make a visible difference in one of New Mexico's most distinctive regions.
If you're ready to help guide responsible growth, protect community character, and create places where people can live, work, and thrive, we'd love to hear from you.
Join San Juan County and help shape the future of the Four Corners, one community at a time.
- Bachelor's degree in Land Use Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
- Two (2) years of professional planning experience involving zoning, subdivision review, permitting, site review, or development regulations.
- Valid State of New Mexico Driver's license or able to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
- An equivalent combination of education and professional experience totaling six (6) or more years.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification
- Work is performed in an office environment; may be subject to repetitive motion such as typing, data entry, and vision to monitor extended periods of intense concentration in the review of documents and reports.
- Some work is performed in an outside environment and may be exposed to inclement weather.
- Noise level is usually moderate.
- Work schedule for this position may include working on religious holidays.
- Utilize, process, and navigate the County’s electronic ERP system as necessary and appropriate based on the needs and requirements of this position.
The Planner operates under the overall guidance of the Community Development Director. This role entails overseeing, planning, subdivision review, recreational vehicle (RV) and manufactured home park licensing, as well as other vital planning responsibilities. The Planner offers expert planning direction and advice to the public concerning subdivision plans and various development undertakings presented to the County Commission when necessary. Additionally, the Planner aids different departments by providing requested land use data. The position also encompasses a range of administrative duties as required.
The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.
Perform advanced professional work related to a variety of planning assignments:
- Manage complex development applications; review plats, permits, site plans, and variance requests; provide direction and guidance to the public regarding development projects; understand, interpret, and apply appropriate planning principles and practices; coordinate projects to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Assist with updates and maintenance of the San Juan County Growth Management Plan and land development regulations; write or assist in writing a variety of ordinances and regulations relating to development controls; coordinate staff teams (and public teams when needed) to create and modify major plans, guidelines, and procedures; prepare agenda items for presentation and adoption by the County Commission.
- Respond to inquiries from the public by telephone, through written correspondence, and in person to provide information to property owners, developers, and other interested parties pertaining to land use application plan reviews, and development procedures and regulations.
- Guide private property owners and community members through the review process, providing them with consistent and quality service.
- Conduct research and prepare statistical reports on land use, physical, social & economic issues; research land matters including deeds, surveys and related information.
- Perform field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and/or to verify that development projects comply with approved plans.
- Present reports and other findings to staff, the public, and the County Commission.
- Interpret and apply applicable state, county and local codes, ordinances, and regulations.
- Identify community challenges, issues, and opportunities in particular neighborhoods that could be mitigated through better community planning; facilitates civic, business and governmental groups to explain policies, plans and procedures related to assigned area of responsibility; advise groups of policy actions and recommend specific courses of action; work closely with elected officials, the private sector and numerous organizations to provide community outreach and collection of data related to community needs, goals and services.
- Schedule and conduct public hearings related to subdivisions and other developments; prepare documentation; summarize information from agency reports, maps, field investigations and other documents.
- Maintain records; prepare and update files.
- Using excellent customer service skills, establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees within the department, other departments, entities and the general public --- exercising common sense, diplomacy, flexibility, and the ability to assist the public in resolving issues.
- Assist in budget preparation.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Salary : $62,171 - $76,149