Data is as of 6/15/2025.
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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Planner Principal
FLSA: Standard/Exempt EEO Category: (20) Professionals
Class Code: 16935 Salary Grade: VB0
Approved: Last Revised: January 22, 2025

Purpose:
 

This position manages the planning activities for the City in regional, urban, and transportation planning areas.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
  Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
  1. Oversees coordination of division and section activities with other division, sections, and departments. Develops and evaluates plans, criteria, etc. for variety of projects, programs activities, etc.
  2. Reviews statistical reports and analyzed market and economic conditions.
  3. Develops short- and long-range plans. 
  4. Serves as member of various committees, task forces, etc.
  5. Speaks as City representative before boards, commissions, public groups, etc.
  6. Answers the most complex citizen questions and provides assistance.
  7. Provides technical advice and assistance to citizens, contractors, departments, management, etc.
  8. Develops policies and procedures. Develops and revises operating procedures.
  9. Assists in developing division and section budget. Recommends grant application approval.
  10. Manages division and section activities.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling and recommendation for dismissal.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
  • Knowledge of the principles of community and urban planning.
  • Knowledge of Federal and State laws relating to planning and urban development.
  • Knowledge of City practice, policy and procedures. .
  • Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
  • Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
  • Skill in oral and written communication.
  • Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  • Skill in using computers and related software.
  • Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
  • Skill in planning and organizing.
  • Ability to make formal presentations of program and/or project recommendations.
  • Ability to explain and enforce City policies.
  • Ability to exercise balanced judgment in evaluation situations and making decisions.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  • Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
Minimum Qualifications:
 
  • Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in in Planning, Geography, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a planning related field, plus six (6) years of experience in planning related work, two (2) years of which included lead or supervisory responsibilities.
  • Twelve (12) semester hours of relevant graduate college course work may substitute for six months of required experience with a maximum substitution of two (2) years.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
  None.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.