JOB LOCATION
City of Aurora, Colorado
It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
Why Work for Aurora?
- Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
- Diverse community
- Competitive total compensation package
- Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
- Light rail station minutes away
- On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
- Access to innovation workspaces
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Salary to be commensurate with experience
The hiring range for this position is $77,695 - $97,119/annually
The deadline to submit applications is July 5, 2025. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.
OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT
Senior Urban Design Planners are subject matter experts who not only support department projects but represent the city on regional, state and federal teams. Senior Planners are expected to work independently while keeping their supervisors, managers and the director updated on potentially contentious and/or changing conditions.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Urban Design
The position generally manages planning and urban design related projects within the Planning and Business Development Department. This is a senior-level professional planning and urban design position, which performs a variety of design related work for both the development review and long-range planning divisions. This includes the review of development proposals from an urban design and landscape perspective, and development of design guidelines, long-range planning documents, comprehensive plans, etc. and other supportive graphics. The position is a key contributor to the department regarding urban design concepts by performing specialized, professional planning work for development the vision for the city’s physical growth, land use, urban design, infrastructure development, and promotes the best use of the city's land and resources by serving as a program leader.
Essential Duties:
Oversees the city’s urban design efforts through development and implementation of the city’s strategic growth, land use planning, resiliency, economic development, housing, transportation, and supportive codes as defined by the City’s implementation strategy, the Unified Development Ordinance and the Aurora Places Comprehensive Plan. Responsibilities may include directing and coordinating activities such as:
- Taking ownership of urban design elements on projects in the support of staff, city officials, boards, commissions, the public, and other stakeholders.
- Development Review team staff support, regarding development review projects, landscape review, design policies, and graphic software operating procedures for overall effectiveness and development of new programmatic approaches.
- Preparing a variety of documents and visualizations for decision-making or marketing purposes.
- Gathering, interpreting, and preparing data for studies, reports and recommendations.
- Coordinating department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
- Facilitating public engagement in planning process and policy considerations.
- Monitoring adopted plans to promote and facilitate ongoing implementation and continued relevance.
- Participating in planning activities of neighboring jurisdictions; coordinating work with other affected agencies; assisting in the development of regional plans, as assigned.
- Making presentations to city management, City Council, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.
- Interdepartmental coordination and support on varying planning efforts.
- Assisting supervisor, manager and director with departmental administration including establishment of work program, allocation of resources and setting of priorities.
- Monitoring adopted plans, regulations and policies for continued effectiveness and relevance.
- Developing recommendations to Planning Manager and Director when the need for code revisions are identified.
- Serving as a member of regional committees and task forces composed of City, County, Regional or State groups and as a member of internal staff and other interdepartmental committees as assigned.
- Preparing graphics, demographics and maps for a variety of reports, plans, grant applications, publications or meetings.
- Attending professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in urban planning.
- Acting as the design program subject matter expert for the department and the city.
- Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture, land-use planning, urban planning/design or a closely related field.
Experience:
- 4 years professional design experience in public sector planning or private planning consulting involving public process; or
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a related field
- AIA, ASLA, RLA or AICP certification
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of planning laws, including their formation, process of adoption, application, and enforcement.
- Knowledge and experience in long-term planning, public input and visioning processes, comprehensive plan formation and adoption, and ongoing implementation and monitoring of adopted plans.
- Knowledge of personal computers and program-specific applications.
- Knowledge of the principles of land use and real estate development including entitlements, phasing, design, construction, environmental issues, redevelopment and historic preservation.
- Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and practices used in planning, design, construction, and maintenance of buildings, or other structures considering aesthetic and functional concerns.
Skills:
- Public engagement skills including one-on-one, small groups and workshop-style meetings.
- Skilled at developing project budgets, scope and schedules.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite including In-Design, AutoCAD, SketchUp and GIS
Abilities:
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with architects, contractors, developers, owners, supervisors, employees, regulatory and policy making bodies and the general public.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Essential Personnel:
- When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.
Physical Demands:
- Sedentary work lifting 10 pounds with or without assistance.
- Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.
- Vision for data analysis and preparation
- Dexterity to operate computer system and other related equipment
- Endurance sufficient to sit or stand and work at a computer for long periods of time.
- Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens
Work Environment:
- Works primarily in a clean, comfortable environment
Equipment Used:
- Frequently uses standard office equipment including computer, calculator, multi-line telephones, copy/fax machines and postal equipment.
- This position may require the incumbent to regularly use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.
For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.
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