Are you passionate about shaping vibrant suburban communities? The City of Lenexa is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Planner II or Planner III to join our Community Development team.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative projects, guide long-range planning efforts, and collaborate with stakeholders to create a thriving future for our growing municipality. With minimal supervision, you’ll apply your expertise in urban planning to manage complex development reviews, drive policy updates, and mentor junior staff members. Join a city that values innovation, consistently is approached with exciting new projects, and will take your career in city planning to the next level.

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities

• Responds to inquiries using various means of communication from the public and other departments regarding zoning, ordinances and codes related to the regulation of development in the City and long-range planning including explaining the rationale and reasoning behind local land use regulations, state planning law and policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Provides assistance to applicants through the development review process, including organizing and leading meetings among staff and applicants.
• Reviews applications and makes recommendations to the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals to ensure compliance with the adopted rules and regulations of the Unified Development Code, including the preparation and presentation of staff reports at evening meetings.
• Reviews regulatory permits and licenses such as applications for of home occupations, building permits, sign permits, certificates of occupancy, fence permits and other related permits and licenses.
• Conducts research and drafts amendments to the Unified Development Code for consideration by the Planning Commission and the Governing Body.
• Works with Building Division to ensure planning-related conditions are addressed, including the review of occupancy permits, and shell and tenant finish building permits. This may also include obtaining and managing letters of credit or other sureties.
• Works with the Community Standards Division to ensure compliance with applicable requirements of the Unified Development Code including writing notices of violation and, if necessary, following up with a citation to Municipal Court.
• Prepares and presents staff reports and technical memorandums for the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals involving both fact-finding and analysis to provide alternatives for policymakers to consider.
• Performs research and analysis to develop recommendations for the updating of complex studies and reports in connection with the current and long-range physical, social and economic development of the City, including the Comprehensive Plan.
• Identifies gaps in information, such as on the City’s website or regulations and policies and develops resolutions for improvement.

Qualifications & Compensation

Planner II: $60,508 - $70,145, dependent upon the following qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, geography or a related field.
2. At least four years of experience in the planning profession.
3. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
4. Must complete required NIMS IS-100 and IS-700 training within three months of employment.

Planner III: $71,705 - $83,126, dependent upon the following qualifications:

1. EITHER a Master's and certificate in urban planning, engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, geography, public administration or related field, plus six years of experience
2. OR a Bachelor's and certificate in urban planning, engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration or a related field, plus eight years of experience.
3. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
4. Must complete required NIMS IS-100 and IS-700 training within three months of employment.

Environment and Physical Factors

Work is performed in person in a standard office environment; however, the ability to walk through active construction sites is required. This position requires the ability to sit for prolonged periods; visual acuity and the ability to distinguish color.

Apply Process

This posting will remain open until Friday, December 20, 2024. To apply, please complete an online application and include a resume. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Benefits Package

The City offers a competitive benefits package including the following:

• Free or low cost on-site medical clinic
• Six weeks paid parental leave
• Work with the best equipment, tools and new vehicles
• Automatic 6% enrollment in KPERS pension plan
• 4% employer retirement contribution with optional 2% match
• Tuition reimbursement up to $4,500 per year
• Additional personal leave during first year of employment for new employees
• Minimum 2 weeks' vacation for first year
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid sick leave and personal leave
• Free individual membership to the Lenexa Rec Center

City of Lenexa strives to be an inclusive place to work. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of pre-employment physical, drug screen and background check. Candidates with prior criminal convictions are encouraged to submit applications for positions where they meet the minimum and/or desired qualifications and will not automatically be excluded from the recruitment process.