Associate Planner

About the Role

The City of Farmington is looking for a detail-focused and driven Associate Planner to join the Community Development Department. This full-time, exempt position operates from the West Annex Building located at 805 Municipal Drive and reports to the Principal Planner. The role involves executing professional planning tasks aligned with the city's land use policies, zoning codes, and long-range community planning goals, while fostering public engagement. A key responsibility includes overseeing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to ensure compliance with federal standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve the public at the front counter by reviewing permits and responding to planning questions.
• Collect and analyze data for reports, studies, and planning recommendations.
• Create planning documents including reports, GIS maps, visual presentations, and related exhibits.
• Assist with implementing the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and other strategic planning efforts.
• Engage in current planning activities such as development reviews and zoning code revisions.
• Maintain planning records, GIS databases, and archives per city standards.
• Offer expert planning counsel to city officials, staff, and residents.
• Communicate findings in meetings with teams, boards, commissions, and City Council.
• Review land use proposals ensuring alignment with city codes and policies.
• Contribute to updates on zoning, subdivision, and land use regulations.
• Support the Development Review Committee with relevant planning input.
• Organize public engagement efforts including meetings, surveys, and workshops.
• Provide administrative and planning support to the Planning & Zoning Commission and other boards.
• Conduct field inspections using a city vehicle as needed.
• Administer the CDBG program by managing the annual Action and Consolidated Plans with stakeholders, monitoring compliance with HUD regulations, preparing HUD-required reports like the CAPER, facilitating community outreach, managing financial tracking in HUD's IDIS system, coordinating environmental and Davis-Bacon compliance, maintaining documentation, liaising with HUD officials, and supporting fair housing and community development projects.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Public Administration, or closely related field preferred.
• Master’s degree or progress toward AICP certification is advantageous.
• 1 to 3 years of practical planning experience, ideally within municipal or regional environments.
• Experience managing grants, particularly CDBG, highly valued.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean record is mandatory.
• Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background screening complying with city policies.
• Knowledge of urban and regional planning principles; understanding of zoning, land use, and environmental planning approaches.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; skills in GIS and Adobe Creative Suite are preferred.
• Strong communication, analytical, organizational, and project management capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment.
• Comfortable conducting public presentations and interacting with diverse groups.
• Excellent attention to detail and capability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Dedication to ethical practices, public service, and fostering inclusive community growth.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Primarily office work with occasional field visits.
• May require attendance at some evening or weekend meetings.
• Job involves light lifting up to 10 pounds, extensive computer use, and sustained visual concentration.
• Exposure to outdoor conditions and moderate noise levels during site inspections may occur.

Additional Information

This position operates Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The salary range is $53,347 to $82,997 annually. The City of Farmington is committed to equal opportunity employment for all qualified individuals regardless of gender, disability status, or veteran status. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.