Community Development Planning Opportunities (Associate Planner, Senior Planner, Principal Planner)
HIRING RANGE:
Associate Planner: $6,156 - $6,929 Monthly
Senior Planner: $6,798 - $7,652 Monthly
Principal Planner: $7,146 - $8,042 Monthly
To watch our Recruitment Video and hear from our team click here.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we anticipate conducting our first round of virtual interviews during the week of July 6th.
About the Positions:
The City of Grand Junction is seeking qualified candidates for planning opportunities within our Community Development Department. We are hiring for one or more positions at the Associate Planner, Senior Planner, and/or Principal Planner level, with placement based on qualifications, experience, and organizational needs.
Join a collaborative planning team that plays a key role in shaping the future of Colorado's largest city on the Western Slope. From development review and long-range planning to policy development and implementation, our planners work on projects that have a visible impact on the community. You'll have the opportunity to contribute meaningful ideas, take ownership of projects, and work alongside talented professionals who are passionate about thoughtful community development.
About Our Culture:
At the City of Grand Junction, we lead the way with continuous improvement, collaborative partnerships, and exemplary service. Our core values are demonstrated by our willingness to challenge the status quo, ability to work together using all areas of expertise to achieve a common goal, and commitment to fulfilling the needs of our community through thoughtful interactions.
What You'll Do:
- Help residents, developers, consultants, and City staff navigate planning, zoning, development, and land use processes while providing exceptional customer service.
- Review development proposals, conduct research and analysis, and prepare recommendations that support thoughtful community growth and compliance with City regulations.
- Prepare and present reports, ordinances, and recommendations to boards, commissions, City Council, and other stakeholders.
- Collaborate on planning projects, policy initiatives, and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and other adopted City plans, with opportunities to lead complex projects based on experience and position level.
To view the full Associate Planner job description, click here.
To view the full Senior Planner job description, click here.
To view the full Principal Planner job description, click here.
What We're Looking For:
Associate Planner
- One year of responsible professional urban planning and zoning experience.
Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning or related field.
Senior Planner
- Three years of increasingly responsible urban planning and development experience.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning or related field.
Principal Planner
- Five years of increasingly responsible urban planning and development experience.
- Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning or related field.
Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
Notice to Applicants:
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, we kindly request that you do not include the dates of your education to include years of attendance or graduation on your application, resume or attachments.
City Employee Health Clinic:
The City is committed to supporting the health and well-being of employees, and their families. Our near-site Sage Health & Wellness Center offers free or low-cost healthcare services for employees and their dependents enrolled in a City health plan. Services include preventative care, health assessments and coaching, treatment for common illnesses, lab services, physical therapy, a medical massage therapist, and behavioral health counseling. The clinic also offers wellness programs, challenges, and classes that empower employees and their families to stay healthy and thrive.
Explore the Area:
Grand Junction, Colorado is the gateway to the mountains and canyonlands of western Colorado and eastern Utah. Centrally located between Denver, CO (250 miles east) and Salt Lake City, UT (270 miles west), Grand Junction is surrounded by 1.2 million acres of public land. Residents enjoy world-class whitewater rafting on the Colorado and Green Rivers, golfing, fishing, skiing and snowboarding, and exploring mountain bike and hiking trails through the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Mesa National Forest. Grand Junction has a robust downtown and hosts multiple art, music, food, and market events annually. With a population of over 150,000 in Mesa County (65,000 within the City limits) we have many of the big town amenities without the big town stresses such as traffic and trail congestion. With an average of 245 days of sunshine, Grand Junction is the perfect place to work and play.
Learn more about our area on Visit Grand Junction's website and Instagram!
At the City of Grand Junction, we proudly operate as an Equal Opportunity Employer, purposely building an inclusive workforce representative of various cultures, perspectives, and experiences. We believe in respect for all and do not discriminate based on hair, race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
If you have any questions or need assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact our Human Resources office at 970.244.1512.
About Us
What We Offer:
We know that a healthy and happy workforce is a thriving workforce, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports quality work-life harmony, including 32 days of paid annual leave to be used for personal and/or sick days, 11 paid holidays, health insurance options, employer-matched retirement, a City employee health clinic, a City employee child care center, wellness program, and an Employee Assistance Program. Of equal importance, we offer an opportunity to serve the community you love and live in. Our employees find their work rewarding and fulfilling, knowing that their day job makes a positive impact.
Skills Required
- Associate Planner: One year of professional urban planning and zoning experience
- Associate Planner: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with major coursework in planning or related field
- Senior Planner: Three years of increasingly responsible urban planning and development experience
- Senior Planner: Bachelor's degree with major coursework in planning or related field
- Principal Planner: Five years of increasingly responsible urban planning and development experience
- Principal Planner: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with major coursework in planning or related field
What We Do
Visit Grand Junction (Visit GJ), the destination marketing organization, is a Department of the City of Grand Junction. Visit GJ is dedicated to marketing the Grand Junction area, outside of Mesa County, to attract year-round tourism, thereby providing for a sustainable and consistent economy and enhanced quality of life for residents. The team consists of dynamic individuals who are culture-focused, innovative, driven, and dedicated to supporting the tourism industry while reaching departmental goals that serve the community and guests.
Why Work With Us
The City focuses on continuous improvement, collaborative partnerships, and exemplary service. The Core Values are demonstrated by a willingness to challenge the status quo, ability to work together using all areas of expertise to achieve a common goal, and commitment to fulfilling the needs of the community through thoughtful interactions.

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