Overview

Some jobs ask you to color inside the lines. This one asks you to draw the lines—thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with a deep respect for a mountain community that knows who it is and where it’s going.

In Steamboat Springs, planning isn’t an abstract exercise. It’s morning light over the Yampa, neighbors who wave at City staff, kids biking to school, and working families who deserve attainable places to live. It’s the kind of high‑impact work where your policy decisions show up in real life—on trails, in neighborhoods, at the farmers market, and around the council dais—because here, the city and the community are one and the same.

We’re hiring a Housing & Long‑Range Planning Manager to guide the next chapter of growth with care: aligning land use and housing, modernizing code, building partnerships, stewarding funds, and making smart investments that keep Steamboat livable, welcoming, and uniquely “The Boat.” You’ll lead complex initiatives across housing, transportation, utilities, and design; mentor talented planners; and serve as a trusted voice to leadership and the public. It’s meaningful work, and it matters—today and decades from now.

What makes this different from other municipalities? Stability and a community‑oriented government, yes. But also, a culture that backs its values: an engaged workforce, genuine collaboration, and a people‑first promise to support the mental, physical, and financial well‑being of our team. Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t slogans here—they’re how we build a city that welcomes everyone who calls the Yampa Valley home. We prize curiosity, candor, and the courage to try new approaches (and we love a good map).

You won’t be starting from scratch. Our previous incumbent is retiring after five years—leaving strong relationships, solid systems, and a respected legacy. You’ll inherit momentum and the room to shape what’s next.

If your happy place is where data meets dialogue—where community engagement, policy clarity, and implementation discipline come together—you’ll feel right at home. You’ve led public‑sector planning initiatives, navigated the full development process, and you communicate with architects, developers, council, and residents in ways that build trust. (AICP and a master’s are a plus; seven or more years of experience set you up to hit the ground running.)

And the lifestyle? Steamboat is a four‑season playground with a vibrant arts scene and a school district families rave about. Around here, “quality of life” isn’t a bullet point—it’s baked in.… and yes, meetings do seem shorter after a powder morning.

If you’re ready to do your best work for a place that feels like home—where uniqueness fuels innovation and your impact is visible—let’s talk. Apply Here: https://steamboatsprings.wd12.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/details/Housing---Long-Range-Planning-Manager_

When joining the City of Steamboat Springs, you can expect to work for an organization with:

• A team that strives to make this the best place you’ve ever worked!
• A focus on supporting our employees’ mental, physical, and financial well-being
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that creates a welcoming city
• A highly engaged workforce proudly serving our community with excellence and distinction
• A passion for strategically providing outstanding municipal services
• A promise to each other to support the work we all do for the city, community & Yampa Valley

Uniqueness Fuels Our Innovative Spirit
Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experiences drives us forward every day. It's the collective sum of our experiences that makes Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley a powerful, insightful, and welcoming community.

The City of Steamboat Springs is hiring a Housing & Long-Range Planning Manager to join our team!

Pay Range: $97,028 - $145,542

GENERAL PURPOSE

The purpose of this position is to lead, manage and perform expert level professional planning work, provide competent advice to city policy makers, leadership with the general public, and manage complex projects.

Performs a variety of advanced and complex administrative, technical and professional work in the current and long-range planning programs related to the development and implementation of land use policies, urban design, zoning, development standards, development review and permitting processes. This position accommodates experienced planning professionals with extensive background in managing planning, regulatory and/or development projects in the public sector.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Director of Planning and Community Development to manage department priorities, work plans, outreach strategies and policy proposals.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises direct supervision over Housing Innovation Specialist(s) and Long Range Planner(s). Manages the Housing & Long Range Planning function of the Department. Exercises considerable professional judgement in planning, organizing and directing various projects. May serve as department administrator when the Director is absent.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Long Range Planning

Manages the Housing and Long-Range Planning function of the Department. Directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of complex plans, policies, programs, and codes related to growth management, land use, economic development, utilities, housing, transportation, facilities, or other topics to meet the City's needs and any inter-governmental agreements or requirements. Leads partnerships and coordinated investments in the development of affordable and attainable housing, including management of funds dedicated to increasing and preserving affordable housing or otherwise meeting housing needs in the community. Responsibilities may include directing and coordinating activities such as:

• Gathering, interpreting, and preparing data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinating department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
• Designing and facilitating public communication, involvement and engagement processes.
• Proposing recommendations to initiate regulatory and policy changes to support affordable and workforce housing project and programs.
• Leading and supporting the evaluation of city investments to support affordable and workforce housing projects and programs.
• Development and implementation of accountability, monitoring, and transparency tools to direct and evaluate city investments to address existing and emerging housing needs.
• Assist other departments (e.g., Finance, Legal, HR & Risk, etc.) with housing fund management, including financial management, compliance, investment selection, policy and program development, reporting, employee housing program, etc.
• Monitoring adopted plans to promote and facilitate ongoing implementation and continued relevance.
• Monitoring planning and housing activities of neighboring jurisdictions and community partners; coordinating work with other affected agencies; assisting in the development of regional plans, as assigned.
• Providing technical and professional advice; making presentations to City management, City Council, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.
• Preparing a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes.
• Conducting technical research studies and preparing statistical reports and recommendations for drafting or revising local legislation and long-range comprehensive plans, projecting trends, monitoring socio-economic data, etc.
• Preparing planning reports and supporting data, including recommendations or various long range planning proposals.
• Preparing and presenting policy recommendations for consideration by City management and elected officials.
• Drafting Community Development Code amendments, including reorganization, process revisions, zoning, development and design standards, implementing community objectives and facilitating customer service.
• Making presentations to the public, elected and appointed bodies as well as City staff and management.
• Coordinating and managing long range planning consultant contracts, as assigned.

Supporting Responsibilities

• Serves as an ambassador of the City of Steamboat Springs and upholds City values of Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Well-Being, Respect and Compassion, while espousing safety at all times.
• Assisting Director with departmental administration including establishment of work program, allocation of resources and setting of priorities. Review staff work, existing policies and operating procedures for overall effectiveness and developing new programmatic approaches.
• Responding to public inquiries about local planning and zoning regulations and ordinances; providing excellent customer service.
• Serving when assigned as a member work groups, steering committees or technical advisory teams.
• Preparing graphics and maps for a variety of reports, plans, grant applications, publications or meetings.
• Providing staff support to boards and commissions as needed and assigned.
• Collecting, maintaining and analyzing data for planning purposes. Directing city staff in the enforcement of local ordinances and in interpreting city codes and master plans.
• Participating in designs for parks, streetscapes, landscapes and other municipal projects.
• Serving as a member of various staff committees as assigned.
• Attending professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of municipal planning.
• Assisting in any activities necessary to facilitate the timely completion of department responsibilities.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in land-use planning, urban planning, or a closely related field. (Masters Degree preferred): and Seven (7) years professional experience in public sector planning or private planning consulting involving public process; or Any equivalent combination of education and experience. AICP required.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Advanced ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with architects, contractors, developers, owners, supervisors, employees, regulatory and policy making bodies and the general public; Ability to establish effective working relationships is critical. Thorough knowledge of zoning laws and comprehensive plans including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement; Extensive knowledge of planning programs and processes; Working knowledge of Personal Computers and GIS applications; Working knowledge of the principles of land use and real estate development including entitlements, phasing, design, construction, environmental issues, redevelopment and historic preservation. Skill in the operation of the listed tools and equipment. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, the Adobe Creative Suite and Sketch-Up desirable. Basic knowledge of principles of surveying, building construction, hydrology and hydraulics.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must have a Valid State Driver's License, or ability to obtain one.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer, including word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and internet; motor vehicle; calculator; phone; copy and fax machine; various graphic design tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Apply Here: https://steamboatsprings.wd12.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/details/Housing---Long-Range-Planning-Manager_

The City of Steamboat Springs is an equal opportunity employer.

Pay: $97,028.00 - $145,542.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance
• Wellness program

Work Location: In person