The Community Development Office (CDO) in the Department of Local Affairs’ Division of Local Government is building a brand new team of passionate planners, administrators, and analysts to implement new laws passed in the 2024 legislative session, including SB24-174 Sustainable Affordable Housing, HB24-1313 Transit Oriented Communities, HB24-1152 Accessory Dwelling Units, HB24-1304 Minimum Parking Requirements. CDO will be hiring 14 new staff members to serve as a highly collaborative group within the Planning team to implement the land use and housing laws described on our 2024 legislative summary page and our interactive website.      Closing date: 10.18.24 at 4pm.

The new staff will develop, launch, and implement these new programs mentioned above, so CDO is looking for a diverse team of professionals who are passionate about these issues and bring varied experiences to help us get it right. CDO will create two new smaller teams, including:

(1) a Land Use Technical Assistance Unit dedicated to providing information, data, analysis, and assistance to help local governments successfully comply with the new laws, and

(2) a Planning Grants Unit to develop and administer three new grant programs (ADUs, housing planning, and transit oriented community infrastructure). Both teams will work closely together.

Additionally, we’ll be hiring a Land Use Policy Advisor, a Planning Coordinator/Administrator, and a "many hats" Land Use Planner with a communications focus. Please see each position announcement for more details and apply for each position in which you are interested. Hiring begins in early October and will continue for several months, starting with three planning positions in the Technical Assistance Unit. Learn more about the Community Development Office by visiting our main website.

Land Use Planning Technical Assistance Unit

DOLA has posted the three planner positions from the Land Use Technical Assistance Unit together. Positions close no later than Oct 18. You must apply for each position in which you want to be considered. All three positions will possess significant local government technical land use planning experience, in particular, in local government land use regulations and programming around housing needs assessments, accessory dwelling units, and transit oriented development. These positions will work with local governments to assist them with their work to comply with the new planning laws and will review submittals for compliance.

This new work unit exists in the Community Development Office (CDO) section of the Division of Local Government.  This work unit is responsible for providing guidance, resources and direct technical assistance to local and regional governments to comply with land use requirements in state statute. Through housing needs assessments and action plans, accessory dwelling unit requirements, parking requirements, transit oriented community planning requirements, etc., the result is more affordable housing and strategic growth in Colorado communities.

Position

The Land Use Technical Assistance Lead Planner will have at least 7 years of relevant local government land use experience and significant technical knowledge of land use best practices and innovations informed by hard-won local government implementation experience. This position will review local government submittals, provide feedback, and contribute to DOLA’s implementation work. This position will not be a supervisor but will serve as a work lead for 2 teammates.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience Only:

Seven (7) years of experience working with local government land use regulations and experience with programming around housing needs assessments, accessory dwelling units, and/or transit oriented development.

OR

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Urban & Regional Planning, Geography, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy or a related field as determined by the department.

AND

Three (3) years of professional experience as described above.

OR

Master's degree from an accredited institution in Urban & Regional Planning, Geography, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy or a related field as determined by the department. 

AND

Two (2) years of professional experience as described above. 

OR

Doctorate degree from an accredited institution in Urban & Regional Planning, Geography, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy or a related field as determined by the department. 

AND

One (1) year of professional experience as described above.  

Applicants using education to meet part of the minimum qualifications must upload transcripts at the time of application. 

Under the Job Application Fairness Act (SB 23-058), applicants may redact information from certifications and transcripts that identify their age, date of birth or dates of attendance from an educational institution. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant years state service, as a permanent State of Colorado employee, working with local governments 

• Experience providing guidance and technical assistance in land use, housing, or related matters to Colorado rural and urban local governments

• Experience developing and/or implementing housing needs assessments, housing action plans, accessory dwelling unit programs, parking reduction programs, or local government comprehensive plans

Salary Note: Although the entire salary range is listed on this job announcement, appointments are typically made between the salary minimum of $5,845 and midpoint of $7,599.