San Miguel County
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Planning Director
Department: Planning
Job Title: Planning Director
Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Hiring Range: Grade 110 ($116,454 to $132,175 annually) with placement potentially higher depending on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Location: Miramonte Building (Telluride, CO)
Employee housing may be an option to rent, depending on availability.
Position Summary
The Planning Director is responsible for the leadership of the Planning Department. The Planning Director develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, and procedures related to community development and in support of the Board of County Commissioners’ objectives. The Planning Director directs and manages planning and administrative work, and is involved in conducting short and long-range planning activities, land use code administration, engineering development review, and implementation of housing programs.
The position will report directly to the County Manager and will be classified at a Grade 110.As a full-time position, the Planning Director is eligible for all County-sponsored insurance and benefit plans as summarized in the SMC Summary of Benefits, subject to applicable waiting periods.
The position will be primarily based out of the County’s Miramonte Building, in Telluride, Colorado.
Supervision Received: Receives supervision from the Deputy County Manager, although the Planning Director must be capable of exercising wide latitude in determining objectives and approaches to critical situations and assignments; also receives general direction from the County Manager.
Supervision Exercised: The Planning Director is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the Planning Department including direct supervision, training, and evaluation of assigned staff. The position is responsible for providing excellent service to the general public and the County’s internal customers, including but not limited to all County employees, Directors, Department Heads, and Elected Officials.
Job Description
The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required. San Miguel County retains the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of the job at any time.
Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities Include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assumes full management responsibility for all Planning Department services and activities including both long range and administrative planning efforts. The Planning Director administers planning policies and procedures as prioritized by the Board of Commissioners and other senior leadership; analyzes County needs and develops planning recommendations and projects to fulfill these needs.
- Represents the Planning Department to other County departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinates Planning Department activities with various departments, agencies, and municipalities.
- Explains and upholds Land Use Codes, Planning Department and County policies and decisions and negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
- Management and development of department budgets and coordination and participation with other budgetary efforts for planning, community development, housing and other associated areas.
- Researches and conducts planning studies on a broad range of topics; conducts surveys; prepares special planning reports for boards and commissions.
- Supervises the preparation, updating, and evaluation of subdivision standards and zoning ordinances; prepares amendments to the Land Use Code.
- Discusses, reviews, and analyzes subdivisions and related land use applications with the general public, developers, regional governments, boards, and commissions.
- Develops long-range planning studies and comprehensive plans; develops programs to implement long-range plans.
- Develops policies and procedures to guide boards, commission staff, and developers.
- Oversees and manages outside consulting contracts including the County Engineer and other contractors.
- Participates in the development and administration of the County's housing programs and services.
- Directs the preparation of reports and materials for presentation to boards and commissions and the Board of Commissioners for regular planning, housing and other activities.
- Analyzes and monitors Federal, State, and regional plans, rules and laws related to land use within the County.
- Oversees wetlands and flood plain permitting and administration.
- Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
- Performs other related duties as required and assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of local government planning with specific knowledge of County planning.
- Knowledge of the economic, geographic, and demographic factors involved in community development.
- Knowledge of County, Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations relating to planning, zoning, subdivision of land, and environmental protection.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
- Ability to be a leader, to plan, to organize, and to direct the work of staff, colleagues, contractors and other personnel.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with employees, colleagues, public officials, other agencies, developers, and the public.
- Possesses strong reasoning and analytical skills; able to make rational decisions through sound logical and deductive reasoning processes.
- Is ethical, honest, truthful, positive, and trustworthy and possesses a high degree of personal integrity; adheres to the principles and rules of practice and behavior found in the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
- Possesses an extremely high level of attention to detail; is extremely organized and possesses the ability to manage multiple tasks and reprioritize workflow and assignments as work situations and needs change; can deliver effective results in a fast-paced environment while adhering to scheduled deadlines.
- Has excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate and express complex ideas clearly, concisely, and effectively, verbally, in writing, and graphically, and in a variety of formats, including live and virtual presentations.
- Ability to utilize analytical skills; prepare comprehensive reports, and apply results.
- Knowledge of the principles of economics, statistics, and real estate.
- Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well-defined planning problems; knowledge of research methodology and statistics.
- Knowledge of nomenclature, symbols, techniques, and mathematics used in the map and topographical drafting.
- Possesses strong office technology and computer skills; knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat; Gmail, Google Workspace; knowledge of GIS; ability to learn and effectively use various software programs, platforms, and applications related to the tasks, duties, and responsibilities required of the position.
- The ability to speak one or more foreign languages is helpful, particularly Spanish, but not required.
Education and Experience
- A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in planning, landscape architecture, or a closely related field required, Master’s Degree preferred.
- Eight (8) years of leadership experience with employee oversight and progressive responsibilities in public planning.
- An equivalent combination of education and work experience that produces the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties/responsibilities of the position.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform essential duties may be considered.
Licenses and Certifications
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire)
- Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record
Special Requirements
- As part of your duties as a county employee, you may be called upon to perform duties outside your day-to-day activities to support county emergency operations. All county employees are required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) training within the first 6 months of employment.
- Must be able to satisfactorily pass a comprehensive, pre-employment criminal background and motor vehicle check.
Physical Requirements and Working Environment
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 essential functions.
The work includes sedentary work that requires exerting up to ten (10) pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amounts of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. The work also includes occasional fieldwork hiking in varied terrain at high altitudes. The work requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, the ability to express ideas utilizing the written and spoken word, and have close visual acuity.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
This job operates primarily in an office environment and also requires travel throughout San Miguel County. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The position may periodically have unpredicted requirements or demands and require attending training and meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours. The job may periodically require the ability to work in stressful situations. The work also includes occasional fieldwork, which may include hiking in varied terrain at high altitudes for field inspections.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately at https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/jobs.aspx. All applications must be submitted online. Select the Apply Online link, (creating an account is recommended) answer all application questions in steps 1-7. Candidates are required to attach a resume and cover letter (in step one). Please ensure all requested items are submitted and completed for consideration. Upon receiving your completed application, you will receive an email from noreply@civicplus confirming your application has been received.
The proposed schedule for this position solicitation is as follows:
Schedule Dates
Application Deadline August 20, 2026
Preliminary Interviews September 3-4, 2026
Finalist Interviews September 10-11, 2026
All dates are subject to change at the discretion of the County
For more information on this position, contact:
San Miguel County Human Resources
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 970-369-5471
San Miguel County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)
Pay: $116,454.00 - $132,175.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
