Bernalillo County is 1,160 square miles and is New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 676,000 residents. Bernalillo County government provides a wide range of public services to residents who live in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos and Tijeras with approximately 106,000 residents living in unincorporated areas of the county. Bernalillo County employs approximately 2,500 people and has an annual operating budget, capital investments and other funds of more than $1 billion. Elected officials include five county commissioners, assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff and treasurer.

Bernalillo County

Department of Human Resources

Job Descriptions

What does the red Zia symbol mean? The Zia sun symbol represent the four cardinal directions, the four seasons of the year, the four period of each day (morning, noon, evening, and night), and the four seasons of life (childhood, youth, middle age, and old age). The centre of the sun symbol stands for life itself. The yellow field with red symbol pays recognition to the Aragon Realm of the conquistadors and their homeland in Spain.
JCP319: Planner Senior

Planner Senior

Job Code
Grade
Bargaining Unit
JCP319
7
None
       
       
Salary
As Hourly
As Annual
61,339.00 - 77,043.00 - 96,866.00 USD Annual
$29.49 - $37.04 - $46.57
$61,339.00 - $77,043.00 - $96,866.00

POSITION SUMMARY

Planner Senior performs duties related to the implementation and administration of County Land Use Programs. This includes executing various planning tasks such as short- and long-range planning, and implementing County-adopted plans, ordinances, and programs. The role involves managing complex land use and zoning projects that are large in scale and impact. Key areas of focus include coordinating advanced planning and land use functions; assisting with the Capital Improvements Program and Six-Year Plan; and coordinating the County’s Impact Fee Program and Subdivision functions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES



PLANNING

  • Prepare planning cases for presentation to the County Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners.
  • Compile and analyze data on economic, social, and physical factors affecting land use, and prepare or request graphic and narrative reports on that data.
  • Coordinate the implementation of all comprehensive and area plans adopted by the Board of County Commissioners.
  • Revise comprehensive and area plans as needed, including coordinating materials, presentations, and adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.
  • Serve as a department liaison or coordinator on planning and land development initiatives and other planning projects.
  • Prepare reports, ordinances, resolutions, agenda items, and related documents for land use cases to present to the County Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners.
  • Perform project management functions, including policy analysis and the development of recommendations.
  • Coordinate interdepartmental information related to land use cases, special projects, and legislative amendments.
  • Collect and analyze specialized data for periodic reports and maintain information related to community needs, goals, and services.
  • Coordinate staff and public teams to create and revise major plans, guidelines, and procedures.
  • Meet with civic, business, and government groups to explain policies, plans, and procedures related to assigned responsibilities; advise groups on policy actions and recommend specific courses of action.
  • Provide customer service support to the public and developers, and assist in resolving complex land use issues.
  • Review building permit requests for planning and zoning compliance within Special Use Permits and Sector Development Plans.
  • Initiate and organize planning processes for land use and interdepartmental plans, including neighborhood and sector development plans, in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and County Zoning Code.
  • Research and compile background information and gather public input for neighborhood and sector plans; draft plan documents for public and staff review and feedback; draft zoning and associated ordinances to be included in plan documents.
  • Assist the County Zoning Administrator with amendments to the County Zoning Code related to land use.
  • Deliver presentations on planning projects to the public or County Commission, as needed.
  • Assist with other projects as assigned.
  • Handle sensitive and/or confidential records, plans, documents, or decisions, maintaining confidentiality as required.

IMPACT FEE AND SUBDIVISIONS

  • Administer the Bernalillo County Impact Fee Program and establish a comprehensive system to ensure implementation of the County Impact Fee Ordinance. Responsibilities include:
  • Overseeing impact fee assessments and collections
  • Making determinations on independent fee studies permitted under the ordinance
  • Determining eligibility for impact fee credits
  • Maintaining accurate records of assessments, collections, expenditures, waivers, credits, and refunds
  • Enforcing provisions of the Impact Fee Ordinance
  • Serving as staff to the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee (CIAC)
  • Prepare periodic reports and related documentation on the Impact Fee Program, including:
  • Monthly reports for County management and the CIAC on assessments, revenues, CIP expenditures, credits, and waivers
  • Evaluations of the Impact Fees Capital Improvements Plan (IFCIP) implementation
  • Annual progress reports on the IFCIP for the CIAC
  • Reports identifying and evaluating inequities in the IFCIP or impact fee implementation
  • Reviews of land use assumptions, IFCIP updates, and impact fee adjustments
  • Coordinate with County departments and other agencies as needed to implement and administer the Impact Fee Program and other adopted comprehensive and area plans.
  • Participate in land use and planning initiatives, program development, and capital facility financing efforts.
  • Prepare planning cases and revisions for presentation to the County Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners.
  • Coordinate County Development Review Authority functions related to subdivisions and actions outlined in the County Subdivision Ordinance, including application review and processing, staff and public coordination, and oversight of public meetings and implementation processes.
  • Handle sensitive and/or confidential records, documents, plans, or decisions while ensuring the confidentiality of all sensitive information.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAMS (CIP)

  • Manage the biennial preparation of the Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan, including conducting technical evaluations of specific project types and leading all related public outreach activities such as community meetings, social media, and online postings.
  • Support the Chief of Staff and CIP Program Coordinator in implementing CIP Ordinance 2-271 by managing the General Obligation (GO) Bond Program component.
  • Monitor the annual update of the CIP database and assist the CIP Program Coordinator with data entry, quality control, and reporting as needed.
  • Serve as a departmental representative in the development and update of the Impact Fee Capital Improvements Plan, conducted every five years.
  • Research and integrate Capital Improvement mechanisms into the County Comprehensive Plan and applicable Sector Plans.
  • Develop strategies to incorporate planning priorities and objectives from adopted plans into Capital Improvement efforts.
  • Handle sensitive and/or confidential records, plans, documents, and decisions, maintaining strict confidentiality in accordance with County policy.

*The above information is intended to outline the general nature and scope of the duties required for this position. It is not an exhaustive list and may vary depending on specific job assignments and responsibilities. 
 


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in planning, Public Administration, Architecture, or related field.
  • Five (5) years of work experience in zoning ordinances, land use regulations, and project management experience.

*Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience may be considered for the above requirements.


IMPACT FEE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT

  • Must be a “qualified professional” as defined in the New Mexico Development Fees Act. This means the person must be “a professional engineer, surveyor, financial analyst or planner providing services within the scope of their license, education or experience.”

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION


ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Thorough knowledge of land use and planning principles, program planning, zoning, subdivisions, and capital facility financing methods.
  • Thorough knowledge of the County’s Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Flood Control and Drainage Ordinance, Development Impact Fee Ordinance, County personnel rules and related regulations, and enforcement procedures and methods.
  • Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
  • Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and taking corrective actions.
  • Ability to analyze population and development trends and make objective and unbiased recommendations, and write reports based on the data.
  • Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with associates and the public.
  • Ability to manage and analyze complex planning efforts that include large quantities of data and fiscal information, and utilize various technical skills and software, including Geographic Information’s Technology, database management systems, and publications software.
  • Ability to coordinate multi-departmental and agency land use and planning efforts.
  • Ability to participate in or coordinate Capital Improvement and fiscal and impact fee activities and draft associated ordinances, regulations, and analyses.

SCREENING AND COMPLIANCE

  • The offer of this Bernalillo County position requires compliance with the following:
  • Employee must successfully complete the post-offer employment medical examination and background investigation.
  • This position is safety sensitive. Employment is subject to a pre-employment and random drug testing in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state rules and regulations regarding alcohol and/or drug testing.
  • Employee must comply with the safety guidelines of the County.
  • Employee must have a valid New Mexico driver’s license by employment date and maintain a valid NM driver’s license while employed in this position.
  • Employee must complete the required FEMA training(s) as assigned to the position.
  • Employee must complete the required Supervisor classes if applicable.


WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Essential job duties are performed indoors in a climate-controlled environment, but the duties of the job may require occasional work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
  • The primary work surface is an even, dry, carpeted, or tiled floor.
  • Works alone primarily, with or without directions. Works with a group at times, and with a select team at times.
  • Attendance at evening meetings is required as necessary.
     

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS

  • Telephone, calculator, computer, fax machine, and copy machine are used in the performance of essential job duties.
  • Various forms of paperwork. Office supplies and money are handled in the performance of essential job duties.
Revision: 8/21/2025 1:40:29 PM