San Miguel County is seeking an experienced and collaborative Planning Director to lead the County's Planning Department and guide land use, development review, long-range planning, and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. Reporting to the Deputy County Manager, the Planning Director provides strategic leadership while supervising a small team and working closely with the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, developers, community members, and partner agencies.
Key responsibilities include:
-Leading and managing the County's Planning Department and development review process.
-Administering land use regulations, zoning, and planning policies.
-Overseeing updates to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code.
-Preparing recommendations for the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners.
-Managing departmental operations, budgets, staff development, and strategic initiatives.
-Building collaborative relationships with community stakeholders while balancing growth, sustainability, and the County's rural mountain character.
Minimum Qualifications:
-Bachelor's degree in Planning or a closely related field.
-Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in community development or a related field, including five (5) years of supervisory experience.
-Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
-AICP certification is preferred.
The successful candidate will possess strong leadership, communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills, along with experience in land use planning, development review, zoning administration, policy development, and public engagement.
Hiring Salary Range: $116,454 - $132,175 annually, with placement potentially higher within the full salary range based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience. Full Salary Range: $$116,454 - $168,858 annually.
Application Deadline: October 24, 2026.
To view the complete job announcement and apply online, visit:
https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/jobs.aspx
Questions may be directed to Human Resources at hr@sanmiguelcountyco.gov or (970) 369-5471.