Planner II

Urban Design Planner

Are you passionate about creating vibrant, walkable, and resilient communities? Do you enjoy blending creativity, urban design, and planning to make a lasting impact? The City of Lincoln is seeking an Urban Design Planner to join our Planning and Development Services Department. In this role, you'll help shape the future of a fast-growing Midwest city by leading transformative planning and urban design initiatives that influence neighborhoods, commercial districts, redevelopment projects, and public spaces.

This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with architects, planners, engineers, developers, elected officials, neighborhood organizations, and residents to create a city that is safe, livable, economically strong, and welcoming for generations to come.

About the Planning and Development Services Department

The Planning and Development Services Department (PDS) partners with residents, businesses, and community stakeholders to create a safe, livable, and economically vibrant Lincoln. Through planning, building compliance, housing, and community development, PDS provides responsive, accessible service that helps move projects forward while supporting the City's long-term vision.

As a member of the Long Range Planning Division, you'll work on both long-term planning initiatives and current urban design projects that directly influence Lincoln's continued growth and success.

What You'll Do

• Lead and participate in complex urban design and planning projects, including special planning studies, neighborhood and subarea plans, and redevelopment initiatives.
• Review residential and commercial development proposals for consistency with adopted urban design standards, planning policies, and City regulations.
• Help develop and update urban design standards, planning policies, ordinances, and regulations.
• Serve as professional staff support for one of the City's design review boards.
• Collaborate with City departments, private design professionals, developers, attorneys, and community members throughout the planning and development process.
• Prepare reports, presentations, graphics, and recommendations for public meetings and decision-makers.
• Develop creative design concepts and visualizations that communicate planning ideas and enhance community engagement.
• Provide technical expertise on challenging planning and urban design issues while exercising sound professional judgment.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a collaborative professional who enjoys solving complex planning challenges and communicating design ideas to a variety of audiences. Successful candidates will have:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to interpret and apply planning principles, design standards, regulations, and public policy.
• Experience balancing technical analysis with creative problem-solving.
• The ability to build productive working relationships with colleagues, elected officials, consultants, developers, and members of the public.
• Experience using visualization and design software such as Sketch Up, Lumion, Adobe Creative Cloud, or similar programs is highly valued.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree with major coursework in one of the social or engineering sciences. Professional experience planning or urban design experience in current or long-range planning or in one of the following specialties: transportation planning, historic preservation, wireless telecommunication facilities or other specialized planning function. Or equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience will also be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference may be given to candidates who possess:

• Master's degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, or a closely related field.
• Certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and/or licensure or certification through the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
• Experience with urban design guidelines, professional planning, or design review.
• Strong graphic communication and visualization skills.

Why You'll Enjoy Working Here

You'll join a collaborative team that values thoughtful planning, innovative design, and public…