Principal Planner
City of Opelika
Opelika, AL
Experience Level: Mid-Level
AICP Certification: AICP Preferred
Salary: $64,532.30 - $70,985.53 annual compensation
The City of Opelika is hiring a Principal Planner to join our team. Opelika is a vibrant city anchored by its historic downtown, but experiencing dynamic growth and revitalization. This position will play a pivotal role in shaping the City’s future by leading comprehensive and long-range planning initiatives. The successful candidate will help administer planning and development activities, prepare specific area and corridor plans, and update and modernize regulations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage long-range planning efforts including comprehensive planning, specific area plans, and zoning ordinance and regulatory amendments.
- Coordinate project schedules, supervise planning staff, and oversee consultant contracts.
- Analyze planning data and community needs, and provide strategic recommendations for land use and development.
- Review and evaluate current planning applications, ensuring alignment with city regulations and long-range goals.
- Draft high-quality plans, reports, and maps and present findings, plans, and amendments to the public, stakeholders and boards and commissions.
- Provide expert guidance and education to staff, elected officials, stakeholders, and the public on planning-related topics.
- Perform supervisory duties including training, assigning tasks, and reviewing work for quality and compliance.
- Attend and present at public meetings, workshops, and conferences.
Qualifications:
- Requires bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a closely related field, plus three years of professional planning experience, or a master’s degree in urban planning or a closely related field, plus two years of professional planning experience.
- Requires a valid State of Alabama Driver’s License.
- AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification highly preferred.
- Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training which provides the required knowledge, abilities and skills may be considered as determined by the hiring authority.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Strong knowledge of planning principle, land use management, and zoning practices.
- Proficiency with GIS platforms including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.
- Skilled in project management, public speaking, community engagement, and staff supervision.
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
- Ability to interpret ordinances, analyze data, and provide innovative solutions.
- Comfortable managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
Apply Online and review the detailed job description at:
https://ss.opelika-al.gov/ess/employmentopportunities/default.aspx
Pay Range: $64,532.30 - $70,985.53 annual compensation
Job Posting Closing: Thursday May 15, 2025
Posted April 24, 2025, 11:05 AM PDT
Find your next career opportunity in planning and urban design.

Planetizen Courses: Online Training in Urban Planning
Access more than 250 urban planning courses on your computer, phone, or tablet. Learn today, plan for tomorrow.


Planetizen AICP* Exam Prep Class
90% of students who took our class passed the exam and became AICP* certified.


Make sure your job listing gets noticed by the right candidates today.

Take the Next Step in Your Career
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions