Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Community Planning Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Community Planning Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and advancing municipal and community development initiatives that support sustainable land use, equitable growth, and public engagement. This role manages planning projects, facilitates stakeholder consultations, prepares regulatory documentation, analyzes land‑use data, and supports policy development. The Coordinator acts as a primary liaison between residents, elected officials, developers, and internal departments to ensure compliant, community‑oriented outcomes that align with municipal strategic plans.

Key SEO terms: Community Planning Coordinator, community development, urban planning, land use, zoning, public engagement, GIS mapping, grant administration, municipal planning, policy implementation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Planning Technician or Planning Assistant
Community Outreach Specialist / Engagement Coordinator
GIS Technician or Urban Studies Graduate Intern

Advancement To:

Senior Planner / Planning Supervisor
Community Development Manager
Principal Planner or Planning Director

Lateral Moves:

Economic Development Coordinator
Housing Programs Coordinator
Environmental Planning Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead coordination and delivery of community planning projects from inception to completion, including timelines, deliverables, stakeholder outreach, and reporting to elected officials and committees.
Prepare, review, and process planning applications, rezoning requests, site plan approvals, conditional use permits, and subdivision plats in accordance with municipal codes and provincial/state regulations.
Conduct thorough land‑use and zoning analyses, interpreting municipal bylaws, comprehensive plans, development agreements, and technical reports to advise applicants and internal stakeholders.
Design and implement inclusive public engagement strategies—public meetings, workshops, pop‑ups, surveys, and online consultations—to gather community feedback and synthesize input into actionable recommendations.
Draft planning reports, staff recommendations, Council/Commission memos, and public notices that clearly articulate project impacts, policy rationale, and recommended conditions of approval.
Manage and communicate project budgets, grant-funded program expenditures, and contract deliverables for consultants and vendors to ensure fiscal accountability and timely outcomes.
Coordinate interdepartmental review processes with engineering, building, transportation, parks, environmental health, and legal departments to resolve technical and regulatory issues affecting development proposals.
Develop and maintain accurate project files, records, and GIS layers; perform spatial analysis to inform site suitability, infill potential, and servicing constraints.
Administer and monitor compliance with development agreements, covenant conditions, environmental mitigation measures, and post‑approval requirements.
Prepare and administer grant applications, funding proposals, and program reporting for state/provincial/federal community planning and infrastructure funding opportunities.
Conduct site visits and field inspections to verify plan conformity, assess neighborhood conditions, identify on‑the‑ground constraints, and document site features with photographs and notes.
Review environmental assessments, transportation impact studies, stormwater management plans, and arborist reports to inform planning decisions and permit conditions.
Facilitate public hearings, planning commissions, and advisory committee meetings, including agenda preparation, presentation materials, and follow‑up actions.
Provide technical guidance and customer service to applicants, citizens, developers, and community groups by explaining application requirements, fees, and process milestones.
Support and contribute to long‑range planning initiatives such as comprehensive plans, neighborhood plans, corridor studies, and policy updates to reflect demographic and economic trends.
Monitor and analyze demographics, housing supply, development activity, and market trends to provide policy recommendations and support evidence‑based planning.
Implement accessibility, equity, and inclusion considerations into planning processes and outreach to ensure broad community representation and culturally appropriate engagement.
Coordinate and review consultant work, scopes of services, and deliverables; evaluate proposals and recommend contract awards to ensure high‑quality technical expertise.
Prepare maps, graphics, renderings, and visual exhibits for public presentations, planning reports, and development review packages to convey complex information clearly and persuasively.
Respond to zoning inquiries, nuisance complaints, and code enforcement referrals; prepare violation notices and coordinate corrective actions with enforcement teams.
Track legislative, regulatory, and best practice changes in land use, housing policy, environmental regulation, and transportation planning and propose local amendments as needed.
Support economic development and housing initiatives by coordinating with housing authorities, developers, and nonprofit partners on incentive programs, affordable housing strategies, and site feasibility.
Mentor junior staff, interns, and volunteers; lead training sessions to build internal capacity around application processing, GIS tools, and public engagement techniques.
Implement performance metrics and regular reporting for planning projects to monitor progress, outcomes, and community impact.

Secondary Functions

Support ad‑hoc research projects, data collection, and exploratory analysis for strategic planning needs and Council briefing notes.
Maintain and update the planning department’s web content, FAQs, and digital application guides to improve transparency and self‑service options for applicants.
Assist in emergency response planning coordination related to land use, temporary permitting, and recovery planning following natural disasters or critical incidents.
Participate in cross‑functional teams for capital projects, streetscape improvements, and transit planning to align urban design and land use objectives.
Represent the planning department at community events, workshops, and intergovernmental meetings to build partnerships and share program updates.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient knowledge of municipal planning principles, land use regulations, zoning codes, subdivision regulations, and development review processes.
Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) for mapping, spatial analysis, and producing planning exhibits.
Strong report writing and technical documentation skills, including preparing planning staff reports, policy briefs, and public notices.
Familiarity with public participation and engagement tools (online survey platforms, virtual meeting tools, visualization software).
Ability to interpret technical studies such as traffic impact analyses, stormwater management reports, environmental assessments, and geotechnical summaries.
Project management skills including scoping, scheduling, budget tracking, RFP preparation, and consultant management.
Experience with permit tracking and land development software or permitting portals (e.g., Accela, Munis, CivicPlus).
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel for data analysis, and PowerPoint for presentations.
Grant writing and fund administration experience, including reporting for government and foundation funding sources.
Knowledge of building codes, accessibility standards (ADA), and environmental regulations that affect land development projects.
Basic graphic design and visualization skills (Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, SketchUp, or similar) to prepare clear public-facing materials.
Data analysis skills, including working with demographic data sources and neighborhood indicators to inform planning decisions.

Soft Skills

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills tailored to technical audiences, elected officials, and the general public.
Strong stakeholder facilitation and negotiation skills to balance competing interests and achieve consensus outcomes.
Customer service orientation with ability to manage difficult conversations and provide clear guidance to applicants.
Critical thinking and problem solving with attention to detail and ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations.
Time management and prioritization skills to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines effectively.
Cultural competence and empathy to engage diverse communities respectfully and inclusively.
Teamwork and collaboration, with demonstrated ability to work across departments and with external partners.
Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic municipal environment with shifting priorities and emergent issues.
Professional integrity, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
Coaching and mentoring ability to develop junior staff capacity and support professional development.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Environmental Studies, Community Development, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Urban/Regional Planning (MUP/MURP), City Planning, Public Policy, or equivalent professional planning certification (AICP or provincial equivalent).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Urban Planning / Regional Planning
Community Development / Public Policy
Geography / GIS
Environmental Management / Landscape Architecture
Public Administration / Municipal Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, community development, or related public sector roles.

Preferred:

3+ years of experience in municipal planning or local government planning departments.
Experience managing public engagement processes, processing development applications, and working with elected bodies.
Demonstrated experience using GIS for spatial analysis and creating planning exhibits.
Prior experience with grant applications and administration or housing and economic development programs.