Zoning and Design Planning Manager

Pay Range: $47.33 - $53.50/hr. | $98,453 - $111,295 annual compensation  

Job Posting Closing on: Sunday, May 24, 2026  📅

Workdays & Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm; Some evening/weekend work required.

Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities, and much more.

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of over 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.  The Development Services Department seeks to make Fort Worth the most livable city in Texas by promoting orderly growth and development, safe construction and neighborhood vitality.  We are looking for individuals that reflect our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability. 🌆

The Zoning and Design Review Division of the Development Services Department is seeking a charismatic and dynamic individual to manage and lead one of our teams. The Zoning and Design Review Division oversees the following functions for the city: assessment and recommendations for zoning, site plans, plats, annexations, street and alley vacations; tree removal; variances, special exceptions, and waivers; historic preservation; urban design; code amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances; Council-initiated zoning and special reports; zoning determinations including legal nonconformity; reasonable accommodations; and collaboration with other city departments on the production of small area and corridor plans.

The Division manages the following boards and commissions comprised of City Council-appointed citizens: City Plan Commission; Zoning Commission; Board of Adjustments; Urban Design Commission; Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission; and Downtown Design Review Board. Additionally, the Division is responsible for leading the Development Review and Annexation Review Committees, which are comprised of city staff.

The Planning Manager will report to the Assistant Director over the division. This position will be responsible for leading a team of anywhere from 7 – 12 staff members, which includes planning assistants, plans examiners, planners and senior planners.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Planning, Architecture, Urban Planning or Design, Public Administration, Urban Geography or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience as a planner in one or more of the following areas – zoning, platting, historic preservation, urban design, annexation, tree preservation, and/or site plan review.
• Two (2) years of supervisory responsibility or in a leading planner role.
• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Extensive experience in land development and demonstrated knowledge of the various municipal and other regulatory requirements as they relate to zoning, nonconforming uses, reasonable accommodations, subdivisions, and the development review process.
• Extensive experience in the public sector or private sector designing developments utilizing best practices for urban design and open spaces.
• Excellent leadership skills with demonstrated ability to lead and work with cross-functional teams, commissions, and outside agencies.
• Aptitude for quickly analyzing a program demands and determining potential streamline enhancements.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and/or Congress for New Urbanism Accredited (CNU-A) accreditations.
• Recent experience utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS); permitting software; SketchUp or similar 3D design software; and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Microsoft Office skills.

The Planning Manager job responsibilities include:

• Lead, direct, train, motivate, and coordinate the assigned duties and responsibilities of the team.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate subordinate team members.
• Facilitate and manage assigned boards and commissions.
• Explain to commissions, boards, developers and the general public the city planning ordinances, design policies and procedures.
• Make presentations to various audiences including internal staff, boards and commissions, neighborhoods, and City Council.
• Participate in developing the annual work program; recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objects; implement approved policies and procedures.
• Make the team more effective by evaluating the quality, responsiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness of the team and work with co-workers on the continuous improvement of the team.
• Perform administrative personnel duties including hiring, training, conducting performance evaluations, working with staff to correct deficiencies, and implement discipline procedures.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Apply Now! Come be part of something special in Fort Worth. 🌟

Working Conditions

Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, walking and repetitive motions.

Physical Demand

Sedentary Work – Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Municipal government providing public services to the Fort Worth community.