Planning Director

General Definition and Conditions of Work

The Town of Carrboro seeks an experienced and highly efficient Planning Director to lead and manage its Planning Department. This role involves complex professional and administrative work in planning, directing, coordinating, and supervising planning, zoning, the Town's building permitting, minimum housing, and inspection programs (, services, and staff. The Planning Director oversees long-range and current planning activities including floodplain and watershed management, Town Engineering/Development Plan Review, Geographic Information Services, administers the department budget, and ensures effective implementation of programs and policies.

The ideal candidate will provide:

• Technical expertise to advisory boards, commissions, elected officials, and community organizations, 
• Formulate, and recommend policies, and 
• Represent the Town with local and regional agencies. 

This role operates under the direction of the Assistant Town Manager with full supervision of department personnel either directly or through subordinate supervisors. 

The position may require work outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, or during emergency situations.

Physical Requirements

• Occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force. 
• Regular activities: speaking, hearing, using hands to handle or feel, and sitting. 
• Frequent activities: reaching, standing, and walking. 
• Occasional activities: climbing, balancing, kneeling, and crawling. 
• Visual acuity is required for reading maps, charts, and written data, operating computers, and observing interior and exterior conditions of land areas and infrastructure, construction sites, and buildings, performing inspection work. 
• Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions. 

Essential Functions

• Department Oversight:
• Administers, plans, organizes, direct, and enforce all Planning Department programs, including zoning, subdivision regulations, watershed protection, flood control, hazard mitigation, and transportation. 
• Supervises, directs, and evaluates department staff, including hiring, scheduling, training, and performance management. 
• Prepares and implements annual planning work programs and department budgets, including managing consultant contracts. 
• Coordinates development review with internal and external review partners. 
• Policy Administration:
• Administers and enforces laws, rules, ordinances, and policies related to planning and zoning; interprets ordinances and issues permits. 
• Coordinates with the Assistant Town Manager on long-term planning and zoning-related projects and manages long-range planning efforts, including land use, transportation, and open space. 
• Manages updates to the Land Use Ordinance and prepares amendments to ordinances as needed. 
• Public and Regional Engagement:
• Oversees preparation of data, staff reports, and recommendations for Town Council, advisory boards, and other committees. 
• Conducts public outreach and community education on planning and zoning issues. 
• Represents the Town at local, regional, and community meetings. 
• Specialized Responsibilities:
• Serves as Floodplain Manager and ensures the Town’s eligibility in the National Flood Insurance program. 
• Serves as Watershed Administrator and ensures the Town's compliance with local and State regulations associated with watershed management/protection. 
• Coordinates with regional agencies on joint programs, grants, and environmental initiatives. 
• Major Initiatives
• Unified Development Ordinance Rewrite: Lead the initiative to update and streamline the Town’s zoning and development regulations to promote sustainability, equity, and growth management.
• Downtown Area Plan Creation: Oversee the creation of a comprehensive downtown development plan that balances economic growth with preserving Carrboro’s unique character.
• Comprehensive Plan Initiatives: Lead and contribute to long-term planning initiatives that guide the Town’s growth and development over the next decade.
• Transportation and Greenway Projects: Oversee transportation and greenway development projects to improve mobility, sustainability, and quality of life for residents.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, City and Regional Planning, Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Geography, or a related field. Masters degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in planning or land use, including a minimum of four years’ experience in positions with progressive responsibility up to and including senior-level position, budget administration, and supervisory experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• AICP certification required. Certified Zoning Officer (CZO), is desired, and certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification is obtainable within 6 months of employment 

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license with an acceptable driving history. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of advanced principles and practices of planning, including rural, regional, and urban planning. Comprehensive understanding of demographics, economics, finance, environmental conditions and regulations, community engagement and equity, and transportation and mobility as they apply to planning. Familiarity with code and building inspection processes, recent developments in planning, and principles of urban design and civil engineering as related to planning. 
• Strong ability in data analysis, presenting technical reports, and making recommendations based on trends and findings. Proficient knowledge of GIS and general office software to support data-driven decision-making and enhance departmental functions.
• Ability to develop goals and priorities, cast a clear vision for the department, and educate staff both within the department and across the organization on the value and significance of the department’s roles. Skilled in creating a working environment that encourages curiosity, explores opportunities for improvement, and embraces change.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with Town leadership, other municipal departments, local, regional and state agencies, elected officials, and community organizations. Foster trust and transparency with residents, businesses, and stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and inclusivity in decision-making processes.
• Ability to continuously seek and implement innovative solutions to improve departmental processes and enhance overall effectiveness. Skilled in promoting a culture of efficiency by streamlining workflows, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring timely service delivery. Demonstrated capacity to encourage staff development and foster an environment that values continuous improvement, creativity, and effective problem-solving.