Senior Planner

SALARY STEP AND GRADE: 24 $55,134--$68,918--$82,701

Supervisor: Planning Director

Performs advanced professional level planning, research, and analysis work in the development and implementation of current and long-range planning activities to ensure the orderly growth of the City. Employee is a proactive leader to support planning and zoning functions and programs.

Typical Functions

An employee in this class performs complex professional and administrative work involving programmatic and project management level comprehensive and small area planning and development regulation to ensure coordinated guidance of the growth and development of the City. Work involves processing complex land use applications; administering the residential and commercial site plan review process; informing the public of planning regulations and procedures; serving as a team leader on special planning projects and initiatives; conducting research and analysis for a variety of planning activities; providing staff assistance to various Boards; processing annexations; and assisting with drafting land use code amendments as needed. Work involves considerable public contact requiring judgment, firmness, and tact. Work is distinguished from the Planner classification by greater independence, complexity of projects, and impact of decisions. Work is performed under general supervision of the Planning Director and is evaluated through conferences, review of work results obtained, and overall acceptance of the programs by the City's citizens.

Essential Duties

Conducts research on planning issues and special projects; researches zoning and ordinance issues; prepares and presents staff reports and recommendations on various planning studies including land use, rezoning, and subdivision development.

Serves as a staff liaison to various boards, commissions and/or committees involved in the development, adoption, and implementation of City plans and policies; prepares agendas and packets for review; attends meetings; prepares and present staff reports and other technical or necessary correspondence; provides staff input and recommendations.

In coordination with the City Clerk, process annexation petitions; coordinates annexation petition/annexation legal description and impacts of annexation with other City departments; completes annexation impact report and determine statutory compliance with State annexation laws.

Creates and updates maps; manages and updates data; gathers data and researches needed information; develops graphs and tables utilizing GIS technology.

Assists with developing, implementing and administering planning and zoning policies, ordinances, and procedures.

Conducts and/or acts as team-lead for long range and special planning studies in the community; gathers data for evaluating current and advanced planning projects.

Researches and prepares planning elements necessary for decisions by management or boards regarding land use, zoning, housing, transportation, open space, and environmental impact.

Advises citizens, other department staff, and Board members on zoning and planning regulations, policies and procedures; interprets ordinances and codes related to development and zoning; serves as a technical advisor and communicates with the public about planning projects.

Manages, facilitates, and coordinates special projects related to land use, growth management, open space plans, streetscape plans, historic homes/district, etc.

Prepares presentations, charts, maps, graphs, and other illustrative materials for presentation to elected officials, appointed boards, and citizens.

Prepares, develops, presents and implements long-range planning projects related to long term

development, coordinates as necessary with adjoining municipalities.

Typical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices pertaining to urban planning and community development.

Thorough knowledge of North Carolina planning, zoning, and community development laws as well as City zoning, land use, and other ordinances and codes.

Considerable knowledge of the built environment and socio-economic implications of the planning process.

Skill in the collection, analysis, and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations.

Skill in collaborative conflict resolution, meeting facilitation, and public presentations.

Ability to prepare and present, in a clear and concise manner, oral and written reports on planning and development activities to internal or external agencies.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community groups, public officials, contractors, and the general public.

Ability to mentor staff in a manner that helps achieve the highest performance.

Ability to enforce codes with firmness and tact.

Knowledge of ESRI ARC GIS data and projects.

Development, interpretation, and enforcement of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and related land use and environmental codes; providing technical assistance on complex issues.

Preparing correspondence, reporting and serving as support staff for the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.

Providing policy guidance and work oversight to staff planners on project review, permit issuance and code enforcement.

Reviewing and evaluating special permit, rezoning, variance and appeals applications; preparing reports.

Preparing and administering planning related grants.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of reaching, standing, manual dexterity, walking, talking, and hearing.

Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Must possess the visual acuity to examine and work with maps, charts, and detailed materials, operate a computer, travel to and inspect sites regarding planning issues, use measuring devices, do figure computations, and do extensive reading.

Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in planning or a related field. Completion of a Master’s degree preferred.

Considerable experience in land use planning activities desired; or an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
CZO certification and/or AICP certification a plus.

NC Drivers’ License

Salary : $55,134 - $68,918