Community Development Planner

Description

Performs difficult professional and skilled technical work with an emphasis on implementing and improving plans, programs, and policies related to the implementation of adopted Town land use, transportation, and related plans that advance Town goals for vibrant, inclusive, sustainable, safe, and resilient built and preserved environments and economy. This position is designated as essential during emergency or disaster situations. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Planning Manager.

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, coordinates, and manages advanced urban and municipal planning projects including neighborhood and commercial corridor revitalization, long- and short-term strategies to enhance planning, land use and livability, housing affordability, transportation network, community development, economic development, and hazard mitigation and resiliency.
• Oversees community development initiatives, including but not limited to: neighborhood-based redevelopment and community revitalization efforts.
• Develops and prepares new policies on land use, transportation, housing, resiliency, and other related issues.
• Analyzes proposals and plans for consistency with adopted plans and best practices; makes recommendations to Boards and Council.
• Reviews, updates, and implements the Town’s adopted land use plans and other planning related documents; tracks plan and policy changes ensuring progress is being made towards the Town’s goals.
• Attends Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Town Council meetings; prepares and makes presentations on projects, plans, recommendations, and general updates as necessary.
• Responds to related inquiries from Town employees, citizens, Board members, and Council members.
• Prepares professional reports, maps, diagrams, and other deliverables related to plans, policies, and programs.
• Coordinates with other departments and external organizations on multi-departmental or multi-jurisdictional plans, policies, and programs.
• Leads public outreach and engagement related to long-range and community development related planning activities.
• Prepares and distributes requests for proposals and qualifications for planning projects; reviews responses and provides recommendations.
• Serves as Town representative for various boards and committees and attends meetings as assigned.
• Seeks and manages grants opportunities to support community development endeavors; assists appropriate staff with grant applications, reporting and budget management.
• Performs other duties as directed or assigned.
• Integrates and aligns with organizational culture and core values.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning, public administration, or related field, and .
• extensive experience (6+ years) in planning, development review, and/or community development initiatives or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possession of American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification or ability to obtain within 1 year of hire.
• Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of the philosophies, principles, practices, and techniques of planning as they pertain to the design and development of urban and regional areas, planning research, zoning, and community renewal activities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of land development concepts, including planning, zoning, building design, and transportation; comprehensive knowledge of technology and software related to planning, land use, and permitting.
• Comprehensive knowledge of community systems and related group dynamics, planning and decision-making processes.
• Comprehensive knowledge of research methodology and of standard statistical procedures; thorough knowledge of the Town Charter and of the various ordinances, codes, and regulations pertaining to planning, zoning, and subdivision.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the techniques required in the preparation of maps, charts, sketches, and complex graphics.
• Ability to analyze policy and program alternatives and make recommendations for implementation or changes.
• Ability to manage projects effectively, on time, and within financial constraints.
• Ability to effectively facilitate public meetings and garner public and stakeholder engagement, including from populations traditionally marginalized in the public planning processes.
• Ability to read and interpret surveys, plans, architectural and engineering drawings, maps and blueprints accurately.
• Ability to effectively communicate with staff and customers in both oral and written form, both in group and one on one settings.
• Ability to conduct themselves in a professional manner regardless of situation.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, consultants, architects, State and local elected officials, engineers, and the general public.
• Ability to apply divided attention to planning, scheduling, and processing of planning related projects and tasks.
• Ability to apply critical thinking, logic, and reasoning to various types of projects, tasks, and inquiries.
• Regularly demonstrate the Town’s core values of respect, engagement, supportive work environment, communication, and service excellence and leads others to do the same.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires speaking or hearing and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices,operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The Town is interested in hiring qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas. 

---