Town Planner

About the role

Performs professional planning work involving the development, implementation, and administration of municipal land-use plans, ordinances, zoning regulations, and community development programs. Distinguishing Features Of The Class: Performs planning and development services, GIS, zoning administration, and other related programs for the Town.

Responsibilities

• Interprets and applies ordinances, zoning maps, comprehensive plan, and other planning documents.
• Maintains GIS database; creates GIS maps for zoning, flood ratings, historic district.
• Affords assistance to the public with a variety of information on development review and zoning; reviews and issues zoning permits and confirms business uses.
• Researches ordinances and approaches; drafts ordnance text amendments.
• Prepares documents and maps and assists with preparation for and support to Planning Board, Board of Adjustment and Governing Board as needed.
• Affords assistance with public meetings, neighborhood meetings, compilation of comments and data, preparation of presentations and graphics, investigation of costs, research on environmental components, field work to inventory existing conditions, etc.
• Inspects setbacks and permits to ensure compliance; issues permits including Residential, Commercial, and Floodplain permits.
• Develops and implements long range Comprehensive Plans and Zoning Policies to guide sustainable community growth.
• Applies for grants; conducts required activities and reports on grant usage.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of records, reports, spreadsheets, data bases, etc.
• Serves on additional community boards; included but not limited to Macon County Planning Board and Technical Coordinating Committee.

Requirements

Knows laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to land use planning, zoning, subdivision ordinances, community development, and local governments. Knows the laws, principles, theories, and practices related to modern land use planning and growth management. Knows the environmental and socio-economic implications of the planning process and statutes, laws, rules, and regulations affecting these functions. Considerable knowledge of the application of information technology to planning and development including GIS, databases, spreadsheets, etc. Knows code enforcement principles, regulations, and practices.

Skills

• Designs and facilitates public input processes designed to build consensus among conflicted parties.
• Collections, analysis, and presentation of data, recommendations, policies, and systems.
• Builds consensus, collaborative problem-solving and conflict resolution, and public presentations.
• Interpret and apply ordinances, plans, maps, and other planning and zoning documents.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with community groups, federal, state, regional, and Town officials, and the general public.
• Plans and organizes work for efficient processing, sets and follows effective work priorities, and meets established deadlines.
• Prepares comprehensive reports and studies.
• Expresses ideas effectively in oral and written forms.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in urban planning, city planning, geography, environmental science, or a related field. Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license. Experience in land use planning, zoning, and community development. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, GIS software, and other relevant technologies. Valid NC Professional Planner Certification. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize workload.