Category: 
Job


Location: Cary, NC

Senior Planner

Salary: $71,531.20 - $118,019.20 Annually

Closing: 8/27/2023

Description
Cary is looking for a passionate and driven professional to share in our goal of creating the Local Government That Doesn't Exist through innovation, evolution and excellence. We emphasize the importance of taking care of our employees and citizens. We strive to live inspired while working together to impact lives through exceptional service.

This senior level position will join the Planning and Development team to perform complex professional work with a focus on plan review for Cary’s most complex development projects. We are seeking candidates that have extensive experience reviewing or designing infill and redevelopment site plans, a mindset to help facilitate high quality projects, and demonstrated ability to facilitate issue resolution through internal and external collaboration.

We believe Cary offers the best benefits, which supports our diverse workforce, providing employees with choices. A competitive salary is offered depending on qualifications and experience. Our highly comprehensive total compensation package is unprecedented, allowing Cary to value and support our employee’s whole selves, and sets us apart as an employer of choice.

This is an exciting time to be a part of the transformational development occurring in Cary!

This position requires excellent written and verbal skills to communicate with various audiences including boards, commissions, development professionals, and the community. Successful candidates will collaborate in a fast-paced, evolving environment and must be able to adapt to change through continuous learning while empowering others through shared knowledge. Demonstrated knowledge of land use principles, zoning practices, urban design, mixed use concepts, architecture, and engineering are desired.

Work is performed under the general supervision of senior members of the staff and requires independent judgment and discretion in the performance of duties. Specific duties and requirements are determined by the area of assignment.

Typical Tasks

  • Development plan review for various levels of plan and rezoning types and complexities. Plan review requires the application of Cary’s policy documents, Land Development Ordinance and Community Appearance Manual. Plan review responsibilities involve collaboration and effective communication with other departments within Cary as well as the development community.
  • Develops, interprets, amends, and enforces ordinances regarding zoning and development;
  • Drafts Requests for Qualifications and Requests for Proposals and manages consultants for specific projects;
  • Assists in the planning and implementation of various programs related to transit, land use, design guidelines, transportation-related plans and other small area plans;
  • Assists with the review of rezoning and annexation cases.
  • Reviews permits including signs, zoning verification letters, and building permits.
  • Provides staff support to the Zoning Board of Adjustment; process applications and prepares staff reports for variances, administrative appeals and appeals of civil penalties; presents cases to the Zoning Board of Adjustment;
  • Responds to inquiries from citizens, businesses, landowners, developers and elected and appointed officials regarding matters such as population and demographics, status of current projects, interpretations of the Land Use
  • Plan, zoning matters, current and proposed ordinances, area plans and studies and on issues related to environmental and historic preservation and development;
  • Performs other job-related tasks as required
  • Coordinates and organizes public meetings; participates in the facilitation of in-person and virtual public meetings, open houses, and inter-governmental meetings
  • Assists in the development and implementation of Council initiatives and goals related to long- range planning; prepares, plans, develops and implements elements of the comprehensive plan

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of land use planning, planning research, zoning, and annexations; thorough knowledge of municipal planning, landscape architecture principles and practice, and urban design; thorough knowledge of the Development Ordinance and its applications; bicycle and pedestrian planning; thorough knowledge of transit operations and planning; thorough knowledge of growth management methods and practices; thorough knowledge of statistical methods and their application; thorough knowledge of the sources of data and information; thorough knowledge of principles and practice of community facilitation and conflict resolution; thorough knowledge of the use of personal computers and computer software; ability to read and interpret ordinances, statutes, plans, maps, etc.; ability to plan, organize, supervise and carry out complex research projects effectively and simultaneously; ability to present the results of research effectively in oral, written, and graphic form; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, municipal officials, representatives of other agencies, and members of the general public.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications
Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, or a closely related field and considerable experience in professional planning and development. Candidates may also have a background and/or related degree in the areas of site design, land development or construction management with a desire to learn planning. Preferred candidates will have the following:

  • 8-10 years of experience in public or private sector development
  • Master’s degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, architecture, urban design, public administration, or engineering.
  • Experience with land use principles, zoning practices, urban design, mixed use and redevelopment projects
  • Experience with site plan review and/ or creation
  • Experience interpreting and researching ordinances
  • Proficiency navigating plan review software platforms and GIS
  • Experience writing staff reports and making presentations
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Experience completing complex projects in a dynamic, collaborative environment
  • Desire to build collaborative groups within the organization Ability to learn and adapt in an agile environment
  • Ability to work on a variety of tasks while being extremely organized and detail-oriented American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Certified Zoning Official (CZO) or other related professional certifications

Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal check, education verification and credit history review) prior to employment.

Requires a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

How to Apply
Apply online at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/townofcary/jobs/4147695/senior-planner