Senior Planner

This position is responsible for assisting with the administration of planning and development activities for the City.

Major Duties

Provides customer service; provides information regarding regulatory matters.

Meets with developers and property owners to provide guidance and advice regarding standards and procedures; reviews and approves commercial and residential building site plans for compliance with zoning ordinances; reviews zoning compliance applications for existing buildings that change occupant or use; reviews signage permits, and related duties.

Conducts staff reports and preparation of analysis and recommendations regarding rezoning, special uses and other development related petitions and requests.

Provides staff support to various City appointed advisory committees, boards and neighborhood associations.

Presents analysis and recommendations to the Hickory Regional Planning Commission, Hickory Board of Adjustment and other relevant bodies.

Provides collaborative review input regarding property subdivision, planned developments, and site plans.

Identifies and secures appropriate grant funding.

Work on special projects including planning studies, neighborhood planning, and comprehensive planning.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in planning, Geography, Public Administration or closely related field.

Three to five years of local government planning experience.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, zoning, land use, development, and historic preservation.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of long-range planning, neighborhood planning, and comprehensive planning.

Knowledge of and ability to use GIS.

Abiltiy to learn and become familiar with the City's ordinances and land use regulations.

Knowledge of relevant state laws and regulations.

Skill in performing planning functions.

Skill in preparing and presenting public presentations.

Skill in the use of a personal computer and word processing, presentation software, geographic information system, database software systems, and office equipment.

Skill in organization and prioritizing work.

Skill in collecting and analyzing data.

Skill in reading and interpreting development plans.

Skill in public and interpersonal relations.

Skill in oral and written communication.

Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position: having had a similar position for three to five years.

Possession of or ability to attain AICP and CZO certifications.

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license, issued by the State of North Carolina.

Supplemental Information

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Planning Director or Planning Manager assigns work in terms of general instruction. Completed work is spot-checked for compliance with procedures, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

GUIDELINES: To include relevant state and federal laws, the Land Development Code, other City Master Plans, and accepted planning practices. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied planning duties. The need to be sensitive to political factors and legal issues contribute to the complexity of the work.

SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to perform planning duties in support of the City of Hickory. Successful performance enhances the orderly growth and economic development of the city.

PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, real estate agents and developers, engineers, architects, contractors, city officials and department heads, business representatives, building inspectors, industry professionals, attorneys, other planners, and the general public.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give and exchange information, provide services, resolve problems, motivate or influence persons, and justify or defend matters.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while sitting, standing, or bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects and must distinguish between shades of color.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office and occasionally outdoors in cold or inclement weather.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: None.

The City of Hickory provides a generous benefit package valued at over 30% of an employee's annual salary. Employer provided benefits include:

• 11 paid holidays
• 12 paid sick leave days per year
• Paid vacation
• Health insurance for employees and family members
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program – 5 FREE visits
• 15.1% contribution per employee to the NC Local Government Retirement System
• Up to 5% matching contribution to 401k
• Free Life insurance of 1.5 times salary up to ($125,000)
• Tuition Assistance Program
• On-site Wellness Clinic
• A selection of voluntary benefits such as additional life insurance, dependent life, short-term disability insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance.