Planner

Job Description

The City of Raleigh is on the lookout for a dynamic planner to join our Zoning Team within the Planning and Development Department. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the community by ensuring the highest standards of land use and zoning compliance for residential and small-scale commercial projects.

About You:
The ideal candidate for this position should be passionate about shaping the built environment and connecting with residents and other community stakeholders about the development process. You’ll work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to effectuate progressive and responsible land-use regulations while delivering excellent customer service. You should also be interested in organizational excellence and process improvements that enable us to do our jobs more effectively.

About Us:
The Planning and Development Department is tasked with guiding development in the City of Raleigh; everything from Building Inspections to Historic Preservation to Comprehensive Planning. The Zoning Review team is a unit of Current Planning responsible for administration of the Unified Development Ordinance and other related regulations and programs. The team is led by a Planning Supervisor and is composed of two Planners and three Senior Planners. Zoning Review works closely with the other Current Planning Units, Site Review and Non-Construction/Recorded Map, in addition to our partners in Continuous Service and Customer Service.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Evaluate projects to ensure compliance with the City’s Unified Development Ordinance
• Oversee and guide the progression of plans through the development review process, from initial submission to the issuance of entitlements
• Identify and implement strategies to enhance the development review process, bringing innovative solutions and streamlining operations to better serve the community
• Act as the main contact for developers, design professionals, and City staff, facilitating effective communication and collaboration
• Prepare and present technical information to various stakeholders
• Develop and maintain processes that promote clear and supportive communication with the public, ensuring transparency and responsiveness in all interactions
• Specific projects Planner’s review and evaluate include: residential fences, accessory structures, commercial alterations, trade permits, infill determinations, and porches and decks

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Additional Information

Knowledge of:

• Planning principles, practices, and techniques
• Principles and practices of program administration and management
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis
• Best practices, trends, and emerging technologies
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations
• Customer service principles
• Modern office technology

• Decision making in complex tasks
• Coordinating deadlines, prioritizing work volume and assigning/monitoring work performed
• Providing project/program management, organization, and logistics coordination
• Overseeing the implementation and adherence to development standards
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

ADA and Other Requirements:

Work Environment and Physical Effort:
Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment:
Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment. Employees may occasionally work in an outdoor environment or in a vehicle.

Work Exposures:
Employees in this role will occasionally interact with individuals who are hostile or irate.

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.