Principal Planner (Expediter)

Job Description

The City of Raleigh is seeking a collaborative, solutions-oriented professional to serve as a Principal Planner specializing in permitting solutions within the Raleigh Planning and Development Department. This position plays a central role in guiding permit applications and development plans through the review lifecycle, helping move projects efficiently from intake to approval while maintaining a strong commitment to customer service and regulatory integrity.

In this role, you will act as a key liaison for applicants, residents, design professionals, reviewers, and City staff. You’ll coordinate across departments, help resolve issues, and translate complex technical and regulatory information into clear, actionable guidance for applicants navigating the development review and permitting process. The Principal Planner balances customer needs with organizational priorities, triages inquiries and escalations, and works proactively to identify challenges early so they can be addressed effectively.

You’ll also contribute to continuous improvement by analyzing permit activity/trends and leading initiatives that enhance processes and service delivery. A key part of the work also includes evaluating projects for consistency with the Unified Development Ordinance and related codes.

The Planning and Development Department is tasked with guiding development in the City of Raleigh, supporting responsible and sustainable growth. The Land Development Division is responsible for the intake, review, and issuance of plans and permits, ensuring development within the City adheres to applicable policies and regulations.

As part of the team you’ll enjoy a supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to contribute to shaping Raleigh’s future. The Division also works closely with the other teams across the City involved with Development Review and Capital Projects. The Division is led by an Assistant Director, two Managers, and multiple supervisors.

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.

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  Supervise two Senior Permit Advocates
• Monitor permit activity and provide targeted support for select or stalled development applications, helping move projects efficiently from intake to approval
• Work across disciplines to expedite the approval of projects that are a City priority and/or are close to completion
• Triage and manage inquiries and escalations while balancing customer needs with regulatory requirements and organizational priorities
• Coordinate across departments to facilitate issue resolution and help applicants achieve compliance with applicable regulations
• Serve as a liaison for applicants, residents, design professionals, reviewers, and City staff, fostering clear communication, collaboration, and excellent customer service
• Analyze permit activity and performance trends to recommend process improvements and support special initiatives
• Review projects for consistency with the City’s Unified Development Ordinance and other codes

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Additional Information

• Planning and land development principles, practices, and techniques including those related to construction, transportation, public utilities, and natural resources
• Public administration best practices
• Principles and practices of project management and organization
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis
• Principles and techniques of effective writing
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations
• Customer service principles
• Planning related technologies such as GIS, CRM, and permitting systems/software
• Research methods and sources of information related to urban growth and development
• Recent development, current literature and sources of information related to municipal planning administration
• Best practices in community engagement and survey design
• Principles and practices of program administration and management
• Principles and methods of qualitative and quantitative research
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques

• Supervising and evaluating staff performance
• Coaching and mentoring others
• Working across disciplines to understand pain points and identify creative solutions that serve both the customer and the general public
• Balancing policy goals and service-delivery with a keen understanding of organizational priorities
• Expertise in administration of laws, codes, and regulations relevant to planning and development
• Strong project management and organizational skills, ability to coordinate deadlines, and manage work volume
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills, including fostering and maintaining positive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, receiving work direction, and communicating technical information to technical and non-technical audiences
• Practice sound judgement, and be comfortable gathering data, analyzing findings and applying logic and reason to make informed decisions in complex situations
• Competently author original reports, technical documents, and presentations
• Managing multiple high-profile or time-sensitive projects
• Facilitating public meetings and engaging with diverse community stakeholders
• Coaching and leading the work of others