Planner - Land Development

Job Summary/Scope

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Wilson is a city of around 50,000 people located in the heart of eastern North Carolina. We are about an hour from the Research Triangle and the buzz of the Raleigh area, and you can also quickly reach the North Carolina beaches.

The City of Wilson is known for innovation and outstanding service. We have top-rated, nationally accredited police, fire and recreation departments. Our parks and sports facilities are among the best in the nation, and our Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park is a unique and beautiful attraction that hosts concerts, farmers markets and the N.C. Whirligig Festival among other events. Our downtown ballpark proudly serves as the home of the Milwaukee Brewers minor league affiliate. The team celebrated its inaugural Opening Night on April 14, 2026, marking an exciting new chapter for our community and downtown district.

Wilson has the strongest manufacturing base in our part of the state, including tire manufacturing, pharmaceutical and other industries. The Greenlight citywide broadband services help technology-based companies flourish.

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a best-in-class benefits package that brings additional value to your total compensation. To learn more about our benefits package, click on the ‘Benefits’ tab above.

The hiring range for this position is $57,753.17 (minimum salary) to $79,534.89 (midpoint of range) dependent upon qualifications.

This position performs technical planning duties for the city. Successful performance facilitates and promotes well planned city development and growth.

The work consists of varied administrative and technical duties. The unique nature of each case contributes to the complexity of the work.

Job Responsibilities

Major Duties

• Reviews all site plans, new subdivision proposals, and street closings; meets with developers, engineers, and surveyors to discuss proposals; serves on Technical Review Committee; advises developers and the general public in regards to requirements and protocols.
• Prepares legal ads for publication; ensures the placement of rezoning notice and street closing notice signs.
• Prepares case write ups and supporting documentation.
• Prepares necessary graphic displays for public hearings; prepares resolutions and ordinances; records ordinances and plats and Register of Deeds.
• Maintains appropriate files and records.
• Updates all GIS data sets used to produce department maps; prepare special maps and graphics as needed; produces standards maps for the public.
• Administers the floodplain ordinance and the Community Ratings System; interprets ordinance to the general public; maintains appropriate records; prepares and mails annual letters to flood hazard area property owners and insurers, banks, and real estate offices.
• Administers zoning code and subdivision regulations pertaining to variance requests; advises developers and general public of proper procedures; reviews applications; prepares adjoining property notices; makes public presentations to the Board of Adjustment; writes Board orders.
• Responds to inquiries from developers, citizens, and staff regarding planning, zoning, subdivision, and land development.
• Conducts training sessions on topics related to planning, zoning, subdivision, and land development, as needed.
• Prepares technical studies and reports for the City Council, Board of Adjustment, Planning & Design Review Board, and City Manager.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Guidelines

• Guidelines include department standard operating procedures, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, North Carolina General Statutes, the Growth Plan, Thoroughfare Plan, Airport Zoning Ordinance, and relevant city, state, and federal codes, laws, and regulations. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
  
  

Supervisory/Management Responsibility

• None
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience Requirements

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a bachelor's or master's degree in a course of study related to the occupational field.
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the work of subordinate positions to be able to answer questions and resolve problems, usually associated with one to three years experience or service.
• Preferred or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire:CFM
• Preferred, but not required:AICP and/or CZO
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
  
  

Knowledge Requirements

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of city planning.
• Knowledge of GIS applications, including ArcView, ArcMap, and ArcInfo.
• Knowledge of department and city policies and procedures and federal, state, and local codes, laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of research methodology and standard statistical procedures.
• Skill in the operation of computers and other standard office equipment.
• Skill in planning, organization, and decision making.
• Skill in public speaking and public relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
  
  

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table, or while intermittently sitting, standing, or walking. Occasionally work is performed outdoors in cold or inclement weather.
• The employee occasionally lifts light objects, and must distinguish between shades of color.
  
  

Benefits

The City of Wilson is dedicated to providing unique benefits that meet the needs of our employees and their families, while being competitive and cost effective. We offer the following benefits:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Paid holidays (maximum 12 per year)
• Health/dental/vision insurance
• Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Retirement System
• 5% 401(k) contribution
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for medical and childcare expenses
• Paid Life Insurance
• MD Live (Cigna's Telehealth)
• Supplementary benefits including critical care, cancer, accident, medical bridge, long and short term disability and term and whole life insurance.