The purpose of this position is to serve as the main point of contact within the Planning and Economic Development Division for current and future residents, developers, surveyors, business owners, investors, and others. This position also provides administrative support for the Planning Division staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNTIONS: 

The following duties are representative of this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Explains unified development ordinance (UDO) land development regulations and permitting procedures to residents, landowners, investors, contractors, civil engineers, land surveyors, realtors and other professionals involved with property matters.
• Coordinates and facilitates predevelopment meetings with potential applicants and relevant town and county review staff.
• Reviews development applications for completeness based on checklists and routes projects to others based on complexity and internal processes. Collects and consolidates review comments and provides feedback to applicants.
• Reviews permit applications, building plans and maps to assure compliance with ordinance requirements. Issues routine permits.
• Maintains GIS geodatabases for addressing, zoning, and future land use. These geodatabases are published on the town website through an ArcGIS on-line service. Addressing supports the county 911 database through a SQL server.
• Performs routine office tasks including data entry, file management, copying, answering telephone, and preparing zoning verification letters and public notices.
• Develops and maintains automated tracking systems, informational handouts, application forms, and assists with volunteer recruiting and tracking for advisory boards.
• Researches and compiles information on a variety of planning issues from multiple sources.
• Performs code enforcement duties, including making site visits to verify complaints and monitor compliance and securing compliance through correspondence, meetings, photos, and record keeping.
• Reviews applications and issues permits consistent with Town Code requirements for sidewalk dining, private use of public space, special events, and food trucks.
• Performs other related duties as required.

• An associate degree in planning, geography, public administration, political science or a related field and two or more years of related work experience; or a bachelor's degree in planning, geography, public administration, political science or a related field and less than one year of related work experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job functions.
• Valid Driver's License required.
• Prior work experience in local government is preferred

• Must be physically able to operate a variety of office equipment.
• Must possess visual acuity to operate a computer, distinguish subtle color differences, and do extensive reading.
• Must be physically able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Must be able to lift or carry up to 20pounds.
• Sedentary work involves walking and standing for brief periods of time.
• Field work (site inspections) involves walking across uneven surfaces, observing environmental conditions, communicating with others verbally and in writing, and maintaining personal safety on a construction site.

Knowledge:

• Methods, policies, and procedures as they pertain to the performance of duties, including town codes, ordinances and guidelines, employee handbook, NC General Statutes, required records, reports, documents, and related information, and departmental operations and activities.
• Planning and zoning principles, theory, techniques and practices, as well as the methods, procedures, and policies of the Planning Division.
• Functions and interrelationships of the town departments to each other and to other governmental agencies.

Skills:

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Administrative, organizational, record keeping, and customer service skills. Use and maintain a variety of office equipment including calculator, computer, printer, copier, scanner, fax machine, shredder, telephone, etc.
• Detailed use a variety of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.
• Intermediate use of ArcGIS/ESRI productions and publication software like Adobe and Creative Cloud.
• Conversational Spanish, written and/or spoken highly desired.

Abilities:

• Read and interpret maps and aerial photographs. Read and interpret surveys, engineering drawings, and plans.
• Produce quality work, which requires constant attention to detail. Plan and develop daily, short- and long-term goals.
• Comprehend, interpret and apply regulations, procedures and related information. Assemble and analyze information and make written reports and documents in a clear, concise, and effective manner.
• Explain complex planning terminology and processes, verbally and in writing, to the general public, those with limited to no experience in the field, and volunteer board members in a concise, understandable, and professional manner.
• Exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contacts with the general public, management, and town staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships, and effectively communicate with other employees, elected officials, town management, business owners, vendors and the general public; provide assistance and advice to various departments and individuals.
• React calmly and quickly in emergency situations.