Assistant Planning & Zoning Administrator

City of Washington; Washington (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Washington seeks an Assistant Planning Administrator to provide advanced professional planning, analysis, and administrative oversight for the historic district and Planning Division. The role guides the comprehensive plan, enforces standards, and supports boards and commissions.

Responsibilities include staff support for meetings, public notifications, data tracking, payroll & budgeting tasks, and interdepartmental coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Geography, or related field, OR an Associate degree in Historical Preservation or related program.
• Two (2) or more years of related experience in planning, local government, or high-level administrative support; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid NC driver's license and ability to obtain NC Notary certification within 6 months; ability to obtain CZO within 1 year.

Responsibilities

• Commission & Board Support: technical staff, records minutes, and consult for historic commissions.
• Planning & Development Review: review plans for variances, rezonings, and special permits with applicants and public.
• Code Enforcement: coordinate historic district enforcement and issue notices; prepare civil litigations.

Skills

Planning

Zoning

GIS

Public speaking

Writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Planning/Public Administration/Landscape Architecture/Geography (or related field)

Associate degree in Historical Preservation (or related program)

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Summary

The Assistant Planning Administrator performs advanced professional planning, analysis, and administrative oversight to ensure the orderly economic growth, development, and preservation of the City’s historical district, while simultaneously managing a broad range of clerical, secretarial, data tracking, and administrative support duties for the Planning Division. This role provides vital professional guidance on the City’s comprehensive plan, enforces local historic standards, manages community programs, coordinates statutory public notification procedures, and delivers comprehensive staff support to governing boards and commissions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Commission & Board Support: Serves as technical staff, records minutes, and provides consultation to the Historic Preservation Commission, the Board of Adjustment, and the Planning Board.
• Planning & Development Review: Reviews plans and applications for variances, rezoning, and special use permits; confers with engineers, developers, architects, contractors, property owners, and the public.
• Code Enforcement: Coordinates Historic District enforcement activities; performs field investigations to ensure projects conform to design standards and nuisance regulations; issues preliminary notices, notices of violation, and prepares civil litigations.
• Administrative & Customer Support: Receives and greets customers; answers inquiries from contractors and the public; handles confidential materials, mail processing, and coordinates meetings, conferences, and travel arrangements for planning staff.
• Public Notification Compliance: Coordinates and verifies statutory public notification processes, including drafting and mailing abutter notices and coordinating the physical posting of signs on-site.
• Data, Payroll, & Budgeting: Handles and processes payroll, accounting, and departmental budget preparation estimates.
• Public Engagement: Participates in and makes presentations at public meetings and hearings to explain planning recommendations, comprehensive plan amendments, and code interpretations.

Required Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in Planning, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Geography, or a related field, OR an Associate degree in Historical Preservation or a related technical school program.
• Two (2) or more years of related experience in planning, local government, or high-level administrative support; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

• Valid N.C. driver's license and an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to obtain an NC Notary certification within 6 months of hire date.
• Ability to obtain Certified Zoning Official (CZO) certification within 1 year of hire date.

Preferred Requirements

• Certified Floodplain Management (CFPM)
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Planning & Preservation Expertise: Thorough knowledge of urban planning principles, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and historic preservation techniques.
• Compliance & Analytics: Ability to prepare and review compliance documents and assimilate knowledge of architectural conservation treatments. Skill in collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical data.
• Administrative & Tech Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and modern municipal computer software for written and graphic communication. Basic proficiency in GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS) to look up parcels, verify historic district boundaries, and generate maps for the public.
• Legal & Communication Foundations: Excellent interpersonal, writing, editing, and oral presentation skills; ability to establish effective working relationships with municipal officials, community groups, and the general public. Working knowledge of North Carolina Public Records Law and open meetings statutes.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: Mostly sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally. Requires frequent computer operation, climbing, balancing, stooping, reaching, walking, grasping, and repetitive motions. Requires vocal communication for responding to inquiries and auditory acuity to take detailed meeting minutes. Visual acuity is required for extensive data analysis and observing field surroundings.
• Environment: Work is primarily performed in a climate-controlled office environment. Field investigations expose the employee to outside hazards such as moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, and electrical currents. Attendance at evening board and commission meetings is required.