Community Development Planner II

Commerce; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

State retirement

12 paid holidays

Flexible Spending Accounts

WeSave employee discounts

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is seeking a Community Development Planner II (NS) for the Piedmont‑Triad region. This is a full‑time, home‑based role with State Benefits including health insurance. Travel is required.

You will lead planning initiatives, provide technical assistance to rural communities, and collaborate with local governments and state officials. A master’s degree in planning or public administration is required, plus related experience.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of technical planning methodologies.
• Working knowledge of governmental administration, especially at the local level.
• Experience with governmental programs and services pertinent to planning and management assistance.
• Demonstrated experience communicating in oral and written form, and coordinating a team of planners.
• Experience working with State and local officials and the public.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for local governments in Piedmont Triad, guiding economic development plans.
• Lead strategic economic development planning, technical assistance, capacity building, and grant guidance for rural communities.
• Improve Rural Planning program efficiencies and develop new tools and resources.
• Work independently under supervision, with periodic review of results.
• Travel is required, including overnight stays.

Skills

Technical planning

Govt administration

Team leadership

Stakeholder coordination

Oral & written communication

Education

Master's degree in planning

Master's in Public Administration (planning)

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Position

Community Development Planner II (NS)

Position Number 60081197 Grade NC17

About the Department

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well‑being and quality of life for all North Carolinians. The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.

Job Overview

This is a home‑based position that will serve the Piedmont‑Triad area. This is a full‑time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement.

Responsibilities

• This position serves as the primary point of contact for local governments in the Piedmont Triad region of the state, supervising the development and implementation of economic development plans.
• This position serves as a lead team member and conducts and facilitates strategic economic development planning, technical assistance and capacity building, training and education, and grant and funding guidance to all rural communities, towns, and counties in the Piedmont Triad region.
• This position is also charged as a team member to assist with improving efficiencies of the Rural Planning program, developing new tools, resources, and programming to continue to make improvements to the program that result in increased investment, business growth, and job creation in designated program communities.
• The work is performed independently under the general supervision of the Rural Planning Program Manager and is reviewed through periodic reports, conferences, and evaluation of results achieved.
• Travel is required, including overnight stays.
• Must have a valid NC Driver’s License or be able to obtain one within the 90‑days of employment.

Work Unit

The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center serves an integral part of the Division of Rural Economic Development and works in regions, counties, cities, towns, downtown districts and in designated North Carolina Main Street communities, to inspire placemaking through building asset‑based economic development strategies that achieve measurable results such as investment, business growth and jobs.

Benefits

Benefits to include:

• 12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave
• North Carolina State Health Plan administered by Aetna
• Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, and Vision
• NC State Retirement (TSERS), 401(k), and 457 savings plans
• WeSave Employee Discounts
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Learn more about new hire resources, safety, health, and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by selecting the benefits link.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of technical planning methodologies.
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of governmental administration, especially at the local level.
• Working knowledge of governmental programs and services pertinent to the planning and management assistance process.
• Demonstrated experience communicating in oral and written form, and to coordinate the work of a team of planners.
• Demonstrated experience working with State and local officials and the public.

Minimum Education and Experience

Master's degree in a planning curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and two years experience in planning in which one year was in a team lead or supervisory role; or Master’s degree in Public Administration, including planning courses from an appropriately accredited institution and two years experience in planning in which one year was in a team lead or supervisory role; or Bachelor’s degree in a field related to planning, including courses in planning from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of specifically related planning experience in which one year was in a team lead or supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Salary

Recruitment range is $60,881 - $63,411.

Location and Travel

This is a home-based position that will serve the Piedmont‑Triad area. Travel is required, including overnight stays.

Employment Policies

Applicants who possess the following qualifications may receive management preference.

Employment Eligibility

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment. Commerce does not provide employment visa sponsorship.

Veteran and National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD‑214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.

Disability Accommodation

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax by the vacancy closing date.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Re‑Entry for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

Our Agency supports the Governor's Executive Order 303 which seeks to re‑employ individuals that were previously incarcerated. Formerly incarcerated individuals are invited to apply for any vacant Commerce position(s) in which they believe they are qualified.

Additional Information

All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.