Planner

City of Murfreesboro, TN; Murfreesboro (TN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Murfreesboro, TN is seeking a Planning Assistant to provide technical, administrative, and planning support within the Planning Department. This role supports zoning, subdivision reviews, GIS mapping, and public outreach to ensure compliance with regulations.

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in urban planning or public administration, with experience in urban planning preferred and bilingual Spanish skills encouraged; a valid driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or public administration required.
• One year of urban planning experience preferred.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with others in English to ensure safe, efficient operations.
• Review plats, site plans, and elevations for compliance with regulations.
• Assist customers in interpreting the Zoning Ordinance for project needs.
• Prepare notices for public hearings and create GIS maps for annexation studies.
• Respond to inquiries about zoning classifications, violations, and flood hazard areas.
• Present planning items to City Council and planning boards as needed.
• Review permits and ensure coordination across Building and Codes departments.

Skills

English communication

Public speaking

Customer service

Bilingual Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or public administration

Tools

GIS software

Job description

This position is considered a Safety-Sensitive position. Applicants who pass the interview process will be subject to drug and alcohol testing.

The purpose of this class within the organization is to provide technical, administrative, and planning related support for the Planning Department.

Essential Functions

• Must be able to communicate with others in spoken and written English to ensure the safe and efficient operations of the business.
• Reviews preliminary and final plats, site plans, and architectural elevations to ensure compliance with the City’s Subdivision Regulations, Zoning Ordinance, and Design Guidelines.
• Assist customers in interpreting the Zoning Ordinance to address their specific needs and project requirements.
• Prepares legal notices and notifies the public of public hearings for Planning Commission and City Council meetings regarding rezoning and annexation of property. Make various maps using GIS software. Creates various maps using GIS software and compiles supporting data from multiple departments to prepare annexation studies for proposed properties.
• Responds to public inquiries regarding zoning classifications, potential violations, and flood hazard areas; provides zoning verification letters and other written correspondence as requested. Conducts research on planning-related topics, including surveying practices in other municipalities, and drafts reports for the Planning Director’s review.
• Presents planning-related items before the City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Historic Zoning Commission as needed.
• Reviews applications for special use permits and variances; prepares detailed staff reports for the Board of Zoning Appeals. Evaluates applications for administrative renewal of special use permits. Reviews applications for certificates of compliance and writes staff reports for the Historic Zoning Commission.
• Reviews and processes building permit applications for single-family residential homes and accessory structures. Reviews and processes food truck permit applications; answers public inquiries regarding the City’s food truck ordinance. Participates in weekly commercial plans review meeting with the Building and Codes Department and communicates Planning-related concerns to ensure coordination across departments.

Additional Duties

Performs other work as assigned.

Physical Demands

Work duties are generally performed while standing, walking, or sitting; however, the position also requires occasional bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs, traversing rough or uneven terrain, and intermittently lifting objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in urban planning or public administration is preferred.

A minimum of one (1) year of experience in Urban Planning or Public Administration is preferred.

Bilingual proficiency in spoken and written Spanish is preferred.

Special Certifications and Licenses

Must have a valid driver’s license.

The City of Murfreesboro is an Equal Opportunity Employer.