Planner II / Senior Planner / Principal Planner

Chapel On The Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Chapel Hill is seeking a collaborative urban planner to support long-range planning initiatives with a focus on historic preservation. The ideal candidate will manage various projects while engaging with community stakeholders and preparing reports for presentation to advisory boards. With a flexible work environment and comprehensive benefits, this position is an excellent opportunity for motivated self-starters in a dynamic and inclusive setting.

Benefits

Health Insurance from day one

Retirement Health Savings Plan

Paid Time Off (12-26 days per year)

Tuition assistance

Credit Union eligibility

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include two to seven years of experience, depending on the position level.
• Preference for candidates with historic preservation experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage implementation of planning-related projects.
• Conduct development plan review according to town regulations.
• Engage community stakeholders in planning initiatives.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Collaboration

Data Analysis

Education

Master’s degree in planning or a related field

Job description

Summary

The Town of Chapel Hill is seeking a collaborative urban planner and land use professional to serve in the Planning Department. This position supports long-range planning activities with a focus on historic preservation. The work of this position is accomplished through project management, Advisory Board support, evaluating development applications, and writing reports. The ideal candidates will be motivated self-starters with the ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders and work in a collaborative team environment. This position is eligible for flexible work arrangements, including telework.

About Town Of Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a progressively minded university town of approximately 60,000 residents. We are the home of national champions, academic scholars, community activists, musical trend-setters, authentic local businesses, and much more. The town is situated in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, one of three corners in the famed Research Triangle, and a few short hours from the eastern coastline. We thrive on teamwork, collaboration, engagement, and open dialogue. We are working toward building an inclusive, equitable, and resilient community for all who live, work, and play here.

Essential Functions

Note: This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The list of essential functions below does not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent in this position.

Project Management: Manages implementation of various planning related projects according to departmental work plan, with moderate to light supervision.

Staff Support: Provides primary or backup staff support to Town Advisory Boards, committees, and the Town Council.

Development Plan Review: Conducts development plan review using Town of Chapel Hill governing documents and development standards, including Historic District design standards. Works with staff from other departments and organizations as part of Technical Review Team.

Data Research and Analysis: Gathers planning-related data and prepares analysis for staff review as directed by supervisor.

Report Preparation and Presentation: Evaluates data and prepares plans and reports for distribution and presentation to the Council, Advisory Boards, Town departments, State Historic Preservation Office, and the general public.

Customer Service and Community Engagement: Provides planning information as needed to community stakeholders, development applicants, and others. Engages community stakeholders and the general public in planning initiatives to share information and solicit input.

Knowledge Of

• Principles and practices of planning, zoning, historic preservation, land use and/or inspection
• Town's land use related regulations and design standards
• Federal, state, and local laws, including those that address sites with historic designations
  
  

Ability To

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers, stakeholders, and supervisors
• Read and interpret ordinances, statutes, plans, maps, and blueprints
• Read and understand development and planning related documents, technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents
• Develop presentations and present information in a public setting
• Plan, organize, manage, and carry out multiple projects effectively and simultaneously
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Meet deadlines
• Follow policies and procedures of the Town and the Planning Department Model behaviors that are consistent with our value of RESPECT
• Promote a culture of workplace safety
  
  

Supervision Exercised

None

Physical Demands

The work may require periodic lifting, stooping, bending, pushing and pulling, as well as occasional walking in or around construction sites.

Work Environment

The work is typically performed in an office environment, but will also require some offsite meetings and site visits.

Minimum Qualifications

A candidate for this position may be at a level of qualifications such that the initial offer is for a Planner II, Senior Planner, or Principal Planner position. Preference is given to candidates with historic preservation work experience or education. However, candidates willing to pursue historic preservation skill-building will also be considered.

Planner II: Minimum qualifications include a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning or a related field and two years of professional work experience, or equivalent.

Senior Planner: Minimum qualifications include a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning or a related field and four years of professional work experience, or equivalent.

Principal Planner: Minimum qualifications include a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning or a related field and seven years of increasingly responsible work experience, or equivalent.

For any of the positions above, the Town will consider any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this job. This could include, but is not limited to, attainment of a bachelor’s degree with additional relevant work experience.

FLSA: Exempt- Flexible work arrangements and work from home are at the discretion of the department.

Supplemental Information

A valid NC driver's license is preferred for this position due to meetings, outreach, and event participation. However, ability to transport oneself efficiently locally and regionally without a driver’s license is acceptable.

The Town of Chapel Hill offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to regular full time and part time employees.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is effective the first day of employment. The town will provide full-time employees group medical insurance including family coverage. Employees and the town will share equally in the additional cost of the base plan for dependent coverage if employees desire to purchase such coverage for family members.

Retirement Health Savings Plan

Employees hired after June 30, 2010, in a regular full-time or regular part- time position are required to participate in the Retirement Health Savings Plan. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 1%.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is optional and is paid for by the employee. Coverage for eligible dependents is also available.

Paid Time Off

• Vacation/Annual Leave: Employees in regular full or part time positions earn between 12 and 26 days per year depending upon length of Town service.
• Sick Leave: Employees in full or part time regular positions earn 12 days per year.
• Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees receive 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave after birth or placement of a child in the home for adoption or foster care. This leave does not come from Employee's leave bank.
• Paid Holidays: There are 12 official Town holidays. Employees in full or part time regular positions are eligible for paid holiday time.
• Personal Leave: All employees in full or part time regular positions are granted 3 days of personal leave per year. This leave is non-cumulative
  
  

Local Government Retirement System

All employees in regular full or part time position are required to contribute to the retirement system. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 6%.

Supplemental Retirement Plans

• NC 401(k)-The Town makes a contribution of 5% to the 401(k) for all regular full and part time employees. There is no employee match required. Employees have the option of making contributions on a pre or post tax basis. The plan is administered by Prudential.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan-Town of Chapel Hill employees have the option of making contributions to a 457. The Town does not make contributions to this plan. The plan is administered by ICMA.
  
  

Disability Insurance

• Town Provided: The Town provides both short term and long term disability insurance to all regular full or part time employees. The plan will pay up to 50% of the employee's base income for non-job related injuries.
• Voluntary Short Term Disability: Employees have the option of purchasing supplemental disability insurance. This plan will pay employees a maximum of 25% of their base weekly earnings up to $400.
  
  

Life Insurance

The Town provides full and part time regular employees with an individual term life insurance policy. Employees have the option of purchasing additional life insurance for a small fee. Dependent life insurance is also available.

Direct Deposit

All employees hired after July 1, 2007 are required to have direct deposit.

Other Benefits

• Credit Union: Employees of the Town of Chapel Hill are eligible to open accounts at the Local Government Federal Credit Union.
• Parking is provided free of charge at or near worksites
• Annual longevity payment beginning with the 5th year of full or part time regular employment
• Tuition assistance is available upon completion of the initial probationary period
• Town has a Housing Assistance Program that assists employees secure housing in Town see the following https://www.chapelhillaffordablehousing.org/employee-housing
  
  

01

Briefly describe your experience with development plan review, city and regional planning, or any related fields such as landscape architecture, architecture, or urban design.

02

Briefly describe any experience you have staffing governmental or non-profit advisory boards or committees.

03

Briefly describe any experience you have with project management.

04

Briefly describe your approaches to community engagement, providing customer service, and/or working with diverse community stakeholders.

05

The hiring range for this position is $54,661- $75,700. If offered the position, would you accept a salary within this range?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question