Principal Planner (Salary commensurate with experience)

CITY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH; Ocean Drive Beach (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, seeks a Planning Director to lead the planning program under limited supervision. The role develops analyses and recommendations on planning and development issues, and presents reports to the Planning Commission and City Council.

The incumbent supervises planning activities, advances land use legislation, and coordinates with the Director of Planning & Development and other city staff to implement the Comprehensive Plan and Beach Management Plan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in City and/or Regional Planning or Geography or Landscape Architecture.
• Six (6) years of experience in municipal planning.
• Professional certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Two (2) years management / supervisory experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Develops the regularly scheduled Planning Commission agendas and associated staff reports, analyses, and recommendations.
• Schedules meetings and attends all workshops and meetings.
• Oversees reports and presentations brought before the Planning Commission by staff.
• Prepares budget requests for consulting assistance for the Director’s review.
• Oversees the Comprehensive Plan elements and zoning regulations revisions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Public policy knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in City and/or Regional Planning, Geography, or Landscape Architecture

Six years of municipal planning experience

AICP certification

Two years management / supervisory experience

Job description

Under limited supervision, manages the City’s planning program. Performs planning and technical duties associated with program development and supervision. Prepares professional analyses and recommendations on various planning and development issues. Researches, prepares, and presents reports to Planning Commission and management staff; prepares reports for City Council as directed by the Director of Planning & Development. Supervises planning activities including subdivision review and development of land use legislation.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in City and/or Regional Planning, or Geography or Landscape Architecture.
• Six (6) years of experience in municipal planning.
• Professional certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Two (2) years management / supervisory experience (preferred).
• The City retains the right to determine equivalencies. Any certifications not possessed at hire, must be obtained before the employee is removed from probation in order to continue employment with the City.

Must be physically able to operate a variety of related machines and equipment including a computer, printer, fax, phone system, copier, etc. Must be able to exert up to five pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but work may involve walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, etc. for brief periods of time. Must be able to lift/carry weights of five pounds.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Is responsible for the development of the regularly scheduled Planning Commission agendas and all associated staff reports, analyses, and recommendations.

Schedules meetings, notifies media and attends all workshops and meetings.

Supervises development of all reports and presentations brought before the Planning Commission by other staff.

Prepares written reports and issue papers on items forwarded from the Planning Commission for consideration by City Council.

Develops ordinances for zoning amendments (map and text), Planned Development District (PDD) regulations, annexations, and other land use legislation.

Attends City Council workshops/meetings and provides technical informationor presentations to Council as requested by the Director.

Prepares budget requests for consulting assistance for the Director’s review in advance of the annual budget retreat.

Supervises various long-term projects such as revising, adopting, and implementing Comprehensive Plan elements, reviewing zoning map designations for conformity with Comprehensive Plan recommendations, developing and revising Beach Management Plan, preparing revisions to subdivision and zoning regulations, and other research and planning development activities.

Reviews plats for compliance with subdivision regulations and presentation to Planning Commission.

Stamps plats certifying they comply with subdivision regulations for recording in Horry County records.

Develops and maintains file system of approved plats within the City.

Develops annual work program for Planning Division and provides technical support for related City Council presentations as requested by the Director.

Provides annexation information to interested parties; develops pre-annexation agreements as needed; presents requests to Planning Commission and provides technical support for City Council consideration as requested by the Director; conducts research for use in verifying boundaries and identifying areas to target for future annexation efforts.

Reviews site plans and other development proposals for design and conformance to subdivision and PDD requirements, compliance with the Comprehensive Plan, and provides professional recommendations.

Supervises assigned staff members. Oversees progress of professional consulting firms under contract. Oversees all activities of the municipal planning commission, including compliance with SC Planning Enabling Legislation.

Interacts and communicates with departmental supervisors and employees, department heads and employees, City Manager, Planning Commission, Director of Planning and Development, Board of Zoning Appeals, Mayor, City Council, City Engineer, City Attorney, and other City department heads and employees.

Acts as representative for the City at various required planning efforts when needed.

Punctual, regular, and reliable attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at the City of North Myrtle Beach.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs related duties as required.

All employees of the municipality shall learn the emergency operations procedures for their respective department and position and execute these duties fully during times of emergency. This may or may not include assignment to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).