Senior Planner

City of Durham; Durham (AR); On-site; USD 73,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Durham is seeking a Senior Planner to advance Durham’s Comprehensive Plan through small area plans and long-range projects. You will perform complex analyses, prepare reports, and present recommendations to diverse audiences.

The role requires a relevant degree and five years of urban planning experience; GIS skills and AICP certification are valued. Join a team focused on sustainable growth, equitable services, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Five years of professional urban planning experience.
• AICP certification preferred.
• Master’s degree in planning, engineering, or related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages large land-use and master planning processes as assigned; ensures adherence to schedules and budgets.
• Conducts advanced professional analyses; develops recommendations on planning issues; coordinates development review operations.
• Prepares, maintains, reviews, and approves reports, plans/plats, permits, maps, and other documents; conducts complex presentations; maintains records and databases.
• Coordinates with customers, regional planning organizations, and agencies; attends forums/hearings; engages in public outreach; represents the City’s planning function.

Skills

GIS proficiency

Urban planning

Policy analysis

Public engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, or related field

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Posting number: 26-06122

Department: Planning & Development

Job classification: Senior Planner

Posting type: Open

Categories: Planning and Development, Professional, Project Management

Summary

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Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham

Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

Hiring Range: $72,731.00-$87,277.20

Work Day/Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm

A flexible work environment, top-notch management, highly qualified, competent staff and opportunities for career advancement and professional success make the Planning & Development Department a great place to work. We help plan and direct Durham’s growth to support a high quality of life, a robust economy, and a sustainable, equitable, and accessible Durham for generations to come. We work collaboratively with other agencies and the community in a fast- paced, innovative environment looking for solutions to today’s land-use, community planning, and infrastructure challenges. If you’re talented, creative and focused on serving the community, join our team!

This position is devoted to professional urban planning services for Durham and/or regional organizations. This position is focused on the implementation of Durham’s Comprehensive Plan through the creation of small area plans and/or other long range planning projects; this position shall be expected to perform advanced professional analyses and provide recommendations; prepare and present graphic and narrative reports; ensure effective and efficient project management; coordinate with regional planning organizations and federal/state agencies; give presentations to a diverse range of audiences; and other duties as assigned.

Examples of duties

• Manages large land-use and master planning processes as assigned; and ensures adherence to project schedules and budgets.
• Conducts advanced professional analyses; develops and makes recommendations on planning and development issues, including regulatory and policy-related recommendations; conducts research studies; coordinates development review operations; may oversee property inspections and identification of ordinance violations.
• Prepares, maintains, reviews, and/or approves graphic, narrative, and other reports, development proposals, plans/plats, permits, maps, articles, applications, and other documents; approves and issues certifications and notices; prepares and conducts complex presentations to diverse audiences; maintains records, websites, and databases; researches, reviews and analyzes data; develops and makes recommendations; and ensures compliance with applicable ordinances, codes, policies, and procedures.
• Coordinates with customers, regional planning organizations, federal or state agencies, and other City/County departments; attends community forums and hearings; participates in or leads meetings; plans and implements public engagement and outreach events; provides technical assistance; addresses escalated issues and responds to inquiries; and serves as a representative of the City/County and the planning function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, or a directly related field OR equivalent experience.
• Five years of professional urban planning experience.

Supplemental information

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.
• Master’s degree in planning, engineering, or a directly related field is preferred.
• Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and/or other data visualization techniques.