Senior Planner

City of Hickory; Hickory (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Hickory seeks a Senior Planner to assist with planning and development activities, providing guidance to developers and ensuring compliance with zoning and land use regulations.

The role involves meeting with stakeholders, preparing studies, supporting advisory committees, and coordinating with city staff on grants and special projects.

Strong GIS skills, public presentation ability, and knowledge of state laws are essential; a driver’s license and relevant certifications preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, Geography, Public Administration or closely related field.
• Three to five years of local government planning experience.
• Knowledge of planning, zoning, land use, development, and historic preservation.
• Knowledge of long-range, neighborhood, and comprehensive planning.
• Knowledge of GIS and ability to use it.
• Ability to learn ordinances and land use regulations.
• Knowledge of state laws and regulations.
• Skill in performing planning functions and public presentations.
• Proficiency with PC and software (word processing, presentations, GIS, databases).
• Good organization, prioritization, and data analysis skills.
• Ability to read and interpret development plans.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience level: 3-5 years in a similar role.
• Possession of or ability to attain AICP and CZO certifications.

Responsibilities

• Provides customer service and information on regulatory matters.
• Reviews site plans for zoning compliance and building occupancy changes.
• Presents analysis and recommendations on rezonings and development petitions.
• Supports City advisory committees, boards and neighborhood associations.
• Presents findings to Hickory Regional Planning Commission and others.
• Collaborates on subdivision, planned developments and site plans reviews.
• Identifies and seeks grant funding for projects.
• Contributes to special planning studies and comprehensive planning.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Skills

Public presentations

Public and interpersonal relations

Organizational skills

Data analysis

Reading and interpreting development

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning, Geography, Public Administration or closely related field

Tools

GIS

Word processing

Presentation software

Database software

Job description

Posting number: 200-01310

Department: Planning

Job classification: Senior Planner

Posting type: Open

Categories: Planning and Development

Summary

This position is responsible for assisting with the administration of planning and development activities for the City.

Examples of duties

• Provides customer service; provides information regarding regulatory matters.
• Meets with developers and property owners to provide guidance and advice regarding standards and procedures; reviews and approves commercial and residential building site plans for compliance with zoning ordinances; reviews zoning compliance applications for existing buildings that change occupant or use; reviews signage permits, and related duties.
• Conducts staff reports and preparation of analysis and recommendations regarding rezoning, special uses and other development related petitions and requests.
• Provides staff support to various City appointed advisory committees, boards and neighborhood associations.
• Presents analysis and recommendations to the Hickory Regional Planning Commission, Hickory Board of Adjustment and other relevant bodies.
• Provides collaborative review input regarding property subdivision, planned developments, and site plans.
• Identifies and secures appropriate grant funding.
• Work on special projects including planning studies, neighborhood planning, and comprehensive planning.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, Geography, Public Administration or closely related field.
• Three to five years of local government planning experience.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, zoning, land use, development, and historic preservation.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of long-range planning, neighborhood planning, and comprehensive planning.
• Knowledge of and ability to use GIS.
• Abiltiy to learn and become familiar with the City's ordinances and land use regulations.
• Knowledge of relevant state laws and regulations.
• Skill in performing planning functions.
• Skill in preparing and presenting public presentations.
• Skill in the use of a personal computer and word processing, presentation software, geographic information system, database software systems, and office equipment.
• Skill in organization and prioritizing work.
• Skill in collecting and analyzing data.
• Skill in reading and interpreting development plans.
• Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position: having had a similar position for three to five years.
• Possession of or ability to attain AICP and CZO certifications.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license, issued by the State of North Carolina.

Supplemental information

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Planning Director or Planning Manager assigns work in terms of general instruction. Completed work is spot-checked for compliance with procedures, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

GUIDELINES: To include relevant state and federal laws, the Land Development Code, other City Master Plans, and accepted planning practices. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied planning duties. The need to be sensitive to political factors and legal issues contribute to the complexity of the work.

SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to perform planning duties in support of the City of Hickory. Successful performance enhances the orderly growth and economic development of the city.

PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, real estate agents and developers, engineers, architects, contractors, city officials and department heads, business representatives, building inspectors, industry professionals, attorneys, other planners, and the general public.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give and exchange information, provide services, resolve problems, motivate or influence persons, and justify or defend matters.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while sitting, standing, or bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects and must distinguish between shades of color.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office and occasionally outdoors in cold or inclement weather.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: None.