Sr. Planner (Planner II)

Guilford County; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Guilford County seeks a Senior Planner (Planner II) to manage projects within the Planning and Development Department. This role involves research, public presentations, and collaboration on various initiatives, requiring attention to detail and a strong background in planning principles. Ideal candidates will have a Master's or Bachelor's degree in a relevant field along with professional experience in planning activities.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Planning or related field plus 2 years experience.
• BA in Planning requires 4 years experience.
• Preferred: AICP certification or ability to obtain within a year.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects and conduct research on policies and best practices.
• Prepare documentation and present to public and officials.
• Coordinate reviews of development applications.

Skills

Knowledge of County planning principles

Attention to detail

Research methodology

Excellent communication skills

GIS analysis

Education

Master's degree in Planning

BA in Planning

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Guilford County is looking for a talented Senior Planner (Planner II) to join our Planning and Development Department. As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for managing projects, researching existing policies and best practices, and preparing recommendations for elected/appointed officials. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, including project management, public presentation, and stakeholder engagement. You will also have the chance to collaborate with other departments and community members, as well as represent the department at various meetings.

Performs a variety of technical functions within the Planning Section in administering the regulations for subdivision, plat, and site plans based on the Unified Development Ordinance. Work also involves the preparation, update, and implementation of Area Plans or Town Plans and the various elements of the Comprehensive Plan.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class is responsible for interpreting and carrying out policies and procedures related to the County’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The position is characterized by major public contact functions and acts as a liaison between the Planning and Zoning Section, County departments, and the general public. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Planning and Development Director, Deputy Director, or the Planning Section Manager. The Planner II performs general oversight of the work of a Planner I; however, the Planner II does not have supervisory authority over personnel. The position involves the preparation, presentation, and implementation of certain components of Area Plans and Town Plans through rezoning and/or other special projects. Makes presentations to the public and various boards on the Comprehensive Plan, Area and Town plans, major public policy initiatives or other specific work products as assigned. Overall, this position is responsible for performing multiple tasks with high attention to detail .

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinates the review of subdivision plats, rezoning, and other development applications as assigned.
• Reviews plats and site plans for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with the UDO and answers questions from the general public concerning these items.
• Interprets zoning and land use laws, rules, and policies based on the UDO and state statutes.
• Prepares ordinance revisions and amendments.
• Advises property owners, developers, engineers, and surveyors on procedures, principles, solutions, and alternatives for development, based on the provisions of the UDO.
• Consults with other departments and agencies, as necessary, and follows approval procedures for release of plats and site plans.
• Receives, reviews, and files financial guarantees for plats and site plans.
• Researches plat and site histories by examining GIS aerial photos, case files, and soil surveys, as well as watershed regulations, erosion control guidelines, road standards and other related regulations.
• Applies County development regulations to subdivision plat and site plan reviews and assesses how municipal development regulations may impact them.
• Maintains plat and site plan records and enters them into the digital land development permit management system.
• Provides trend analysis for population count and socio-economic conditions for Area Plans and Town Plans.
• Provides trend analysis of land uses and environmental features for Area Plans and Town Plans.
• Forecasts and develops future land uses with consideration for natural resources for Area Plans and Town Plans
• Prepares an Area Plan, Town Plan or similar plan, and presents it in a public forum.
• Serves as primary contact on Area Plan or Town Plan and meets with citizens and property owners to discuss plan elements.
• Prepares Technical Review Committee (TRC) agenda cases and presents them along with any Planning-related comments to the TRC.
• Prepares letters and memos to applicants to convey comments on plats and site plans.
• Signs and approves final plats for recordation and serves as a certified Map Review Officer.
• Composes letters to applicants regarding TRC review comments and Planning Board decisions for subdivisions, site plans, rezoning, and other development plan applications.
• Prepares cases for Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and /or Historic Preservation Commission agenda items and assists in review and preparation of the agenda and meeting information packet.
• Attends evening Board meetings and presents staff reports, as necessary.
• Reviews rezoning applications and discusses review procedures with applicants.
• Maintains rezoning file folders and all related documents.

RECRUITMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of County planning as they pertain to the design and development of urban and regional areas, planning research, and zoning and subdivision activities.
• Keen attention to detail in the preparation of documents and carrying out work processes.
• Considerable knowledge of the County Charter and the various ordinances, codes and regulations pertaining to planning, zoning, and subdivision activities.
• Considerable knowledge of research methodology and of standard statistical procedures.
• Ability to plan, organize, manage, and carry out complex research projects effectively.
• Excellent record-keeping and document-organization skills.
• Ability to present the results of research effectively in oral, written, and graphic form.
• Considerable knowledge of the techniques required in the preparation of maps, charts, sketches and complex graphics.
• Ability to coordinate the work of a small group of professional, technical, and clerical personnel engaged in routine County planning, zoning and subdivision review work and specific assignments/tasks.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, subordinates, and municipal officials through excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Considerable working knowledge of personal computers and software suites as well as demonstrated ability to use them effectively in daily work.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Master's degree in Planning, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field and two years professional experience, preferably working with legal descriptions, deeds, plats, surveys, easements, site plans, landscape plans, and two or more area plans; OR

BA in Planning Engineering, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field and four years of professional experience, preferably working with legal descriptions, deeds, plats, surveys, easements, site plans, landscape plans, and two or more area plans.

Special Requirements

Successful prior completion of courses/training related to development ordinances, property mapping, land subdivision and/or land use zoning. Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred, or ability to obtain within one year.

Transcript Required
Copy of transcripts must be submitted with online application. Official college transcripts required at time of hire. Please send transcripts to:

Guilford County/HR c/o
Albert Parks III, 201 South Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401 or attach a copy to your online application.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

Physical activities may include but are not limited to climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and respective motions. The types of activities are associated with driving to a construction site and performing visual and physical inspection of the work in progress.

May Require Driving

This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver’s license and that the driving record is compatible with the county’s driving criteria.

If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County’s vehicle use policy.

Special Note:

This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with a physical abilities checklist which provides further details about that specific position. Those documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.