Job Summary:

The City of Raleigh is looking for a motivated planner to join our Site Team within the Planning and Development Department’s Current Planning group. This position involves advanced professional planning work and serves as a key contact for development activities in the City. You’ll apply your skills and expertise to provide excellent service and ensure compliance with the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The Site Team reviews a variety of project types, such as subdivisions, commercial and mixed-use developments, and high visibility projects throughout the City. The Site Team also supports the Design Review Commission. The Design Review Commission conducts evidentiary hearings on design alternate requests and provides guidance and recommendations regarding the visual quality of the City. If you’re looking for a role where you can make an impact and work with a collaborative, dynamic team, this opportunity is for you.

About You:

You’re a self-motivated planning professional with at least three years of progressively responsible experience in the field, preferably with experience conducting regulatory plan reviews. You have a passion for public service and thrive in environments where you can use your knowledge and interpersonal skills to educate and support others. You’ll work as part of a cross-discipline team to effectuate responsible land-use regulations while delivering excellent customer service to a variety of stakeholders. You are detail-oriented, organized, and analytical, with an interest in organizational excellence and process improvements that enable us to do our jobs more effectively. You are skilled at managing and prioritizing multiple projects and competing deadlines. The ideal candidate is a lifelong learner, passionate about the development process and working collaboratively to achieve the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders.

About Us:  

The Planning and Development Department is tasked with guiding development in the City of Raleigh, supporting responsible and sustainable growth. The Site Team is a unit of the Current Planning group responsible for administering the Unified Development Ordinance and other related regulations and programs, ensuring development within the City adheres to applicable policies and regulations. The team also provides staff support to the Design Review Commission. As part of the team you’ll enjoy a supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to contribute to shaping Raleigh’s future. The Site Team works closely with the other teams in the Planning and Development Department and other City departments involved with planning and development. The team is led by a Planning Supervisor and is composed of four Senior Planners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Evaluate projects to ensure compliance with the City’s Unified Development Ordinance
• Examples of development projects you can expect to review include: subdivisions, commercial and mixed-use developments, apartment communities, high-rise buildings, non-residential building permits, and design alternate applications
• Oversee and guide the progression of projects through the development review process, from initial submission to the issuance of permits
• Act as the main contact for residents, developers, design professionals, and City staff, facilitating effective communication, collaboration, and providing excellent service for all stakeholders
• Provide staff support to the Design Review Commission, such as review of design alternate applications, preparation of staff reports, and presentations to the Commission
• Prepare and communicate technical information to various stakeholders
• Evaluate and maintain processes to enhance development review, supporting innovative solutions, streamline operations to better serve the community, and ensure responsiveness in all interactions
• Lead and manage special projects, such as department business plan initiatives, as assigned

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, or directly related field, plus 3 years of related professional planning experience

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

AICP certification is preferred but not required

Our ideal candidate will be available to start in July

Knowledge of:

• Planning principles, practices, and techniques
• Principles and practices of project management, organization, and prioritizing work
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis
• Principles and techniques of effective writing
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations
• Customer service principles
• Best practices, trends, and emerging technologies including modern office technology and specialized equipment relevant to area of assignment

Skill In:

• Expertise in implementation and adherence to laws, codes, and regulations relevant to planning and development
• Strong project management and organizational skills, ability to coordinate deadlines, prioritize work volume, and manage competing responsibilities
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills, including fostering and maintaining positive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, receiving work direction, and communicating technical information to technical and non-technical audiences
• Practice sound judgement, and be comfortable gathering data, analyzing findings and applying logic and reason to make informed decisions in complex situations
• Competently author original reports, technical documents, and presentations
• Proficiency with modern office technology and specialized software applications

Closing Date: Friday May 16, 2025 at 11:59pm Eastern