The Department of Development seeks qualified candidates to fill two Planner II positions in the Planning Division. The Planning Division values diversity in our workforce. As stated by the Mayor’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, our aim is to reflect the diversity of the citizens that makeup the population of the City of Columbus.

The Planner II positions will focus on neighborhood planning, which may include the following tasks: community engagement and facilitation; development review; data gathering, mapping and analysis; infrastructure coordination; and research and writing.

Candidates should be organized, dependable and detail oriented, and preferred candidates will have the following:

– Strong communication skills: writing, interpersonal, and public speaking.

– Technical skills, including a working knowledge of ArcGIS, Excel, Tableau, etc.

– General knowledge of architecture and urban design, with the ability to review site plans and building elevations.

Minimum qualifications are a master’s degree in urban planning or a related field and one year of related professional experience, or a bachelor’s degree and two years of experience. For more details and to respond to the posting, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/columbusoh/jobs/2645545/planner-ii-vacancy.

Performs intermediate skilled technical work researching and conducting studies related to planning and zoning issues, assisting and providing information to the public, issuing zoning permits, reviewing plans, overseeing planning related committees and boards, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Planning & Inspections Director.

This Stormwater Project Coordinator position will be tasked with developing and implementing an environmental education program for an afterschool program, planning and organizing 3-4 clean-up days in the Cottage Grove neighborhood in Greensboro, leading citizen science water quality monitoring on two unnamed tributaries of South Buffalo Creek, and assisting in development of a tool kit for other communities. The Stormwater Project Coordinator will also assist the PIs in instrument development, data collection, analysis, and report writing.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide program oversight, direction and advanced technical work for the evaluation, administration and implementation of specific programs (i.e. zoning, land use, environmental, transportation, affordable housing, conservation, etc.) and other development related regulations related to planning and development within the County’s Planning Department specifically including floodplain, grant management and long range planning needs.

Reviews and evaluates development plans; interprets and applies applicable ordinances including the Unified Development Ordinance; explains application approval process.
Reviews permit applications; determines compliance with local zoning and subdivision ordinances; issues certificates of zoning compliance and explains decisions; utilizes various enforcement procedures.
Participates in development project review with other City departments and outside agencies; provides comments on projects and plans.
Assists boards with project review and approval including preparing reports, making presentations and making recommendations based on facts and applicable ordinances.
Responds to public inquiries and complaints concerning land use issues; discusses permit requirements; prepares maps, documents and other media for review and use by other departments, outside agencies and the public.
Conducts research on property ownership and assists with oversight of construction for infrastructure projects including easement acquisition, contract negotiation, design details and assisting with compliance with federal and state agencies; notarizes documents.
Conducts research and prepares reports for special projects or special assignments.
Constructs and maintains departmental databases and records; maintains files and records; uses a variety of data to provide information on City land uses and development.
Participates in meetings and public hearings to explain recommendations on planning proposals; answers citizen and developer questions regarding planning and related issues.
Performs related duties as required.

This position performs complex professional work in directing the current and long-range planning
activities for the Town. Assist in the continued improvement to the image of the Town focused on
responsible but progressive growth and development. Assists Town Management with implementing
Town goals, conducting studies and analysis related to community development, developing and
implementing process and policy improvements and related work as apparent or assigned. The position
requires high-level management experience with the ability to work within the Council-Manager form of
local government respecting the honorable positions of elected officials and the responsibilities of the
Town Manager. This position will facilitate high quality economic investments and pursue quality of life
improvements by establishing solid relationships with both the public and private sector.

Employees in this class perform professional planning work in current and long-range planning projects for the County. Employees in this class perform responsible journey level planning work to provide coordinated guidance and regulation of the growth and development of the County and in contracted municipalities.

We are currently seeking a Project Manager in a full-time position to assist the EFC team on multiple environmental finance research projects which could include water, wastewater, stormwater, or energy projects. The Project Manager will support the Project Directors and Senior Project Directors in managing projects funded by grants and contracts, leading workshops and webinars, advising environmental service providers on finance and management topics, and creating financial spreadsheet tools.

An academic background in environmental science, finance or related fields is preferred, as well as 1-2 years of work experience in the environmental finance field.

The School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill works to improve the lives of North Carolinians by engaging in practical scholarship that helps public officials and citizens understand and improve state and local government. As the largest university-based local government training, advisory, and research organization in the United States, the School of Government offers up to 200 courses, webinars, and specialized conferences for more than 12,000 public officials each year. In addition, faculty members annually publish approximately 50 books, manuals, reports, articles, bulletins, and other print and online content related to state and local government. The School is also home to a nationally ranked graduate program in public administration and specialized centers focused on information technology and environmental finance.

The Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the School of Government works to enhance the ability of governments and other organizations to provide environmental programs and services in fair, effective, and financially sustainable ways. The EFC reaches local communities through interactive applied training programs and technical assistance. In an effort to increase the capacity of other organizations to address the financial aspects of environmental protection and service delivery, the EFC does most of its training in a collaborative manner—partnering with established organizations that have environmental but not necessarily financial expertise. In addition to direct community outreach, the EFC works with decision makers to assess the effectiveness of environmental finance policies at a regional or state level and to improve those policies as a way of supporting local efforts.

Reviews new and existing development applications to include subdivision plans, site plans, rezoning applications, special and conditional use permits, variances, and administrative amendments to ensure compliance with the Town’s Unified Development Code, Comprehensive Plan and other long-term plans.
Conducts pre-application meetings with prospective development applicants; actively participates in Technical Review Committee and provides comments on all development plans under review; coordinates with other departments to resolve conflicts or concerns regarding development applications and to ensure consistency among review comments.
Researches and prepares detailed staff reports for decisions by management or boards regarding land use, zoning, housing, and environmental impact.
Presents development applications and staff reports to Planning Board and Town Council including presenting in quasi-judicial hearings; answers questions; informs development applicants of Board decisions.
Prepares legal ads for development applications and prepares notices to adjacent property owners to ensure compliance with state statutes.
Responds to inquires from citizens, developers, engineers and others to answer questions and provide interpretation of Town codes.
Works with other Town staff to improve development process and assists in creating checklists, forms and other internal processes for on-going improvement in the development review process.
Performs final on-site inspections for development projects for new developments to ensure compliance with approved plans.
Researches and prepares ordinance amendments for Town’s Unified Development Code and presents proposed amendments at Town Council meetings.

This Stormwater Project Coordinator position will be tasked with developing and implementing an environmental education program for an afterschool program, planning and organizing 3-4 clean-up days in the Cottage Grove neighborhood in Greensboro, leading citizen science water quality monitoring on two unnamed tributaries of South Buffalo Creek, and assisting in development of a tool kit for other communities. The Stormwater Project Coordinator will also assist the PIs in instrument development, data collection, analysis, and report writing.