Planner

The City-County Planning Department helps plan and direct Durham’s vision for growth that supports a high quality of life, a robust economy and a sustainable, inclusive, 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 and community planning challenges. If you’re talented, creative and focused on customer service, join our team! 

This position is devoted to professional urban planning services for the City and/or regional organizations including land use planning, development review, parks and open space planning, and historic preservation.

Responsible for providing technical assistance and information to customers; attending meetings and serving as a representative of the City; facilitating meetings of citizen groups and stakeholders and/or providing staff support; researching and compiling information and producing maps, graphic and narrative reports; reviewing development proposals for compliance; and coordinating with regional planning organizations and federal/state agencies.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Performs professional planning duties to include conducting analyses, making recommendations on planning and development issues, conducting research studies, coordinating development review processes, conducting property assessments, conducting case reviews, investigating complaints, and identifying ordinance violations.
• Prepares, maintains, reviews, and/or approves graphic, narrative, and other reports, development proposals, plans/plats, maps, articles, and other documents; approves and issues certifications; prepares and makes presentations; maintains records and databases; researches and analyzes information; develops and makes recommendations; and ensures compliance with applicable ordinances, codes, policies, and procedures.
• Coordinates with customers, regional planning organizations, and federal or state agencies, or City departments; attends community forums; participates, conducts, or leads meetings; provides technical assistance; represents the City’s policies and procedures to developers and other interested parties; responds to inquiries; mentors staff; and participates in negotiations.
• Reviewing development plans and ensuring that development regulations are met.
• Assisting applicants with the development review process.
• Coordinating and tracking projects as they are routed through the development review process.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, or a directly related field or equivalent.
• Two years of professional planning experience in the area of assignment.

Additional Preferred Skills:

• Master’s Degree in planning, engineering, or a directly related field.