Planner II

Summit Design and Engineering Services is seeking an experienced Planner II. This position is a newly created position for our North Carolina branch and can be located in one of our North Carolina offices. This position will serve as a comprehensive and feasibility planner and project manager for future-oriented planning projects including Comprehensive Plans for location governments, Feasibility Studies for adaptive reuse and new construction projects, primarily sponsored by local government and grand funding. We are looking for someone who is a self-starter and who has a strong desire to develop and building client relationships.

Responsibilities:

• Establish strong working relationships with locality staff and elected leaders, and as needed, their constituents. Develop a community engagement plan, prepare, and assist with the logistics of community surveys
• Engage in a partnering relationship with all project stakeholders and yet be able to make decisions and act independently to resolve routine project issues.
• Research, compile, and present (in writing and in person) the demographics and other community and economic data as needed to inform and develop future plans.
• Perform land use surveys and surveys of other planning factors and assist the Planning Department’s GIS technician in developing the required Comprehensive Plan maps.
• Assist local leadership in developing clear and precise policies, goals, and strategies for consideration by the local planning commission and governing body.
• Perform feasibility studies by performing market analysis, determining marketable uses, delineating current building conditions and work with project architect to plan physical improvements.
• In cooperation with a project architect, develop a budget for constructing and equipping the planned adaptive reuse or new building including sources of potential funding appropriate to the project.
• Perform economic development studies and strategies including Downtown Revitalization and Economic Restructuring Plans and Area-Wide Economic Development Strategies and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS).
• Research and compile data that indicate the economic impact of a project, the anticipated tax revenue that may flow from a project, and the cost of local government services associated with the existence and/or ongoing operation of a project.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies or related discipline.
• A minimum five years of experience in Comprehensive Planning, Economic Development Planning, and/or Feasibility Studies.
• The ability to develop a customized approach to each comprehensive plan, feasibility study, or other project; to determine, research, compile, and analyze the data needed to assist project proponents with their decision-making; and to communicate in writing and verbally the import of the data as related to the purpose and goals of a project.
• Proficient in using a computer, Microsoft Office software, and file sharing programs, with an emphasis on the use of Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management skills.
• Must have the ability to bend, stoop, kneel and twist, use hands to grasp and arms to reach, to raise hands above head, to sit, climb and balance and to work in confined spaces and heights with adequate vision to perform tasks.
• Ability to work outside in various weather conditions on occasion.
• Must be willing to travel up to 40%.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable motor vehicle record.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Preferred Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.
• AICP certification.

Company Overview: Summit Design and Engineering Services is a multi-disciplined design and engineering services firm. Established in 1997 and operating as Summit since 2004, we are a compact engineering and design firm structured to adapt quickly and offer clients the most current technology, innovative design solutions and comprehensive project management for turn-key delivery. We know that one size rarely fits all. That’s why we look at the individual needs of every project and match it with our proven technical expertise and experience. We are headquartered in Hillsborough, North Carolina, with other offices in Raleigh, Asheville, Fayetteville, Pittsboro, Charlotte, and Wilmington.Summit also has offices in Richmond, Franklinand South Boston, Virginia; Fort Mill, South Carolina and St. Petersburg, Florida. For the past six years we have been named one of the fastest growing companies in the Research Triangle area.

Why Work for Summit?

We foster a caring and collaborative work environment that also encourages commitment to the communities that we serve, our employees and clients will succeed together. We strive to be integral to the success of the communities we build. We maintain a close-knit team culture where we measure our success by the success of our people and clients. We can help you take your career to the next level!