Planning Director

Town of Mills River (population 7,400) – Best of both worlds – rural small-town feel and near urban amenities, charming western North Carolina town is seeking a Planning
Director.  Mills River was established as a community in the late 1700’s and incorporated in June, 2003. The Town lies within minutes of Pisgah National Forest, Interstate 26, and Asheville Regional Airport. Highways 280 and 191 serve as the major arteries and provide access to the nearby cities of Hendersonville, Asheville, and Brevard.
Mills River is 22 square miles in size, has a strong tax base, and a rich history of agriculture. Several major economic development projects have located in Mills River in recent years. Sierra Nevada Brewery, Bold Rock Hard Cider, Burning Blush Brewery, and Mills River Brewery all call Mills River home.

Primary duties of this position include long range planning, community development, and zoning administration. In 2019 the Town began developing a comprehensive plan – Making Mills River. This is the highest priority of the incoming Planning Director. Other projects include developing the Town’s geographic information system and updating the Town’s code for compliance with recent 160D changes.

The successful candidate for this position will have five to seven years of municipal planning experience and a Bachelor’s degree in planning, geography, or related field. A
Master’s degree in planning, public administration, or related field and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is strongly preferred. The Town offers a competitive benefit package including 100% employee premium coverage for health, vision, dental, 401(k) contribution (5%), and 457(b) savings options.

Please submit completed applications to:
Daniel Cobb, Town Manager
Town of Mills River
124 Town Center Drive
Mills River, NC 28759

Deadline for submission: July 17, 2020
A cover letter, résumé, and professional references may be submitted in addition to (not in lieu of) a completed employment application.
To view the full job description and download an application please visit www.millsriver.org/jobs.