Senior Planner- Long Range

The City of Wilson is seeking a Senior Planner in the Planning & Community Revitalization Department.  This is a great opportunity to work on a variety of new initiatives both in corridor planning, neighborhoods and downtown. Wilson offers competitive salary and benefits. A City of Wilson Online application is required to apply.

This position performs technical and professional planning duties in support of the department. Successful performance facilitates and promotes well-planned city development and growth. The work consists of varied administrative and professional duties. The unique nature of the work contributes to the complexity of the work. Depending on departmental and city needs, position may specialize in a variety of long range planning and development areas, such as urban design, architectural and landscape design, transportation/transit, local food systems, downtown and corridor development, brownfields, environmental/natural resource, infrastructure, and community empowerment.

Job Number: 201800251

• Assists in updating and implementing comprehensive plan and other applicable plans
• Manage projects, programs, and initiatives, which are at times complex and high profile, with sound technical expertise, good political judgement and ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders and interests
• Interprets and applies applicable federal, state, county, and local codes, ordinances and regulations
• Conducts extensive research in specific or general project areas
• Assists in the development of area and corridor development or redevelopment plans and their implementation
• Assists in the development of design plans for corridors and small areas
• Identifies community problems, issues, and opportunities in particular geographic areas or neighborhoods that could be mitigated through better community planning and implementation
• Develops strategies to promote economic and community development or efficient land use consistent with community goals
• Writes and presents formal and technical plans, reports, working papers, and correspondence
• Recommends priorities, schedules, and funding sources to plans, projects, programs, and initiatives
• Assists in writing some ordinances and regulations relating to development or redevelopment
• Assists in management of consultants to projects, programs, and initiatives
• Provides staff supports to one or more citizen boards, which help comprehensive plan and other plan implementation
• Assists in composing and presenting studies, findings, and reports of citizen boards and special programs, projects, and initiatives
• Provide internal and external communications support to help the organization and community regarding city and departmental plans, programs, projects, and initiatives
• Attends various professional, committee, board, and community meetings representing the department and city on long range planning issues
• Seeks funding for projects, programs and initiatives, by writing grant applications, managing grants obtained, including grant reporting
• Maintains accurate files and records
• Performs other tasks and projects as assigned

Supervisory/Management Responsibility:

• This position provides project, program and initiative management oversight

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a master’s degree in a course of study related to the occupational field
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the work to be able to answer questions and resolve problems, usually associated with one to three years’ experience or service
• AICP Certification is preferred
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment

Skills/Knowledge/Ability Requirements:

• Well-developed knowledge of city planning principles and practices
• Knowledge of, or experience in, community growth and redevelopment, and relevant state & federal programs
• Knowledge of principles, methodology, and practices of research and data collection
• Statistical knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office suite, Internet applications, various design related software packages, database management, ESRI suite of applications, and/or GIS
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to interact with various stakeholders
• Strong writing skills for plan and proposal development
• Effective skills in planning, organizing, decision making, and multi-tasking
• Creative planning and problem-solving skills
• Ability to review development plans and ensure compatibility with local plans, ordinances, and codes
• Group facilitation skills and skill working with local stakeholder groups
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed
• Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind
• Knowledge of local, state and federal codes, laws and regulations

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table, or while intermittently sitting, standing, or walking
• The employee occasionally lifts light objects
• The work is typically performed in an office and occasionally outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather