Senior Planner

Planning Department Professional

The City of Spartanburg seeks a motivated, collaborative, civic-minded professional to contribute to our expanding Planning Department. The individual in this role will have the unique chance to join the city at an exciting moment in its evolution. A combination of public and private investment downtown is spurring the regeneration of the city's physical realm and economic opportunities throughout the city.

Salary: $67,500.00 Annually

Location: Spartanburg, SC

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 090926

Opening Date: 09/09/2026

Closing Date: 9/30/2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Examples of Duties:

• Implements City Council goals and the City Manager's Work Program while acting as Project Manager for the research, analysis and report preparation for complex planning issues.
• Reviews development plans and provides feedback and expertise on planning; assists applicants, owners, and others through permitting and applications; disseminates information and communicates extensively through the process of planning and development.
• Interprets and administers provisions of the City's Zoning Ordinance as related to development plan review, subdivision reviews, public project reviews, and rezonings, and other planning issues in accordance with City, State, and Federal regulations and the Zoning Ordinance, and makes appropriate recommendations.
• Participates in neighborhood planning efforts with the public; drafts and implements redevelopment amendments and development ordinances.
• Coordinates and facilitates the application and pre-application process to include overseeing and setting conference appointments, maintain related computerized information, and verifying application requirements and facilitating application and pre-application meetings, makes decisions and clarifies issues according to the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan and answers inquiries from community or other City employees in a timely manner.
• Serves as coordinator for the Planning Commission agenda; reviews and monitors agendas; coordinates the publication of agenda and public notices in the media; reviews draft meeting minutes; coordinates the preparation of documents and correspondence.
• Advises and informs the public regarding current issues, findings, and recommendations related to development reviews, enforcement activities, zoning issues, and City planning activities.
• Participates in Capital Improvement Program projects; participates in planning, analysis, and development of infrastructure projects such as roads, parks, and pathways; coordinates activities of public project development.
• Presents proposals to Planning Commission; facilities public meetings; performs site inspections, provide updates and progress reports; monitors construction by performing routine field inspections.
• Acts as Team Leader on various interdepartmental teams.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, to include present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Communicates regularly and facilities effective working relationships with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities and build cooperation.
• Demonstrates regular attendance consistent with assigned schedule.
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the job description.

Typical Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in current planning principles, practices, and their applicability.
• Comprehensive knowledge of fundamental development codes, ordinances, and zoning enforcement.
• Comprehensive knowledge of local government political processes and operations as it relates to planning and development process.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to develop and facilitate effective working relationships inside the organization and externally.
• Ability to objectively analyze data and to identify and interpret applicable ordinances and other land use directives.
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Acceptable Experience and Training:

• Master's Degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design.
• Five (5) years of considerable planning, architecture, or related experience; or
• Any combination of experience and training, which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid S.C. driver's license.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong presentation skills
• Graphic skills (computer and/or hand)
• A member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
• CNU Certification
• LEED Certification

Supplemental Information:

Essential Physical Abilities:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which enables the employee to communicate effectively.
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which enables the employee to review a wide variety of materials in electronic or printed form.
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which enables the employee to operate a personal computer, telephone, and other related equipment.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which enable the employee to efficiently function in a general office and field environment.

Salary depends on upon experience and qualifications. Starting salary is $67,500 annually.

The City of Spartanburg provides a very competitive benefits package to include, Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life benefits are through the SC State Health Plan and access to free onsite health clinic. Retirement through the SC State Retirement System (Employee contributes 9% and the City contributes 18.56% / PORS: police/fire employees contribute 9.75% and City contributes 21.24%) City also offers 12 Paid Holidays; Paid Time Off (3 ½ weeks per year) and Longevity Leave based on years of service.