Senior Planner

Senior Planner

The City of Spartanburg is seeking a motivated planning professional to join its growing Planning Department. Spartanburg is at an exciting point in its evolution. The city is experiencing a period where public and private investment is reshaping downtown and creating opportunities across the community. This role provides the opportunity to collaborate with a dedicated team on long-range planning initiatives, support thoughtful growth, and advance the City's vision.

As part of a dedicated team, this role will play a central role in a broad range of planning, zoning, and development initiatives. The Senior Planner will be instrumental in advancing the strategic vision outlined in the City's 2023 Comprehensive Plan and ensuring that Code Spartanburg, the current zoning code update, aligns with the plan's goals and priorities.

The Senior Planner will partner with the Planning Director to advance departmental goals while independently managing project responsibilities. Some current efforts include the zoning code rewrite, updates and optimization of planning processes, review of historic district guidelines; as well as a variety of signature projects in the core of downtown, and supporting neighborhood and corridor enhancements.

Examples of Essential Work

• Leads planning projects that advance City Council priorities and the City Manager's Work Program, including research, analysis, recommendations, and reports on complex planning issues.
• Shapes new development by reviewing development proposals, providing professional planning expertise, and working with applicants, property owners, and partners to navigate the development process.
• Supports City initiatives by providing in-house planning expertise, technical guidance, and recommendations for City development initiatives to inform project decisions.
• Applies and advances the City's planning framework by interpreting the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan, reviewing development and subdivision proposals, rezonings, and public projects, and making recommendations that support sound planning and community goals.
• Engages neighborhoods and the community in planning initiatives, redevelopment efforts, and ordinance updates that help shape the future of Spartanburg.
• Leads pre-application and development coordination , bringing together applicants, staff, and other stakeholders to identify issues, explore solutions, and move projects forward.
• Provides trusted planning guidance to residents, applicants, City staff, and community partners, resolving questions and interpreting planning policies with sound professional judgment.
• Represents the Planning Department at Planning Commission meetings and public forums, presenting recommendations and helping facilitate constructive community dialogue.

Skills & Strengths

• Possess a creative, solution-focused approach to work.
• Demonstrated experience in current planning principles, practices, and their applicability.
• 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.
• Comprehensive knowledge of local government political processes and operations related to planning and development processes.
• Experience conducting planning studies and presenting recommendations and findings.
• Experience presenting to planning boards.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)

Education

• Master's degree in planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design or related field
• Three (3) - Five (5) years of focused 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:

• A member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
• Strong graphic skills (computer and/or hand)

Starting salary is $75,500 annually or higher depending on qualifications and experience.

If you're looking for professional growth and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful transformative planning initiatives, we invite you to apply for the Senior Planner position with our team.