Senior Urban Planner

Senior Planner Position

The City of Spartanburg is seeking a motivated, collaborative, civic-minded professional to contribute to our expanding Planning Department. The individual in this role will have the opportunity to help shape the future of a city on the rise. Spartanburg is in the midst of an exciting transformation, with more than $800 million in public and private investment downtown creating new energy, new places, and new possibilities throughout the community. This is a chance to be part of that momentum—to bring ideas forward, build meaningful partnerships, and help shape a city that is more connected, vibrant, and welcoming.

As part of a dedicated team, the Senior Planner plays a central role in planning, zoning, and development initiatives that shape Spartanburg's future. The position supports implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, administration of the Zoning Ordinance (currently being updated), and special development projects, while serving as a liaison to one of the City's four planning boards.

Distinguishing Features of the Duties

Success in this role depends on building strong relationships and communicating effectively with residents, City departments, and colleagues while actively contributing to a collaborative Planning team.

The Senior Planner works with broad direction from the Planning Director and is expected to exercise independent judgment, initiative, and professional discretion. The ideal candidate is proactive and self-directed, able to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, develop solutions, and move projects forward. The position is primarily office-based.

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.
• 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 zoning and 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.
• Collaborates across the Planning team and City departments to communicate project information, coordinate development reviews, and advance shared community priorities.
• Performs other duties and special projects consistent with the role and the City's planning and community development goals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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 they relate 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, or Urban Design.
• Four (4) - Five (5) years of considerable land 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.