Senior Planner

Salary : $65,095.67 - $85,339.90 Annually
Location : Jacksonville, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: Senior Planner August 2026
Department: PLANNING
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 8/25/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


Job Description


Performs difficult technical and administrative work in the administration of the Onslow County Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Onslow County Comprehensive Plan, and related codes or work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the supervision of the Planning Administrator.

Our core values-Resilience, Excellence, Accountability, Customer Service, and Honesty -are the foundation of our work and the standard by which we operate. As a member of our team, you are expected to demonstrate these values in every aspect of your role. This means delivering high-quality work, taking responsibility for your actions, providing exceptional service, and maintaining integrity in all interactions. Your commitment to these principles is essential to fostering a positive workplace culture and ensuring the success of our organization and the community we serve.

Position Responsibilities

• Supervision
  • Facilitates a safe work environment where employees are treated with respect, dignity, and compassion.

• Supervises, evaluates, and trains the Planners under the direction and supervision of the Planning Administrator.
• Assists in reviews and attends meetings with the Planners to ensure quality control and excellent customer service.
• Coordinates the training of the Planners under the supervision of the Planning Administrator from the direction given by the Director.
• Provides quality control and supervision of the Planner's evaluation and review of site plans, subdivision plans, and issuance of zoning permits or subdivision approvals.
• Long Range Planning and Ordinance Amendments
  • Conducts detailed analysis and develops reports to include recommendations on complex or technical land use topics to include the use of ESRI products.
  • Conducts detailed analysis and develops memorandums to include recommendations on the Onslow County's Comprehensive Plan implementation and updates, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Ordinance.
  • Coordinates with the Senior Zoning and Environmental Officer on updating the Onslow County Solid Waste Ordinance and Minimum Housing Ordinance.
• Application Review
  • Reviews zoning permit applications and all site plan types for accuracy and compliance with the Onslow County Zoning Ordinance, adopted plans and ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal regulation.
  • Reviews subdivision or development proposals or plans for accuracy and compliance with the Onslow County Subdivision Ordinance, adopted plans and ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal regulation.
  • Reviews project or application proposals for consistency with the Onslow County Comprehensive Plan.
  • Facilitates the Technical Review Committee monthly meeting, distributes meeting materials, and coordinates TRC member attendance.
• Public Engagement
  • Responds to citizen, contractors, builders, and/or developer questions regarding the Onslow County Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance.
  • Assists the Planning Administrator in the preparation of meeting materials, public notifications, staff reports, presentations, and board materials for the Onslow County Planning Board.
  • Facilitates public outreach and engagement to citizens and groups through providing public education, workshops, and presentations in coordination with the Land Use Administrator and/or Director.
  • Develops strong and positive rapport with community partners and Technical Review Committee partners in coordination with Department Leadership.
• Additional Functions
  • Performs assigned functions as a Disaster Ready Team (DRT) member, if assigned or volunteered.
  • Performs related tasks as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications


Thorough knowledge of the following:

• Onslow County Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, and the Onslow County Comprehensive Plan;
• Methods and procedures used in planning, coastal planning, and urban development;
• North Carolina General Statute as it relates to land use and development regulations;
• Public engagement and public relations best management practices and strategies.

Thorough ability in the following:

• To operate standard office equipment including a personal computer and applicable office productivity software;
• To analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports;
• To interpret various rules and regulations;
• To read and interpret plans;
• To maintain effective working relationships with employees, property owners, citizens, contractors, and other departments or agencies;
• To prepare and present oral or written reports;
• To facilitate meetings;

Physical Requirements:
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires standing, walking, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; no special vocal communication skills are required; no special hearing perception is required; this work does not require any specialized sensory utilization; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a very quiet location (e.g. park trail, storage or file room).

Education, Experience, and Special Requirements


Bachelor's degree with coursework in Planning, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, or related field and at least two years of experience, or equivalent combination of experience and education.


1 to 2 years of supervisory experience is preferred

Special Requirements:

• Valid driver's license.

• Certified Zoning Official (CZO) and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred.

Salary will be determined based on qualifications, internal equity, budget, and market considerations.

If applicable, your final transcript showing the date your degree was awarded and/or any required certificates or licenses listed in the application must be uploaded with your application, even if you are a current employee or we have received it with a previous application.
Regular Onslow County employees have the ability to participate in a wide array of employee benefits including:

Health Insurance
Health Insurance is provided by Cigna and covers a wide variety of healthcare services.


Dental Insurance
Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental to full-time employees and covers a percentage of basic to major dental procedures, including orthodontia for children and adults.

Vision Insurance
Vision insurance is provided by MetLife to full-time employees and covers a variety of materials (contacts and glasses frames/lenses) and an annual eye exam.

North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System
Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the retirement system and must contribute 6% of their gross salary each pay period. Once eligibility requirements are met, employees will be able to receive monthly payments for life based on their salary, age, and years of service credit.

NC401k
The County contributes 1% of employees' gross salary into the 401(k) account regardless of the employee's deferral amount. In addition, the County matches employee deferrals up to an additional 4%.

Vacation Leave
Regular full-time employees earn 13.5 days of vacation leave per year. With each 5-year increment of employment, vacation accrual increases.


Sick Leave
Regular full-time employees earn 12 days of sick leave per year.


Paid Holidays
County employees receive paid holidays annually. The Board of County Commissioners approves and may adjust the schedule as deemed necessary.

ComPsych Mental Health Services
The County provides Mental Health and Life Services through ComPsych to help employees and their families with personal, family and job-related problems such as counseling, crisis support, work-life resources, legal and financial consultations, and organizational support tools.

Supplemental Benefits
County employees are also offered a variety of supplemental benefits such as Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, 457b Deferred Compensation Plan, and MetLife Supplemental Plans.

For more information, please visit and click on the Benefits tab.
01


Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate
• None of the above

02


Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

03


Based on your review of the position requirements, are you able to perform the position duties with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

04


Have you uploaded your final transcript showing the date that your degree was awarded and any required certificates or licenses? This must be done even if you are a current employee or we have received it with a previous application.

• Yes
• No

05


How much experience do you have in planning and development?

• None
• 6 months or less
• 6 months to 2 years
• 2 years to 5 years
• 5 years or more

06


Onslow County's Core Values are REACH (Resilience, Excellence, Accountability, Customer Service, Honesty). Which value resonates most with you and why? How would you exemplify this value in your position?
Required Question