Principal Planner

Role Description

The City of Raleigh is seeking a collaborative, solutions-oriented professional to serve as a Principal Planner specializing in permitting solutions within the Raleigh Planning and Development Department. This position plays a central role in guiding permit applications and development plans through the review lifecycle, helping move projects efficiently from intake to approval while maintaining a strong commitment to customer service and regulatory integrity.

In this role, you will act as a key liaison for applicants, residents, design professionals, reviewers, and City staff. You’ll coordinate across departments, help resolve issues, and translate complex technical and regulatory information into clear, actionable guidance for applicants navigating the development review and permitting process. The Principal Planner balances customer needs with organizational priorities, triages inquiries and escalations, and works proactively to identify challenges early so they can be addressed effectively.

You’ll also contribute to continuous improvement by analyzing permit activity/trends and leading initiatives that enhance processes and service delivery. A key part of the work also includes evaluating projects for consistency with the Unified Development Ordinance and related codes.

The Principal Planner will supervise two Senior Permit Advocates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies, Transportation or a related field
• 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible experience in a lead or supervisory capacity related to urban, land use, or regional planning
• Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted

Requirements

• Knowledge of planning and land development principles, practices, and techniques including those related to construction, transportation, public utilities, and natural resources
• Public administration best practices
• Principles and practices of project management and organization
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis
• Principles and techniques of effective writing
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations
• Customer service principles
• Planning related technologies such as GIS, CRM, and permitting systems/software
• Research methods and sources of information related to urban growth and development
• Recent development, current literature and sources of information related to municipal planning administration
• Best practices in community engagement and survey design
• Principles and practices of program administration and management
• Principles and methods of qualitative and quantitative research
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques

Benefits

• Supportive work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Chance to contribute to shaping Raleigh’s future

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise two Senior Permit Advocates
• Monitor permit activity and provide targeted support for select or stalled development applications
• Work across disciplines to expedite the approval of projects that are a City priority and/or are close to completion
• Triage and manage inquiries and escalations while balancing customer needs with regulatory requirements and organizational priorities
• Coordinate across departments to facilitate issue resolution and help applicants achieve compliance with applicable regulations
• Serve as a liaison for applicants, residents, design professionals, reviewers, and City staff
• Analyze permit activity and performance trends to recommend process improvements and support special initiatives
• Review projects for consistency with the City’s Unified Development Ordinance and other codes

ADA and Other Requirements

• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time
• Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment
• Employees may occasionally work in an outdoor environment or in a vehicle
• Employees in this role will occasionally interact with individuals who are hostile or irate

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.