Planning Specialist

Position Description

Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve. Hiring Range: $53,272.00 - $64,766.00 Work Day/Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm A flexible work environment, top-notch management, highly qualified, competent staff and opportunities for career advancement and professional success make the Planning & Development Department a great place to work. We help plan and direct Durham's growth to support a high quality of life, a robust economy, and a sustainable, equitable, and accessible Durham for generations to come. We work collaboratively with other agencies and the community in a fast-paced, innovative environment looking for solutions to today's land-use, community planning, and infrastructure challenges. If you're talented, creative and focused on serving the community, join our team!

The Planning Specialist is a regular, non-exempt, full-time position housed within Durham's Planning and Development Department Customer Service team. This position is responsible for review of various types of zoning permits and maintaining in-person coverage of the Planning and Development counter for customer inquiries. This position will require extensive interaction with customers, handling inquiries regarding ordinance regulations (Durham's Unified Development Ordinance), applications, and general planning and development inquiries. Work may also include acting as back-up for other development approvals issued by the team; generating periodic reports; and related special projects. A hybrid work schedule may be available in accordance with City policy; however, the expectation is primarily to be in-person due to the responsibilities of this position. Work is performed via computer and cloud services. Successful candidates must have prior experience with web-based applications and virtual communication platforms such as Zoom, Teams, Sharepoint, and Outlook, and must be willing and able to perform daily work within departmental databases and software applications. Prior urban planning, customer service, building inspection, and/or local government work is desirable, as well as experience reading tax maps and property records. Training and mentoring will be provided with respect to the application of zoning and development regulations. The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude towards customers, be able to provide clear, timely, and thorough responses to inquiries, and have some familiarity with zoning and site planning principals and construction. This person will effectively manage tasks, adhere to deadlines, foster productive working relationships, solve problems proactively, and provide exceptional customer service.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Customer service is a primary responsibility. Interacts and coordinates with developers, citizens, engineers, architects, attorneys, and City departments, and/or external agencies to provide or receive information, respond to inquiries, and provide technical assistance.
• Prepares, maintains, submits, and/or reviews reports and publications; collects and maintains related information; reviews planning and development applications; updates and maintains databases; and reviews work for accuracy and completeness.
• Assists with projects by training staff on development tracking processes; assists with preparing development project documentation and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Associate's degree in planning, landscape architecture, construction or related field OR equivalent experience.
• Two years of customer service experience.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Experience reviewing permits and applications.
• Fluency in speaking Spanish.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, building trades, or related field.
• One year of full-time work experience in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, building trades, or related field.
• One year of full-time local government work experience.
• Interest obtaining AICP certification.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and web-based GIS mapping and analysis software.
• Ability to interpret plat maps, plot plans, land surveys, or similar maps and drawings.

Benefits – General Full-Time Employees

• 12-13 paid holidays per year
• 13 standard work days of vacation per year
• 13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
• 2 weeks paid military leave per year
• Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
• State and City retirement plans
• Short and long term disability plans
• Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
• City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
• Paid funeral leave
• Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
• Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
• 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
• 4 hours parental leave each year
• Workman's Compensation Insurance
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

Benefits Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan

Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
• Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
• Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
• Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service

City of Durham