Principal Planner

Principal Planner

The Town of Clayton is seeking applicants for a Principal Planner for the Planning Department. The Town of Clayton employs more than 340 full-time staff in areas including police, fire, and electric utilities. The Town of Clayton also offers a range of PT positions including positions in Parks & Rec, Library, and Cultural Arts.

The Town of Clayton is the fastest growing town in Johnston County, which is the fastest growing county in the State of North Carolina. The vision for the Town of Clayton includes a thriving town where growth contributes to the quality of life enjoyed by long-time residents and newcomers alike; easy access but with an atmosphere that feels smaller than it is; a system of parks and greenways that connect people and places; neighborhoods with a variety of quality living options; a town that offers opportunities for people to live, create, shop and eat; a bustling and historic downtown, and businesses that are successful, growing, and investing in the community.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Principal Planner – Long Range/Comprehensive Planning performs advanced professional planning work focused on comprehensive planning, policy development, small area plans, ordinance/UDO modernization, and implementation of adopted plans and community priorities. This position leads complex planning projects, manages consultant contracts, coordinates across departments and external agencies, and serves as a technical resource on land use, growth management, housing, transportation, sustainability, and community engagement. Work involves independent judgment, initiative, and frequent interaction with elected officials, appointed boards, community stakeholders, and regional/state partners.

Long Range and Comprehensive Planning

• Leads and manages updates to the jurisdiction's comprehensive plan and associated subarea/small area plans, including project scoping, work programs, schedules, deliverables, and public engagement strategies.
• Develops long-range policy recommendations related to land use, transportation, housing, economic development, environment, infrastructure, and community facilities.
• Translates plan policies into actionable implementation items, performance metrics, and annual work plans; monitors progress and prepares periodic implementation reports.

Ordinance and Policy Development

• Leads or supports updates to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), zoning regulations, and related manuals/policies to implement adopted plans and comply with North Carolina law.
• Drafts ordinance text amendments, staff reports, and supporting analyses; coordinates internal technical review and facilitates interdepartmental alignment.
• Reviews and interprets local ordinances, adopted plans, and applicable state statutes to provide clear policy guidance.

Research, Data Analysis, and Mapping

• Conducts demographic, land use, market, housing, transportation, and development trend analysis; prepares projections and scenario evaluations.
• Develops and maintains long-range planning datasets and maps in coordination with GIS; prepares dashboards, graphics, and public-facing materials.

Project Management and Consultant Oversight

• Manages consultant contracts for planning studies and plan updates, including procurement support, scope refinement, budget tracking, and quality control of deliverables.
• Prepares grant applications and reporting (as assigned); supports funding and partnership coordination for long-range initiatives.

Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Coordination

• Designs and facilitates public engagement (workshops, open houses, charrettes, surveys, stakeholder interviews) consistent with equitable outreach practices.
• Represents the department at meetings with boards/commissions, elected officials, community groups, and regional/state agencies (e.g., CAMPO, NCDOT, Johnston County partners).
• Prepares and presents technical information to Planning Board, Town/City Council, and other boards; responds to public inquiries with professionalism and clarity.

Leadership and Department Support

• Serves as a technical lead and mentor to planning staff; may direct work assignments for project teams and review work products for quality and consistency.
• Supports departmental performance goals, customer service standards, and continuous improvement of planning processes and templates.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Special Requirements, Education & Experience

Knowledge

• Principles and practices of comprehensive planning, land use law, zoning, and development regulations in North Carolina.
• Community engagement methods, including inclusive/equitable outreach and facilitation techniques.
• Urban design and placemaking concepts; transportation/land use integration; housing policy and neighborhood planning.
• Research methods, demographic/economic analysis, and interpretation of planning data.
• Local government functions, board processes, public administration practices, and professional ethics.

Skills

• Advanced technical writing and editing (staff reports, plan chapters, ordinance text, grant applications, policy memos).
• Project management, including scopes, schedules, budgets, consultant coordination, and deliverable review.
• Public speaking and presentation skills for boards, elected officials, and community audiences.
• Analytical skills using spreadsheets and planning tools; ability to develop clear visuals, charts, and maps.
• Collaboration and coordination across departments and partner agencies.

Abilities

• Apply independent judgment to complex planning issues and balance competing priorities and stakeholder perspectives.
• Interpret and explain ordinances, plans, and policy recommendations to diverse audiences.
• Facilitate meetings and public engagement events; build consensus while maintaining neutrality and professionalism.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and maintain high-quality work products.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, leadership, boards, applicants/consultants, and the public.
• Use standard office software (Microsoft 365) and planning-related tools; ability to work with GIS staff and/or use GIS software as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Geography, Public Administration, or a closely related major field and 5 years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, including substantial long-range/comprehensive planning work;
• AICP certification or ability to obtain within 12–24 months of hire.
• North Carlina Certified Zoning Official (CZO) or ability to obtain within 12–24 months of hire.
• Experience in North Carolina local government, including preparation of staff reports for boards/council, managing consultant-led plan updates, and drafting ordinance/UDO amendments.
• Proficiency with GIS concepts and coordination, and strong data visualization skills.

OR

Depending on the position, the Town may consider an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.