Senior Planner

City of Spartanburg•Spartanburg, SC

19d

About The Position

The City of Spartanburg is seeking a motivated planning professional to join its growing Planning Department. The City is experiencing public and private investment that is reshaping downtown and creating opportunities across the community. The Senior Planner collaborates with the planning team on long-range planning initiatives, supports thoughtful growth, and advances the City’s vision. The Senior Planner manages and advances current and long-range planning projects, conducts research and analysis, develops recommendations, and coordinates planning initiatives. The role interprets and applies zoning regulations, evaluates development proposals, prepares plans and reports, and works with City departments, stakeholders, and the public to guide land use, support responsible growth, and implement City planning goals. Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with site visits and community meetings as needed.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, or a related field.
Three to five years of focused planning, architecture, or related experience, or an equivalent combination of experience and training providing the necessary 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.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, with strong public speaking and presentation skills.
Ability to develop and facilitate effective working relationships within the organization and externally.
Ability to objectively analyze data and identify and interpret applicable ordinances and other land-use directives.
Ability to perform a wide variety of duties accurately and quickly under time-sensitive deadlines.
Ability and willingness to quickly learn and apply new skills and knowledge in response to changing information or technology.
Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in performing assigned tasks.
Must possess or be able to obtain a valid South Carolina driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide in-house planning expertise, technical guidance, and recommendations for City-led development initiatives.
Advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the public on City development policies, regulations, and standards.
Manage reviews of annexations and complex development projects, including master plans and mixed-use, commercial, and residential projects.
Support interpretation and administration of the City’s Zoning Ordinance for development plan reviews, public project reviews, and rezonings, and make recommendations.
Participate in neighborhood planning with the public; draft and implement redevelopment amendments and development ordinances.
Coordinate and facilitate application and pre-application processes, verify application requirements, and facilitate related meetings.
Coordinate the Planning Commission agenda, monitor agendas, coordinate publication of agendas and public notices, review draft meeting minutes, and coordinate preparation of documents and correspondence.
Advise and inform the public about current issues, findings, and recommendations involving development reviews, enforcement activities, zoning issues, and City planning activities.
Participate in Capital Improvement Program projects and in planning, analysis, and development of infrastructure projects such as roads, parks, and pathways; coordinate public project development activities.
Act as team leader on various interdepartmental teams.
Communicate regularly and facilitate effective working relationships to improve interdepartmental effectiveness and efficiency and build cooperation.
Maintain regular attendance consistent with the assigned schedule.
Perform other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the job description.