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Project Planner - Land Use Administration

Description
Performs intermediate skilled technical work completing reports and researching projects, reviewing and analyzing zoning inquiries, reviewing development plans, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Land Use Coordinator. 

Examples of Duties
  • Analyzes rezoning, Final Development Plan, and Special Use Permit petitions and prepares staff reports and recommendations for the City-County Planning Board.
  • Reviews commercial development applications, sign permit applications, and grading/erosion control permit applications for compliance with the development ordinances of Forsyth County, Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Lewisville, and Walkertown and communicates the status of applications with applicants and staff.
  • Receives and analyzes zoning inquiries from external and internal sources including contractors, architects, engineers, the general public, zoning inspectors, the City and County Attorneys, and City and County management related to changes of use, interpreting the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO), inspection procedures, permitting, and development project status.
  • Prepares staff reports and presentations, collects field data, and reviews site plans for agenda items before the Boards of Adjustment for Forsyth County, Winston-Salem, Clemmons, and Lewisville.
  • Participates in interdepartmental review meetings with City and County staff and planners in other jurisdictions.
  • Completes ordinance amendments as assigned: researches and analyzes existing ordinances or similar ordinances in peer cities; identifies stakeholders and best practices; leads stakeholder meetings and facilitates discussions as needed; and presents draft amendments to elected/appointed boards.
  • Manages daily phone calls, e-mails, and walk-in inquiries that often require additional review and research, prioritizing and responding to each in a timely manner.
  • Represents the department at various meetings with citizens, business interests, and elected/appointed officials as necessary.
  • Manages projects to execute Planning and Development Services key work program items as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience: 
Bachelor’s degree with coursework in planning, geography, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, or related field and considerable experience with planning and development principles and regulations, public outreach and engagement, presentations, and reading and interpreting development ordinances. Significant experience working in a large organization or municipal government is desirable. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 
Knowledge of City policies and procedures;
Knowledge of the principles and practice of public planning;
Knowledge of federal, state and local development regulations and processes, including thorough knowledge of and the ability to enforce multiple local development ordinances;
Excellent writing and public speaking skills;
Advanced skill in using the Microsoft Office Suite and position-specific software;
Ability to read and interpret site plans and compare them with construction in progress;
Ability to respond effectively to inquiries and complaints and solve complex problems; and
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers and members of the public.

Physical Requirements:
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force. Work regularly requires using hands to handle or feel and frequently requires sitting, speaking, or hearing. Work occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Work has standard vision requirements, and vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using measuring devices, operating motor vehicles, and observing general surroundings and activities. Work is generally performed in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Supplemental Information

Special Requirements
Certified Zoning Official (CZO) or equivalent or ability to obtain within two (2) years of hire date
Valid driver's license in the State of North Carolina

Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree specializing in planning, geography, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, or related field
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or other specialized certification related to planning, architecture, landscape architecture, or public administration