About us: Planning and Community Development is broken down into five divisions: Community Development, GIS, Inspections, Long-Range Planning, and Zoning and Subdivisions.
What you will do: This position in the City of Burlington’s Planning Department serves to provide technical assistance and customer service to the general public, property owners, builders, real estate agents, developers, and others who inquire about all types of development in the City. This position will be responsible for the daily management of planning’s permitting activity in the City and the ETJ, as well as potential assistance with processing permits within the City's Local Historic Districts, assisting with the Planning and Zoning Commission, and successfully operating in an open collaborative team environment.
Online Permitting Management:Utilizes the City’s online permitting portal, BurlingtonSmart, to manage permitting activities, reporting, and monitoring.
Ordinance Interpretation & Enforcement:Assists in interpreting and enforcing the Burlington Unified Development Ordinance and the City’s Code of Ordinances, collaborating with the Code Enforcement Division as necessary.
Development Community Liaison:Acts as the primary point of contact for developers, the public, and City staff on land use and zoning-related matters.
Permit and Plan Review:Reviews planning permits, site plans, construction documents, and subdivisions for completeness, ensuring they meet ordinance requirements and guidelines.
Regulation Explanation:Clearly communicates land use regulations based on precedence and established principles to the public and stakeholders.
Guidance for Property Development:Assists property owners and developers in navigating the process of property development, including compliance with rules for subdivision.
Research and Field Investigations:Conducts detailed research and field investigations to support land use decisions and planning initiatives.
Development Review Leadership:Leads the development review process, including the Technical Review Committee, Pre-Application Conferences, and coordination with the Planning and Zoning Commission to ensure procedures are properly conducted.
Innovative Approaches to Permitting:Develops new strategies for improving the permitting and development review process.
Professional Representation:Represents the City and Department professionally in all interactions with stakeholders.
Additional Duties:Performs other related tasks as needed, including attending evening meetings when necessary.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Planning & Zoning Knowledge:Strong understanding of planning principles, land use regulations, zoning administration, and research techniques.
Familiarity with NC Statutes:In-depth understanding of North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 160D and its application to statewide planning practices.
Land Use & Subdivision Mastery:Extensive knowledge of land use development, subdivision processes, and regulatory enforcement practices.
Tech Savvy in Design & Mapping:Well-versed in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Earth, and Bluebeam, essential for planning, mapping, and design tasks.
GIS Proficiency:Skilled in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), capable of creating detailed maps and spatial analysis as requested.
Innovative Problem-Solving:Creative and resourceful in solving complex, less-defined problems by gathering and analyzing relevant data.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in planning, public administration, or a related field.
2 - 3 years experience in planning, zoning, or equivalent in a municipal agency including internships or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special Requirements:
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or ability to obtain within two years.
Certified Zoning Official (CZO) certification through the North Carolina Association of Zoning officials or ability to obtain within two years.
Valid North Carolina Driver License, or ability to obtain within 60 days after date of hire.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in planning, public administration, or a related field with 2-3 years experience.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Work in this class is described as being sedentary and seldom requires much physical exertion to complete tasks.
Work typically involves the ability to physically perform the basic life operational functions of reaching, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
Work necessitates visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned in preparing and analyzing figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal viewing and extensive reading.
Working conditions include inside environmental conditions.
This job description in no way implies that the duties listed are the only ones the employee may be required to perform. The employee is expected to perform other tasks, duties, and training as requested by their supervisors.
