Senior Planner

The City of Spartanburg is seeking a motivated planning professional to join its growing Planning Department. Spartanburg is at an exciting point in its evolution. The city is experiencing a period where public and private investment is reshaping downtown and creating opportunities across the community. This role provides the opportunity to collaborate with a dedicated team on long-range planning initiatives, support thoughtful growth, and advance the City’s vision.

• Advises architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the public on City development policies, regulations, and standards.
• Manages the review of annexations and complex development projects including master plans, mixed-use, commercial, and residential projects.
• Supports the Planning Team with interpretation and administration of the City’s Zoning Ordinance as related to development plan review, public project reviews, and rezonings, and makes appropriate recommendations.
• Participates in neighborhood planning efforts with the public; drafts and implements redevelopment amendments and development ordinances. 
• Coordinates and facilitates the application and pre-application process to include verifying application requirements and facilitating application and pre-application meetings.
• Serves as coordinator for the Planning Commission agenda; reviews and monitors agendas; coordinates with administrative staff the publication of agenda and public notices in the media; reviews draft meeting minutes; coordinates the preparation of documents and correspondence. 
• Advises and informs the public regarding current issues, findings, and recommendations related to development reviews, enforcement activities, zoning issues, and City planning activities.
• Participates in Capital Improvement Program projects; participates in planning, analysis, and development of infrastructure projects such as roads, parks, and pathways; coordinates activities of public project development.
• Acts as Team Leader on various interdepartmental teams.
• Communicates regularly and facilitates effective working relationships with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities and build cooperation.
• Demonstrates regular attendance consistent with assigned schedule.
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the job description.

• 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 it relates to planning and development process.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to develop and facilitate effective working relationships inside the organization and externally. 
• Ability to objectively analyze data and to identify and interpret applicable ordinances and other land use directives.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

• Master’s Degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design or related field
• Three (3) - Five (5) years of focused planning, architecture, or related experience; OR
• Any combination of experience and training, which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• Demonstrated experience in current planning principles, practices, and their applicability.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid S.C. driver’s license.
• A member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred.