Planner II - Long-Range Planning Specialist

*Cover letter and Resume are Required.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

An employee in this class performs responsible journey level planning work in a variety of long-range planning efforts. Work includes tasks such as residential and commercial plans review and processing; coordinating and managing transit projects, participating in the Technical Review Committee; research and design; long range and special project coordination and assistance; and providing input into the revision of the Unified Development Ordinance. Other duties include supervision of interns, land use planning, assisting citizens and developers with various issues, and providing staff assistance to Town Council and various advisory boards. Work involves considerable research, public contact often in sensitive or emotional issues requiring judgment, firmness, and tact. The role also includes developing a favorable relationship between the Town and the community. Work is supervised by the Senior Planner  or Planning Manager and is evaluated through conferences, review of work results obtained, and overall acceptance of the programs by the Town's leadership and its citizens.

A SAMPLE OF THE ESSENTIALS:

• Completes research, synthesizes information, and conducts analysis to inform long-range plan implementation, transit planning, and ordinance updates related to long-range plans.
• Prepares annual reports to document and share progress on long-range planning efforts.
• Plans, coordinates, and participates in public workshops, charrettes, stakeholder interviews, and meetings to provide education, explain planning proposals, gather community input, and answer questions.
• Serves as staff support or the Town’s representative on boards and committees that may include: the Town’s Transit Advisory Committee, the Community Engagement subcommittee associated with the regional Transit Planning Advisory Committee (TPAC), the Town’s Special Events Committee, and ad hoc planning advisory committees associated with active planning efforts.
• Serves as the customer service point of contact for GoApex, under the guidance of the Senior Planner.
• Prepares communication pieces, including email distributions and website updates, for long-range planning efforts and transit services.
• Manages a contact database for all long-range planning outreach.
• Carries out community engagement in support of regional planning efforts, in the interest of the Town of Apex.
• May use visual design tools like Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, or other software to aid in creation of community engagement material and other documents.
• Assists with other special projects as-needed, under the direction of the Long-Range Planning Manager or Senior Planner.
• Performs related duties as required.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

Graduation from a college or university with a bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, geography, landscape architecture, or closely related field and moderate level of professional experience in public sector planning; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Possession of or ability to obtain AICP Certification within one year.

WITH...

• Thorough knowledge of the Town's zoning, land use, and other ordinances and codes.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of community and economic development and public sector planning and assigned planning area (current, long-range, transit).
• Considerable knowledge of governmental laws, programs, and services pertinent to the community and economic development and planning processes.
• Considerable knowledge of GIS systems as they relate to planning needs.
• Considerable knowledge of the environmental and socio‑economic implications of the planning process.
• Thorough skill in the collection, analysis, and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations.
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less-well-defined practical problems.
• Considerable skill in conflict resolution, meeting facilitation, and public presentations.
• Ability to plan and implement a public engagement process related to job assignment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community groups, federal, state, regional, Town officials, and the general public.
• Ability to enforce codes with firmness and tact.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and studies.
• Ability to express ideas effectively in oral and written forms.

WHO WE ARE:

Known as "The Peak of Good Living", the Town of Apex is a rapidly growing Wake County municipality with a current population of more than 75,000 and was ranked in 2015 as Money Magazine's Best Place to Live in America.  Our current workforce is comprised of over 540 full-time employees and over 125 part-time/seasonal staff.  Our Human Resources Department - with the support and confidence of Town leadership - is committed to providing best-in-class HR programs for our employees, with a mission to create a culture of empowerment and accountability that maximizes individual and organizational potential. We offer a generous benefits package, and have a highly competitive compensation program.  More than that, the Town is an awesome place to work, as evidenced by the 96% job satisfaction rating received in the last employee opinion survey conducted with our employees.

WHAT WE OFFER: 

Not only is the Town "The Peak of Good Living", but it's also a great place to work! We strive to "reach the peak" of being an employer of choice by providing competitive salaries and excellent benefits, including:

·         Paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees

·         5% contributions to the NC401(k) retirement plans (no matching required)

·         Participation in the Local Government Employees' Retirement System (LGERS), 6% contribution by employee

·         Traditional sick and vacation leave

·         80 hours Peak Paid Time Off per year (after completion of probation)

·         $1,200 Peak Lifestyle Benefit to pay for health and wellness activities (after completion of probation)

·         Paid parental, caregiver, and bereavement leave

·         13 paid holidays 

·         Longevity pay

·         Tuition assistance

·         Expansive wellness program, and more!

KEEP IN MIND: 

Providing a safe work environment for our employees is a top priority, therefore all new hires must successfully complete a pre-employment drug test, post-offer functional testing (if required by position), background verifications including references, criminal record and driver's license checks prior to employment. 

The Town of Apex provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation or marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.