SENIOR PLANNER (ALL LEVELS)

SENIOR PLANNER (ALL LEVELS)

Salary

$58,240.00 - $76,793.60 Annually

Location

Cabarrus County, NC

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

FY26-01453

Department

COMMERCE

Opening Date

11/03/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The application review process will take place immediately and continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may close any time after the first review or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Planner - $58,240.00- $69,659.20. Grade 21

Senior Planner - $64,230.40 - $76,793.60. Grade 23

Initial placement for new employees is customarily at entry level through 35% percentile.

General Definition of Work:

Performs difficult professional work in handling a variety of assignments in the Planning Department; does related work as required. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Planning Manager.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions/Typical Tasks:

Preparing graphic materials; conducting research; interpreting zoning and related codes; maintaining records and files; preparing reports; processing development applications; processing subdivision applications; assisting in the preparation of long-range development and improvement plans.

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Researches, analyzes, and reviews subdivision proposals; ensures proposals comply with the subdivision ordinance.
• Uses Accela permitting system to process cases and to issue permits.
• Performs property and other research using multiple computer systems.
• Processes cases for the Planning and Zoning Commission and for the Board of Adjustment (Rezonings, SUPs, Variances, etc.)
• Explains and answers questions related to zoning and subdivision regulations and procedures in person and on the phone.
• Conducts field surveys for rezoning and subdivisions; identifies current land use, surrounding land uses, traffic patterns near site and general development activity of surrounding area for inclusion in staff reports.
• Issues zoning permits.
• Makes public presentations.
• Performs or assists in the development of studies, analyses, and recommendations in connection with the current and long- range physical, social and economic development of the County.
• Gathers, selects, compiles, and analyzes data pertaining to characteristics of the area.
• Analyzes demographic and geographic information regarding population estimation and projections.
• Attends committee, board and other meetings as needed.
• Creates maps and graphs for analysis, demonstration, and publication.
• Researches and assists with composing amendments for zoning ordinance.
• Assigns and looks up addresses using GIS and the Addressor.
• Provides plan, ordinance, and FEMA NFIP map information to customers in person and on the phone.
• Performs property and deed research.
• Serves as primary point of contact for, and performs, site plan review.
• Conducts architectural review when required.
• Prepares reports and supporting graphic display materials descriptive of research and recommendations.
• Serves as mentor to Planner and Planning Intern as needed.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices planning for rural and urban areas; thorough knowledge of current literature and recent developments in the field of planning; thorough knowledge of ordinances and concepts governing zoning and related codes; ability to analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information and to prepare technical reports; ability to prepare and present technical information clearly and in an interesting manner to the public; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and representatives of other agencies; advanced customer services skills including dealing with challenging customers; comfortable making public presentations in small or large group settings, ability to work independently and in group settings, attention to detail a must.

Minimum Education / Experience requirements

Planner Education and Experience:

Requires graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, geography, public administration or related field; some planning experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Knowledge of how to use ArcMap to create maps and perform GIS analysis. AICP certification is preferred.

Senior Planner Education and Experience:

Requires graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, geography, public administration or related field and 3-5 years of planning experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Thorough knowledge of how to use ArcGIS applications to create maps and perform GIS analysis. AICP certification is required. CFM Certification or flood experience preferred. County planning background a plus. Accela experience provides applicant advantage.

Some county job postings indicate that you can qualify with an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If this language is included in the job description, it means you may qualify through either education, your years of directly related experience, or a combination of both.

If you have indicated that you have earned a certificate, diploma, or degree from a technical school, college, or university, please note that Cabarrus County will verify your educational credentials. Official transcripts must clearly show the specific credential awarded to ensure accurate validation.

Special Requirements:

May require possession requires possession of an appropriate valid driver's license. Night meetings required. Includes performing site visits and inspections as needed.

Physical Requirements:

This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; work requires standing, walking, pulling, fingering, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, use of measuring devices, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

Supplemental Information

Supplemental and Contact Information:Cabarrus County selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. Applicants who obtained their education outside of the United States and its territories are expected to assume responsibility for having their academic degrees validated as equivalent to a degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit. "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted.

If multiple applications are submitted to an individual position, only the most recent application received prior to the posting closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Processing applications will take an average of 6 - 8 weeks due to the high volume of applications received. It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the most qualified applicants.

For technical issues with your applications, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at 855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 704-920-2200.

• Earned vacation & sick leave

• 11-12 paid holidays per year

• Floating Holiday

• Paid Personal Day

• Bereavement Leave

• Paid Parental Bonding Leave

• Participation in the Local Government Employees Retirement System

• Mandatory 6% employee contribution

• 5% employer-paid contribution to NC401K, with no employee match required

• Employees have the option to contribute additional monies to the NC401K plan or to a 457 retirement savings plan

• Health Insurance plans

• Consumer driven plan including a health savings account

• PPO Plan

• Optional dependent coverage - employee/spouse, employee/children, & employee/family

• Comprehensive health & wellness program

• On-site exercise equipment & programs

• Health & wellness themed instructional classes

• Employee health clinic

• Employee assistance program (ex. Individual & family counseling, legal & financial services, child & elder care location assistance, etc.)

• Choice of optional dental plans

• PPO (Preferred Provider Option) or non-PPO

• Optional dependent coverage - employee/spouse, employee/children, & employee/family

• Vision Plan

• Includes an annual routine eye exam for individuals on the health insurance plan.

• Optional eyewear plan available

• $20,000 of term life insurance & accidental death & dismemberment coverage with employer-paid premiums

• Employee option for up to $50,000 of additional term life coverage

• Optional dependent life insurance coverage for spouses & children

01

I understand in order to be qualified for this position, the description of my work experience must clearly reflect the required education and experience as well as the posted knowledge, skills and abilities for this position. I have included all of this information within my application. (If you havent completed the application requirements, please return to your application to finish it before submitting your application.) Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit.

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education completed?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

03

Do you have a Valid Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have previous planning experience in a county or rural setting? If so, please briefly describe your experience.

05

How many years of planning experience do you have?

• None
• Less than 6 months
• 1-2 years
• 3-5 years
• 6 years or more

06

Do you possess an AICP certification?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you ever been responsible for subdivision review and processing?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you have experience serving as a site plan review facilitator?

• Yes
• No

09

Have you ever worked in a front-line customer service position?

• Yes
• No

10

Describe your previous or current customer service experience. Include your responsibilities and an example of how you resolved a customer's question or concern. If none, enter N/A.

11

Are you familiar with ArcGIS and how to make maps using ESRI software?

• Yes
• No

12

Describe your proficiency with ArcMap and how you have used it in current or previous roles. Include examples of tasks or projects completed using the software. If none, enter N/A.

13

Do you have experience with Floodplain Development Permitting?

• Yes
• No

14

Describe your experience issuing zoning, building, or floodplain development permits. Specify the types of permits and your responsibilities in the review and issuance process. If none, enter N/A.

15

Do you have any experience with field inspections for commercial sites?

• Yes
• No

16

Have you ever been responsible for drafting reporting and staffing Planning and Zoning Commission meetings?

• Yes
• No

17

Describe your experience working on cases presented to a Planning and Zoning Commission or Board of Adjustment. If none, enter N/A.

18

Are you comfortable with public speaking and making presentations?

• Yes
• No

19

I understand in this role it will include performing site visits and inspections as needed.

• Yes
• No

20

Describe your experience serving as the primary point of contact for the site plan review and approval process. If none, enter N/A.

21

I understand in this role night meetings are required. Are you able to meet this schedule requirement?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Cabarrus County

Address 65 Church St S

Concord, North Carolina, 28025

Phone 704-920-2200

Website http://cabarruscounty.us