Senior Planner (Current Planning)

Senior Planner (Current Planning)

Salary

$77,981.00 - $90,533.00 Annually

Location

950 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale, NC

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

CY26-00022

Department

Development Services

Opening Date

09/23/2026

Max Number of Applicants

100

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Town of Knightdale is seeking a dedicated planning professional to play an important role in shaping the Towns growth and development. The Senior Planner will lead current planning activities and work closely with developers, Town boards, and community members to navigate the development process. The individual in this position will also provide professional planning guidance, prepare recommendations and staff reports for Town Council meetings, and present land use and development matters to Town boards and community groups.

To learn more about the position, see the detailed job description below. A member of our Human Resources team is eager to guide you through the hiring process.

Purpose of Class: Under general supervision of the Development Services Director, performs highly responsible professional municipal planning, zoning, and development functions. This position is classified as non-exempt and is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime regulations.

Primary Tasks:

• Assists with planning, organizing, and coordinating the Towns overall land use and development programs to include current planning activities, including site plan and subdivision review, rezoning and text amendment requests, and construction improvement permits. Oversees permitting for zoning compliance for new businesses.

• Researches issues, and prepares and presents recommendations on various planning studies, including land use, rezoning, and subdivision development.

• Assists with developing, implementing, and administering planning and zoning policies, ordinances, and procedures.

• Assists and works with various boards and community groups.

• Attends regular monthly meetings of the Town Council and Land Use Review Board.

• Attends occasional meetings of community groups.

• Presents to various boards and community groups as needed.

• Gathers information if requested by a board or community group.

• Prepares and presents to the Town Council and the Land Use Review Board staff reports and recommendations, advice, and technical information.

• Makes recommendations to departmental staff concerning changes and amendments to zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations and the zoning map.

• Responds to citizen complaints, questions and requests for information pertaining to development plans and documents.

• Meets with potential developers to discuss the approval process for development in the Town of Knightdale.

• Works with contractors and developers to deliver quality infrastructure to the Town.

• Leads Development Plan Review process including Sketch Plan, Master Plan, and Construction Drawing review processes.

• Reviews progress and quality of work and recommends when payment and bond releases should be made and when completed projects should be accepted by the Town.

• Responsible for holding bonds and letters of credit and ensuring terms are met before expiration.

• Ensures that as-builts are submitted upon completion of project.

• Coordinates activities of the Board of Adjustment function of the Land Use Review Board by administering Variance and Administrative Appeal applications, preparing staff reports, and presenting before the Board of Adjustment.

• Responds to citizen complaints, questions and requests for information pertaining to zoning districts, permitted uses, yard setbacks, sign restrictions and plan reviews.

• Assists in identifying grants and other non-municipal funding sources, preparing grant applications and proposals, and assisting in the administration of grants.

• Maintains a database of current planning projects and coordinates reviews and meetings with the Development Review Committee (DRC).

• Calculates development fees based on the current fiscal year fee schedule.

• Writes legal advertisements for upcoming public hearings based on the guidelines set forth in relevant general statutes.

• Maintains a calendar of online due dates and expiration dates for fees and permits.

• Serves as the primary back-up to the Code Enforcement Officer/Planner positions.

• Performs other duties as required.

Equipment Operated: Calculator, computer, scanner, copier, plotter, telephone, fax, and GIS software.

Reporting relationship: This position reports to the Development Services Director.

Working conditions:

• Employee subject to the hazards associated with field work in site surveys performing planning and zoning activities including both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to loud noises, vibrations, traffic construction site safety issues, electricity and elevated places, chemical fumes, and in close confined quarters.
• Must be able to perform all basic life operational functions.
• Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, visually inspect, read blueprints, use measuring devices, and read extensively.

Job Context: This position works 40 hours per week during the five day workweek. Weekends and overtime are sometimes necessary to fulfill job duties. The stress level of the job is moderate.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree in city planning; preferably a masters degree in city planning or closely related field. American Institute of Certified Planners certification preferred.

Experience: Considerable experience of an increasingly responsible nature in municipal planning and development, or other related area; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices pertaining to urban planning.
• Thorough knowledge of the philosophy underlying the laws and regulations pertaining to urban planning.
• Thorough knowledge of urban planning purposes, principles and techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of urban planning and zoning legislation.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the framework of municipal government.
• Knowledge of statutes, rules and regulations relating to community development.
• Knowledge of quantitative methods and research techniques.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of urban planning.
• Ability to develop area-wide planning and development programs in accordance with modern practices and standards.
• Ability to prepare and present, in a clear and concise manner, oral and written reports.
• Ability to analyze complex planning problems and to present viable recommendations for their solution.
• Ability to deal effectively with public and community groups concerned with municipal planning.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, Town officials and various groups and agencies.

Special Requirements: Proficiency with word processing, database, mapping, and graphics software. Certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.

Employee Benefit Information

Fiscal Year 2027

July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027

Retirement Accounts

NC Local Government Employees' Retirement System (LGERS)

LGERS is a pension plan administered by the North Carolina Total Retirement Plans within the Department of State Treasurer.

Your Contribution

Town Contribution

General Employees

6% of gross salary (mandatory)

15.12%

Sworn LEO Employees

17.10%

You become vested once you have completed 5 years of creditable service. Vested means that you are eligible to apply for monthly retirement benefits based on the formula as well as age and service requirements set by the State of North Carolina as long as you do not withdraw your contributions. If you leave the retirement system prior to becoming vested, you are only entitled to a refund of your contributions.

Unreduced Benefits

Reduced Benefits

Disability Benefits

General Employees

Available after you reach age 65 with 5 years of creditable services, age 60 with 25 years of creditable service, or any age with 30 years of creditable service

Available after you reach age 50 with 20 years of creditable service or age 60 with 5 years of creditable service (age 55 for firefighters)

Available after 5 years of creditable service

Sworn LEO Employees

Available after you reach age 55 with 5 years of creditable service or any age with 30 years of creditable service

Available after you reach age 50 with 15 years of creditable service or any age with 25 years of creditable service

NC Supplemental Retirement Plans

401(k) and 457b retirement plans are sanctioned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and allow employees to contribute funds toward their retirement on a tax-deferred basis. With both plans, you are 100% vested from your first contribution, meaning the money is yours, loans are available, and rollovers are allowed from other qualified retirement plans.

Town Contribution

Your Contribution

Retirement Benefits

Empower 401(k) Plan

5% of gross salary

Optional

Traditional pre-tax and Roth post-tax deductions are available

Available upon retirement with no penalty at age 59 ½

Empower 457b Plan

None

Available upon retirement with no penalty at any age

Retirement Account Links

LGERS Retirement: https://www.myncretirement.com/

NC Supplemental Retirement Plans: https://ncplans.retirepru.com/

Medical, Vision, Dental, and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

The Town provides a maximum credit of $780 per month toward employees' medical, vision, and dental elections. This is comprised of a $630 base credit provided to all employees and an additional $150 credit provided to employees who participate in annual biometric screenings. The current maximum Town contribution covers 100% of current employee premiums for medical, vision, and dental insurance with remaining funds eligible for deposit into a dependent care FSA. Insurance elections that exceed the maximum Town contribution are paid through a pre-tax payroll deduction. Employees who have existing medical coverage and choose to waive medical coverage through the Town will receive a reduced credit of $191.91 per month pursuant to rules established by the IRS.

Medical Insurance

Provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) with two plans to choose from.

Core Plan

• $1,500 individual/$4,000 family deductible with a 70/30 coinsurance
• $25 primary care co-pay; $50 specialist co-pay; $50 urgent care co-pay
• $10/$25/$45/$60 Rx Tiers

Monthly Rates (does not include Town credit):

Employee Only $718.22

Employee + Spouse $1,406.50

Employee + Children $1,202.69

Family $2,229.96

Value Plan

• $5,000 individual/$10,000 family deductible with an 80/20 coinsurance
• $35 primary care co-pay; $70 specialist co-pay; $70 urgent care co-pay
• $10/$25/$45/$60 Rx Tiers

Monthly Rates (does not include Town credit):

Employee Only $588.09

Employee + Spouse $1,145.85

Employee + Children $980.69

Family $1,813.16

Retiree medical insurance is available based on years of service with the Town at: 100% with 25 years of service; 75% with 22 years of service; 50% with 19 years of service; 25% with 15 years of service.

Vision Insurance

Provided by Vision Service Providers (VSP) with two plans to choose from. Under each plan, there is a $10 copay for annual exams and a $25 copay which covers lenses and the following frame allowances.

Core Plan

• Up to $170 allowance plus 20% discount for featured frame brands
• Up to $150 allowance plus 20% discount for general frames
• Up to $150 allowance for contact lenses
• $150 Lightcare allowance to be used towards non-prescription sunglasses or blue light filtering glasses

Monthly Rates (does not include Town credit):

Employee Only $15.83

Employee + Spouse $25.33

Employee + Children $25.86

Family $41.70

Value Plan

• Up to $150 allowance plus 20% discount for featured frame brands
• Up to $130 allowance plus 20% discount for general frames
• Up to $130 allowance for contact lenses
• $130 Lightcare allowance to be used towards non-prescription sunglasses or blue light filtering glasses

Monthly Rates (does not include Town credit):

Employee Only $13.72

Employee + Spouse $21.95

Employee + Children $22.41

Family $36.13

Dental Insurance

Provided by Delta Dental of North Carolina with two plans to choose from. Both plans feature:

• Diagnostic and preventative services covered at 100%

• Basic services covered at 80%

• Major services covered at 50%

Core Plan

• Includes adult and child orthodontics

Monthly Rates (does not include Town credit):

Employee Only $37.09

Employee + Spouse $75.85

Employee + Children $99.55

Family $152.50

Value Plan

Monthly Rates (does not include Town credit):

Employee Only $32.77

Employee + Spouse $67.03

Employee + Children $88.01

Family $134.83

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

The Town's FSAs are administered by FLEX and employees are provided with:

• $500 each benefit plan year in a medical FSA for medical, vision, and dental expenses
• Possible funding of a dependent care FSA for adult and childcare expenses depending on insurance elections
• Optional pre-tax funding by the employee

Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance

Basic life, AD&D, and STD insurance are provided through Unum with 100% of employee coverage paid by the Town. Employees also have the option to purchase additional, supplemental life and AD&D insurance at cost through post-tax payroll deductions.

Employee Leave

Holidays

13 - 14 paid holidays each calendar year according to the Town's holiday schedule, in addition to two floating holidays.

Vacation & Sick Leave

Vacation leave accrued per month based on completed years of service:

Less than 2 years 6.66 hours

2 - 5 years 8.00 hours

6 - 10 years 10.00 hours

11 - 15 years 12.00 hours

16 - 20 years 14.00 hours

More than 20 years 16.00 hours

All employees earn 96 hours of sick leave per calendar year, and the Town will accept an unlimited transfer of sick leave hours from the State of North Carolina or one of its political subdivisions.

Community Service Leave

8 hours of community service leave each calendar year.

Military Leave

Up to 120 hours of paid leave each year, based on the federal fiscal year, for required military training for employees who are members of the armed forces or the National Guard.

Funeral Leave

24 hours of paid leave per death of an immediate family member as defined by policy.

Other Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

The Town provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which provides confidential counseling for employees and immediate family members free of charge. The program is administered entirely by a third party, McLaughlin Young Group (MyGroup) and features two specific programs: one for general employees and one for first responders.

Pay Increases

Annual performance evaluations are required with potential merit increase opportunities, subject to budget funding and availability.

Biennial salary studies completed by Human Resources staff to ensure the Town maintains competitive salaries in Wake County.

Longevity

Offered annually upon the completion of 5 years of service as a percentage of base salary:

2% after 5 years

3% after 10 years

4% after 15 years

5% after 20 years

Education Tuition Reimbursement

Employees wishing to further their education, improve current job skills, or prepare for promotional opportunities may apply for tuition reimbursement assistance. Reimbursement is based on budget availability and varies annually.

Pool Membership & Recreation Programs

Free membership at the Knightdale Recreation Center Pool for employees and immediate family members, and employees and their children may participate in Town Parks & Recreation programs free of charge.

Direct Deposit

All Town employees receive direct deposit of payroll checks on a biweekly basis.

Civic Credit Union Membership

Town employees are eligible to bank at Civic Credit Union, formerly the Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).

01

Are you certified through the American Institute of Certified Planners?

• Yes
• No

02

What interests you about this position with the Town of Knightdale and what motivated you to apply?

Required Question

Employer Town of Knightdale

Address 950 Steeple Square Court

Knightdale, North Carolina, 27545

Phone (919) 217-2221

Website http://www.knightdalenc.gov