Planner I - Minor & Exempt Subdivisions

Are you passionate about land use planning and development review and eager to make a meaningful impact in a growing community? Chatham County is seeking a motivated professional to join our Planning Department and support subdivision review, plat review, and development coordination efforts that help shape the future of the county. This is an excellent opportunity to work on a variety of projects involving land development regulations, ordinance interpretation, and interdepartmental collaboration alongside a team committed to responsible growth and high-quality public service. Performs intermediate professional work in the review and approval of minor and exempt subdivision requests, ensuring code compliance, providing guidance to surveyors, realtors, engineers, developers, contractors, associates, and the public, maintaining comprehensive records, preparing detailed reports, and performing related tasks as assigned. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Subdivision Administrator. Position functions are subject to change based on departmental needs and external factors including, but not limited to, regulatory requirements. Reviews, processes, and approves minor and exempt subdivision applications for compliance with adopted land use regulations, and applicable state and local laws; Serves as the primary point of contact for subdivision-related inquiries, providing clear, courteous information to surveyors, realtors, engineers, developers, contractors, and the general public via walk-in, phone, and email; Interprets and applies county ordinances, zoning regulations, and North Carolina General Statutes related to land use, subdivisions, floodplain, and environmental regulations; Assists applicants with application submittals, completeness checks, resubmittals, and payment processing, and ensures all required materials and fees are submitted; Reviews subdivision plats for new lot creation, easements, recombination, non-buildable lots, and related actions to ensure regulatory compliance; Researches and reviews deeds and recorded plats to determine subdivision eligibility and history; Receives, reviews, and processes On-Site Riparian Buffer and Floodplain Determination applications as required; Tracks application statues, deadlines, reviews, approvals, and records using OpenGov permitting software and other departmental systems; Maintains accurate and complete records of subdivision applications, approvals, and associated documentation in accordance with administrative requirements; Coordinates and collaborates with internal development review departments and external agencies to address subdivision and development requirements; Communicates review comments, concerns, and next steps effectively to applicants and development professionals to facilitate timely application processing; Assists and provides technical and administrative support to the Subdivision Administrator, including limited support for major subdivision submittals; Supports long-range planning activities, including data collection, mapping, community planning efforts, and ordinance updates; Assists in the review, recommendation, and drafting of ordinance amendments, including subdivision and land use regulations, and perform related background research when needed; Prepares staff reports, presentations, and background materials, and provide staff support to internal teams, advisory boards, and elected or appointed boards and committees as assigned; Conducts research on best practices, legislative updates, and regulatory changes affecting land development and subdivision review; Encourages interdepartmental communication and collaboration to support coordinated and efficient development review; Maintains positive working relationships with local, regional, and state agencies, consultants, and development professionals; Provides front counter coverage as needed, serves as a first point of contact for the public, and accepts and processes payments for development and subdivision submittals in accordance with departmental and financial procedures; Provides additional support for zoning-related matters as assigned; Attends evening meetings as required; Perform other duties as assigned. Bachelor's degree with coursework in urban planning, geography, land use and law, real estate, regional planning or related field and experience (internship or working) in land use planning or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Local government experience is preferred. Thorough knowledge of technical ordinances, codes, and regulations pertaining to land use, zoning, subdivision, site design, watershed protection, and minimum code areas; General knowledge of the philosophies, principles, practices, and techniques of urban planning; Ability to read and interpret land surveys and site plans to ensure compliance with appropriate codes and ordinances; Ability to gather, organize, and analyze information and data, including a basic working knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS) or the ability to learn and apply GIS tools; Thorough knowledge of legal procedures related to the enforcement of laws, ordinances, and regulations; Ability to enforce ordinances and regulations with firmness, tact, and impartiality; Ability to work on several projects simultaneously; Ability to demonstrate effective time management to meet deadlines and expectations; General knowledge of the principles and requirements of public administration and record keeping; Ability to facilitate in-person and virtual meetings with staff and the public; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, surveyors, realtors, engineers, developers, contractors, associates, and the general public. Physical Requirements This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking, hearing, use of hands and fingers, handling or feeling, frequently requires reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; work requires vocal communication to express or exchange ideas; work requires hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visually inspecting small defects and/or small parts, using measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles and exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic). Special Requirements Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.