Who We Seek:
Centralina Regional Council seeks energetic, self-directed individuals for the position of REGIONAL PLANNER I or REGIONAL PLANNER II to assist in an array of emerging project areas, including but not limited to the coordination of land use, transportation, environmental, energy, healthy community and public engagement projects.
Projects will primarily focus on assisting local governments in meeting local goals, transportation choice, including transit, freight, transportation demand management and emerging transportation technologies, as well as the creation of land use plans, the development and update of local zoning and subdivision ordinances, and assisting local governments with a variety of planning related projects focused on meeting local objectives.
The successful applicant will understand the importance of positive relationships with local communities and agencies in the region and exhibit strong customer service and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, intentional group engagement processes are a common feature across all project areas, therefore, the ability of the successful candidate to contribute to well-designed stakeholder outreach is desired. Position requires strong project management skills, the ability to work independently and internal drive.
Our Organization:
Centralina Regional Council is an innovative regional planning agency located in Charlotte, NC with a membership that includes 63 local governments throughout the Greater Charlotte Region. Centralina works with individual communities and leads major projects that transcend local and regional boundaries. Our mission is to lead regional collaboration and spark local action to expand opportunity and improve quality of life.
The Centralina Team:
Centralina strives to provide an inclusive, creative and supportive work environment for its employees. Centralina’s staff of over 50 individuals serve as subject-matter experts to ensure our organization is able to meet the evolving needs of our dynamic nine-county region and growing organization. Centralina’s staff of friendly, talented and professional individuals helps ensure Centralina remains a trusted source of data and analysis that informs decision makers and calls attention to important trends. Centralina is a great place to work, learn and grow in your career.
Centralina offers its employees an excellent benefits package including membership in the NC Local Government Retirement System, 401k, medical, dental, vision and flexible benefits programs.
Description of the work:
Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Performing intermediate professional planning, research, analytical and technical duties in the Centralina Regional Councils’ Planning Department.
- Managing and working within teams on a variety of planning initiatives.
- Planning and coordinating meetings, workshops and other events.
- Researching trends and emerging issues on program activities and preparing and presenting reports and program recommendations.
- Clearly communicating internally and externally on program areas.
- Performing grant research, writing and management on related projects.
- Serving as a point person, technical assistance resource and information provider to local governments and various agencies on an array of planning issues.
- Serve as staff to ad hoc committees or boards/commissions and prepare related materials.
Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of principles and practices in planning as applied to transportation and land use planning systems and processes as well as general planning principles.
- Knowledge of government, laws and services pertinent to planning processes.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff at the federal, state, regional, local levels and with elected officials.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and lead various meetings and events, make presentations and answer questions at public or project meetings.
- Ability to coordinate the preparation of or prepare presentations, charts, maps (GIS), graphs and other illustrative materials for presentations to elected officials, public and other stakeholders. Demonstration of advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capabilities not required but considered a plus.
- Ability to perform a variety of duties including research, drafting plans and reports, grant development and administration, budget development and administration, etc.
- Demonstration of project management skills desired.
- Successful candidate should also have knowledge of local government systems and processes, general planning principles, and project management components.
- Demonstration of innovative communication and marketing skills is a plus.
Minimum Experience at a Glance:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a field of study in planning, public policy, urban design, public administration, geography or related field and one to three years of experience (for Regional Planner I) or three to five years of experience (Regional Planner II) or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Local government planning department experience is desired. Hiring salary dependent on experience in position hired (Regional Planner I – $47,570 – $60,414; Regional Planner II – $52,446 – $66,607).
Applicant must possess a valid driver’s license and have the ability to physically perform the basic life operation functions of standing, walking, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions, the ability to lift 10 pounds of force occasionally and possess the visual acuity to prepare data, proof work, and do extensive reading.
How to Apply:
Interested individuals are required to send résumés and a cover letter to: admin@centralina.org with the subject line “Regional Planner I or Regional Planner II.” Deadline: Open until filled, with rolling interviews. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early. EOE.dd
