PLANNER I

Salary : $65,852.80 - $108,680.00 Annually
Location : Cary, NC
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 27-02716
Department: Planning
Opening Date: 10/22/2026
Closing Date: 11/8/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A

Description
The Town of Cary is seeking a passionate and inquisitive individual to join our team in the Planning and Community Development Department as a Planner I. This position provides an opportunity to work across a broad range of planning activities, including building permit and development plan review, ordinance research and amendments, special area planning, community engagement, and comprehensive plan amendments.
The Planner I works independently and collaboratively across the department's current and long-range planning divisions. Strong written and oral communication skills are essential, as is the ability to collaborate in a fast-paced and evolving environment. Successful candidates will demonstrate adaptability, a commitment to continuous learning, and a willingness to share knowledge and empower others. The position works under the general supervision of senior planning staff while exercising independent judgment and discretion in carrying out assigned responsibilities and developing sound recommendations.
Anticipated hiring range: $65,852.80 - $78,728.00

Typical Tasks

• Assists in the development and implementation of Council initiatives and goals related to long-range planning, including the preparation land use plans, design guidelines, transportation-related plans, and other small area plans;
• Performs LDO research and analyzes best available regulatory practices; coordinates collaborative dialogue regarding potential changes with internal and external stakeholders; monitors changes in State law, and assists in the preparation of staff reports for ordinance amendments;
• Reviews building permits and development plans;
• Answers questions for residents, developers, contractors, business owners, and other Town staff;
• Assists in coordinating and organizing public meetings and charrettes;
• Represents the Town at public meetings and open houses when needed;
• Represents the Town at inter-governmental meetings; and
• Performs other job-related tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

General knowledge of the philosophies, principles, practices and techniques of land use planning, planning research, zoning, and annexations; general knowledge of municipal planning, landscape architecture practice, and urban design; general knowledge of Development Ordinances and their applications; general knowledge of the use of personal computers and associated software; ability to read and interpret ordinances, statutes, plans, plats, etc.; ability to plan, organize, supervise and carry out complex research projects effectively and simultaneously; ability to present the results of research effectively in oral, written, and graphic form; ability to communicate effectively; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, representatives of other agencies, and members of the general public.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications
Requires education or experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, or related field, plus two years of professional planning experience or two years of graduate level education in a related field.
Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate thorough knowledge and experience across the following identified areas. Applications should include specific, substantive examples from coursework, research, internships, work history, or other relevant experiences that demonstrate the candidate's knowledge, experience, and ability to apply and communicate relevant skills.

• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to work on a variety of tasks while being organized and detail-oriented;
• Development Plan review and/or permit review experience;
• Experience working with or researching zoning ordinances;
• Experience writing planning-related documents or reports;
• Ability to interpret and analyze data and maps; and
• General knowledge of government services that pertain to the field of planning.

Physical Requirements

Work in this class is generally inside and sedentary. Work requires the ability to hear and talk in order to be able to communicate with the public and other employees. Visual acuity is necessary to read handwritten and typewritten materials, read maps and plans, and to operate a computer. The ability to walk or move about may be necessary in order to observe issues or activities in the field.
Special Requirements

• Requires a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, SBI finger-printing, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment.

Regular Full-Time Employees
Cary is pleased to provide excellent, competitive, and comprehensive benefits to serve the needs of our employees and their families.
Because Cary believes that employees are one of our most important resources, significant dollars (averaging about 40% of annual salary per employee) are spent each year on employee benefits.
All regular full-time employees of Cary are eligible, and benefits coverage for new employees and family members is effective upon an employee's hire date.
01

1. Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Graduate/GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

02

2. Do you possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

03

3. Which statement best describes your knowledge and experience with oral, written, and interpersonal communication in academic, professional, or other relevant settings?

• None: I have no relevant knowledge or experience in these areas.
• Some: I have some experience communicating information verbally or in writing and interacting with others through coursework, research, work assignments, or other relevant activities.
• Considerable: I have demonstrated the ability to clearly communicate information, prepare written materials, and collaborate effectively with others in academic or professional settings.
• Extensive: I have demonstrated the ability to communicate complex information clearly, adapt communication to different audiences, and navigating interactions that require collaboration, problem-solving, or explaining findings and recommendations.

04

4. Which statement best describes your knowledge and experience organizing tasks, managing competing priorities, and maintaining attention to detail?

• None: I have no relevant knowledge or experience organizing tasks, managing deadlines, or checking work for accuracy.
• Some: I have some experience organizing tasks, tracking deadlines, and checking my work for accuracy through coursework, research, work assignments, or other relevant activities.
• Considerable: I have demonstrated the ability to prioritize tasks, maintain organized records or materials, and complete assignments accurately and on time.
• Extensive: I have demonstrated the ability to independently manage competing priorities, maintain accuracy across multiple tasks, adapt to changing deadlines, and proactively address potential delays or issues.

05

5. Describe an example from your coursework, research, work history, internship, or other relevant experience involving the review of development plans, site plans, permit applications, or similar materials. Briefly explain your role, the information or requirements you reviewed, what you learned, and any findings or outcomes.
06

6. Which statement best describes your knowledge and experience researching, interpreting, or applying zoning ordinances or related land-use regulations?

• None: I have no relevant knowledge or experience with zoning ordinances or land-use regulations.
• Some: I have some familiarity with zoning ordinances or land-use regulations through coursework, research, case studies, or work assignments.
• Considerable: I have demonstrated the ability to research zoning provisions, interpret regulatory requirements, and apply them to specific questions, projects, case studies, or assignments.
• Extensive: I have demonstrated the ability to independently research and interpret zoning regulations, evaluate how requirements apply to complex questions or scenarios, and explain findings or conclusions to support planning-related decisions.

07

7. Describe one planning-related document or report you worked on through coursework, research, work history, an internship, or other relevant experience. Examples include research papers, planning analyses, staff reports, technical reports, project summaries, or similar written work. Briefly explain the document's purpose, your specific role or contribution, and the information, analysis, findings, or recommendations it communicated.
08

8. Which statement best describes your knowledge and experience interpreting data, analyzing maps, or using spatial information to answer planning-related questions?

• None: I have no relevant knowledge or experience interpreting data, analyzing maps, or working with spatial information.
• Some: I have some familiarity with interpreting data, charts, or maps through coursework, research, case studies, or work assignments.
• Considerable: I have demonstrated the ability to interpret data or spatial information, identify patterns, trends, or potential issues, and use findings to support conclusions or recommendations.
• Extensive: I have demonstrated the ability to independently analyze data or spatial information using tools such as spreadsheets, mapping software, or geographic information systems (GIS), evaluate findings or limitations, and communicate results to inform planning-related decisions.

09

9. Which statement best describes your knowledge and experience with government services, programs, or agencies related to the field of planning?

• None: I have no relevant knowledge or experience with government services, programs, or agencies related to planning.
• Some: I have some familiarity with government services, programs, or agencies related to planning through coursework, research, community involvement, or work assignments.
• Considerable: I have demonstrated an understanding of how government services, programs, or agencies support planning-related functions such as land use, development review, transportation, infrastructure, permitting, or community development.
• Extensive: I have demonstrated a strong understanding of how government services, programs, and agencies interact to support planning-related decisions, and I can apply this knowledge to research issues, evaluate processes, identify relevant services, or support planning-related projects and recommendations.

Required Question