Salary : $72,731.00 - $112,742.00 Annually
Location : 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC
Job Type: Full time with benefits
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26-06122
Department: Planning & Development
Opening Date: 09/23/2026
Closing Date: 10/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Position DescriptionThis position is devoted to professional urban planning services for Durham and/or regional organizations. This position is focused on the implementation of Durham's Comprehensive Plan through the creation of small area plans and/or other long range planning projects; this position shall be expected to perform advanced professional analyses and provide recommendations; prepare and present graphic and narrative reports; ensure effective and efficient project management; coordinate with regional planning organizations and federal/state agencies; give presentations to a diverse range of audiences; and other duties as assigned.
Duties/Responsibilities - Manages large land-use and master planning processes as assigned; and ensures adherence to project schedules and budgets.
- Conducts advanced professional analyses; develops and makes recommendations on planning and development issues, including regulatory and policy-related recommendations; conducts research studies; coordinates development review operations; may oversee property inspections and identification of ordinance violations.
- Prepares, maintains, reviews, and/or approves graphic, narrative, and other reports, development proposals, plans/plats, permits, maps, articles, applications, and other documents; approves and issues certifications and notices; prepares and conducts complex presentations to diverse audiences; maintains records, websites, and databases; researches, reviews and analyzes data; develops and makes recommendations; and ensures compliance with applicable ordinances, codes, policies, and procedures.
- Coordinates with customers, regional planning organizations, federal or state agencies, and other City/County departments; attends community forums and hearings; participates in or leads meetings; plans and implements public engagement and outreach events; provides technical assistance; addresses escalated issues and responds to inquiries; and serves as a representative of the City/County and the planning function.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience - Bachelor's degree in planning, engineering, or a directly related field OR equivalent experience.
- Five years of professional urban planning experience.
Additional Preferred Skills - Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.
- Master's degree in planning, engineering, or a directly related field is preferred.
- Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and/or other data visualization techniques.
Benefits - General Full-Time Employees - 12-13 paid holidays per year
- 13 standard work days of vacation per year
- 13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
- 2 weeks paid military leave per year
- Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
- State and City retirement plans
- Short and long term disability plans
- Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
- City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
- Paid funeral leave
- Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
- Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
- 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
- 4 hours parental leave each year
- Workman's Compensation Insurance
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year) - 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
- State retirement plan
Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period) - 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
- State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
- Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
- Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
- Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service
01
Where did you first hear about this opportunity?
- City of Durham Website
- Walk in
- Job fair
- Employee referral
- Professional organization ***Please list the organization in "other" box below***
- Internet posting ***Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below***
- Craig's List
- Facebook
- LinkedIn
- GlassDoor
- governmentjobs.com
- Monster.com
- Indeed.com
- Employment Security Commission
- Magazine/Newspaper
- Other
02
If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03
Please select your highest level of COMPLETED education.
- Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
- High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
- Associates Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- Doctoral Degree (PhD, Juris Doctorate)
04
How many years of professional urban planning experience do you have?
- No related experience
- Less than 1 year of related experience
- 1 year but less than 5 years of related experience
- 5 years but less than 9 years of related experience
- 9 years but less than 13 years of related experience
- 13 or more years of related experience
05
Briefly describe your experience in preparing land use plans (and/or your experience managing other large projects).
06
How would you rate your experience level with utilizing GIS software (ArcGIS applications, QGIS, etc.)?
- No experience
- Beginner level
- Intermediate level
- Advanced level
- Expert level
Required Question
