Senior Planner - Clayton

This is a repost. All previous referred candidates need not to reapply and are still under consideration. · Recruitment is expected to begin the week of March 9th, 2026. · Salary Grade SG 408 · Recruitment range starting at: $70,355.00 · Salary offered will be determined based on ...

Job description

This is a repost. All previous referred candidates need not to reapply and are still under consideration.

Recruitment is expected to begin the week of March 9th, 2026.

• Salary Grade SG 408
• Recruitment range starting at: $70,355.00
  Salary offered will be determined based on directly related experience

Work Location is Town Hall Clayton, NC (Johnston County)

The Town of Clayton is seeking applicants for a Senior Planner for the Planning Department. The Town of Clayton employs more than 340 full-time staff in areas including police, fire, and electric utilities.

The Town of Clayton also offers a range of PT positions including positions in Parks & Rec, Library, and Cultural Arts.

The Town of Clayton is the fastest growing town in Johnston County, which is the fastest growing county in the State of North Carolina.

The vision for the Town of Clayton includes a thriving town where growth contributes to the quality of life enjoyed by long-time residents and newcomers alike; easy access but with an atmosphere that feels smaller than it is; a system of parks and greenways that connect people and places; neighborhoods with a variety of quality living options; a town that offers opportunities for people to live, create, shop and eat; a bustling and historic downtown, and businesses that are successful, growing, and investing in the community.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Senior Planner position is an advanced professional level position that manages and reviews a variety of complex planning projects.

The primary role of this position will be current planning efforts, including but not limited to, communication and implementation of Town land use regulations, review of site plans for the Technical Review Committee, and review of master plans and concept plans as part of conditional rezonings.

Secondary roles of this position, including but not limited to, will be:
long-range planning efforts, specific area plans, comprehensive plan updates, text amendment updates, and special studies. This position will also make presentations to the Planning Board, the Board of Adjustment, and Town Council.

Persons interested in this position should be willing to mentor staff, provide insight on regulation development, collaborate with internal and external agencies, be a partner with the development and business community, and serve as a liaison between the department and the general public.

Conducts reviews for compliance to the Town's Unified Development Ordinance for requirements for planning projects including but not limited to: principal and secondary use establishment, zoning district compliance, use-specific standards, landscape standards (perimeter, streetscape, parking lot), design standards for multi-family and commercial buildings, onsite pedestrian and vehicular circulation flows, open space set asides (passive and active types), and site lighting requirements.

Performs high-level reviews for Conditional Rezoning applications including but not limited to: establishment of minimum development standards (e.g. setbacks and building heights), points of access, enhancing onsite pedestrian connectivity, high-quality building development, and robust landscaping on the project site.

Prepares applications and presentations to the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Town Council on a regular basis, such as Conditional Rezonings, Text Amendments, and Variances.

Effectively communicates and interprets town land use regulations and policies to customers in an effective manner for land use applications.

Performs the review of site plans for development projects ranging in complexity, from minor subdivision to concept plans for conditional rezonings.

Assists with the Town's Code Enforcement and Abatement efforts by providing guidance and expertise regarding interpretation and implementation of the Town's Unified Development Ordinance and Code of Ordinances.

Provides expertise to applicants seeking conditional approvals from Town Council by articulating necessary requirements as well as political viability of projects.

Prepares for projects in advance of formal submittals by researching sites, applicable codes, and processes and provides this information to applicants, such as through the pre-application meeting.

Conducts thorough analysis of submitted projects by evaluating and determining compliance to the Town's Unified Development Ordinance and prior applicable land use regulations.

Understands the big picture when reviewing master plans and concept plans that impact larger areas of the Town.

Participates in internal or external planning efforts that may involve offsite meetings and can positively represent and actively communicate the Town's interests.

Communicates and advises applicants that may be controversial when going through the public engagement process.

Seeks guidance and leadership when needed to help navigate problems of all manners to come up with solutions and courses of action for success.

Serve as a mentor, leader, and team player for the department, Town, development and business community, and residents of Clayton.

Special Requirements, Education & Experience

Knowledge of North Carolina State Statutes Chapter 160D and how these statutes apply to local government planning practice and regulations.

Knowledge of planning best practices as articulated by current thinkers advancing the profession.
Knowledge of planning professional organizations and the positions/solutions they have regarding current planning-related problems/observations.
Knowledge of municipal local government operation, department, and elected and appointed boards.

Knowledge of planning department applications, permit types, and the different levels of reviews required to process and approve each application.

Skill of applying design standards to architectural building elevations for compliance to the Unified Development Ordinance.

Skill of applying recommendations when there is a lack of regulations to enhance a project and achieve a high-quality product.

Skill of looking up property facts related to planning using mapping tools and software.
Skill of reading and understanding site, building elevation, grading, topography, utility, landscape, and lighting plans.

Skill of providing technical land use regulatory compliance comments on plan sets using tools and software applications, such as BlueBeam.

Skill of typing and reading using electronic equipment and software applications, such as Microsoft Word.
Skill of using analytical tools and software applications, such as Microsoft Excel.

Ability to distinguish and articulate best planning practices to applicants for projects so that they are representative of high-quality development.

Ability to provide analysis and recommendations for planning projects, text amendments, and land use policy development within a reasonable development supportive context.

Ability to prepare staff reports, complete agenda packets, and deliver required public noticing's within required deadlines for the department's various boards (e.g., Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Town Council).

Ability to conduct a thorough analysis of discretionary applications in order to advise applicants how to achieve success and to provide confident recommendations to Town leadership.

Ability to meet department and State statute mandated review deadlines for applications.

Ability to communicate Town land use regulations that may be in conflict with applicant desires and able to provide resolutions and suggestions to acquire a win-win scenario.

Ability to prepare for and deliver professional presentations to elected and appointed leaders and able to communicate what may be complex planning concepts to the general public during public meetings and public hearings.

Education and Experience

A bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning, geography, or a related field is required while a master's degree in urban and regional planning, geography, public administration, or a related field is preferred.

Also requires a minimum of 6 years local government or private sector planning experience with a bachelor's degree or 4 years with a master's degree.

Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) will be required within 2 years of employment.
North Carolina Association of Certified Zoning Officials (CZO) will be required within 2 years of employment.

OR

Depending on the position, the Town may consider an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

SUBMIT OFFICIAL APPLICATION USING THE TOWN'S CAREER WEBSITE*If you have technical issues submitting your application, please call the NEOGOV ) Help Line at If there are any questions about this posting, other than your application status, please contact the Human Resources Office.

If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted.

To check the status of your application, please log on to your NEOGOV account and click "Application Status". It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application. Normal processing time for applications is 30-45 days from the closing date of the posting.

To obtain veterans preference, you must scan and upload a copy of your DD-214 or discharge orders. Degrees must be accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the online application form. Any information omitted from the application cannot be considered for qualifying credit.

Attached or incorporated resumes (including Text Resume's on the on-line application) WILL NOT be used for screening for qualifying credit.

"See Resume" or "See Attachment" WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completing an on-line application form. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check.

Effective October 1, 2025, in accordance with North Carolina state law, all applicants for positions that involve working with children in any capacity are required to undergo criminal history record checks conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

Credit and motor checks are required for some administrative, finance and operational positions.

Applicants will be required to take and pass a Pre-Employment Drug and Alcohol screen once they are verbally given a conditional offer of employment.

Depending on the position, employees may be subject to random drug and alcohol screens throughout their employment.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).

Town of Clayton employees enjoy many benefits including a retirement pension plan, 401K membership, Paid Vacation, Sick and Holiday Leave, State Health Plan, and various other benefits.

Benefits information can be found by going directly to the Town of Clayton website at:

When a salary range is posted, the actual salary will be based on relevant competencies, knowledge, skills & abilities, internal equity and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

The Town of Clayton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring salary will not exceed hiring pay range unless approved by the Town Manager.

Applications may be reviewed to determine if applicants education and experience is more applicable to other vacant positions within the Town.

01

Are you a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners?

Yes
No

02

Do you have a minimum of 6 years of planning experience with a bachelor's degree or 4 years with a master's degree?

03

Did you upload your Cover Letter and Resume?

Yes
No

04

Are you willing to accept the position if offered at the recruitment range starting at $70,355.00?

Yes
No
Required Question