Principal or Senior Planner

Knoxville-Knox County Planning is looking for a creative, dedicated, and experienced planner to join our team. This is an advanced position in the Planning Services division, which administers development regulations and processes requests for rezoning, subdivisions, development plans, and plan amendments for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. The division also studies community growth patterns and prepares plans that guide City and County policies.

About the position:

We don’t expect candidates to have experience managing all of these types of projects, but the ideal candidate will have significant experience working in current planning and is a team player who can lead staff and support both our external and internal customers. The successful candidate will have excellent customer service skills that allow him/her to comfortably and calmly deal with the public, developers, partners, and elected and appointed officials.

A regular day in this position might involve reviewing development requests, preparing reports that support land use decisions, providing staff support for a planning commission meeting, and answering questions from developers and residents.

Typical job duties:

• Coordinate/conduct review of plans, subdivisions, rezoning requests, and plan amendments.
• Conduct site visits.
• Lead ordinance updates and process enhancement efforts.
• Meet with engineers, surveyors, developers, property owners, and other constituents.
• Prepare recommendations for the Planning Commission, City Council, and County Commission.
• Represent the agency at regularly scheduled public meetings, some of which may take place outside normal work hours.
• Provide leadership and support to the agency’s customer service counter.
• Represent the agency at interdepartmental meetings and perform staff work for committees.
• Organize, conduct, and attend community meetings.

Skills we are looking for:

• Creative thinking and positive attitude.
• Ability to lead and direct staff.
• High level of personal accountability.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships.
• Strong commitment to public service and community involvement.
• Excellent communication, both oral and written.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to see the big picture.
• Supervisory experience.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (for Senior Planner) or Master’s degree (Principal Planner) in urban planning or a related field.
• Four or more years of relevant experience.
• Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or the ability to obtain certification within one year of employment.

Salary range:

The salary range for the Senior Planner position is $62,800-$100,500. The salary range for the Principal Planner position is $76,300-$122,100. Starting salary is dependent on experience.

The position may be filled at the Senior Planner or Principal Planner level, depending on qualifications.

Working at Knoxville-Knox County Planning:

The agency is made up of 30 planners, technicians, researchers, designers, and support roles led by an executive director and housed in an office suite located in downtown Knoxville overlooking the Tennessee River. The workspace is a recently renovated and contemporary open floor plan, which promotes a positive, collaborative work environment among staff and partners. The agency encourages and provides opportunities for professional development, ongoing education, and continuous improvement. Medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and retirement match are part of the generous benefits package. Paid leave includes 13 holidays, accrued annual and sick leave, and parental leave.

Living in East Tennessee:

The greater Knoxville area is situated in a valley between the Cumberland and Great Smoky Mountains and has a moderate, four-season climate. Knoxville is the largest city in East Tennessee with a population of 192,000. Located along the banks of the Tennessee River, it is the urban heart of the metropolitan area, which consists of eight counties and has a population of 893,000. Knoxville is home to the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee, with annual enrollment of 30,000 students. Additionally, there are four two-year colleges and nine other four-year universities located in Knox County and the surrounding area. Consistently ranking among the nation’s best places to live, raise a family, and own a business, the region has a low cost of living, a workforce that is supported by a diverse economy, many arts and culture amenities, and international recognition as an outdoor adventure destination. It is known for its welcoming residents, eclectic neighborhoods, and vibrant communities. For more information, check out our Facts and Figures report.

How to apply:

Send your resume, cover letter, and three references to:

Tina Piatt

Knoxville-Knox County Planning

Suite 403, 400 Main Street

Knoxville, TN 37902

[email protected]

Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be reviewed.

Application deadline – open until filled:

Review of resumes and cover letters will begin immediately. We will contact only those candidates selected for an interview. An offer of employment will be contingent on the candidate passing a background check before starting work.

Visit Knoxville-Knox County Planning for more information about our agency.