Land Use Planner

FLSA: Exempt
Direct Reports: No
Supervised By: Land Use and/or Energy Partner

Position Summary
The Land Use Planner will support the Land Use team in our Raleigh office. The ideal candidate will have experience in zoning and land use, renewable energy entitlements, and related regulatory matters. Experience representing real estate developers, landowners, and homebuilders before municipalities, or work for the planning department of a government entity handling zoning matters is preferred.

The Planner will assist clients in drafting zoning petitions and permit applications to enable their projects to move forward. The Planner will provide expertise to clients in evaluating and procuring land use entitlements ranging from code interpretations to zoning changes to various permits.

This “timekeeper” position will collaborate with attorneys to support the Development Services and Energy industry teams. This role will provide strategic guidance and direction as well as tactically deliver results.

This position will require after-hours and weekend work as well as occasional overnight travel for hearings or meetings.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
• Build and maintain effective relationships with local, state and federal government elected officials and staff on land use requests and regulations affecting the real estate development industry.
• Collaborate and consult with the client, architects, engineers and other consulting experts in order to provide streamlined and efficient services for clients.
• Assist clients with responding to zoning code violations and variance negotiations.
• Attend public hearings.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with local zoning offices and permitting offices throughout the Firm’s footprint.
• Provide drafting services and other expertise to the client.
• Assist attorneys and industry teams with business development plans and presentations, RFPs, client and prospect research, client events, speaking opportunities, and overall practice development.

Requirements
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience advising clients on land use law and in securing rezonings, variances, special use permits, and other entitlements, or equivalent experience handling such requests from developers on behalf of a government entity.
• Bachelors’ Degree in land use planning/development or related field.
• Certification by the American Planning Association and/or American Institute of Certified Planners preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to influence others, as well as flex style and delivery to varying audiences.
• Excellent project management skills and demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload and consistently meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills. Demonstrates effective teamwork. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with employees, attorneys, clients, and the public.
• Highly self-motivated and self-directed. Works independently with minimal supervision. Overcomes major obstacles and recognizes when issues should be escalated. Demonstrates independent judgment and is expected to provide guidance and coaching to others.
• Possess a “hands-on” tactical approach. Comfortable working in a mixed-matrix environment with many stakeholders and potentially competing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word) as well proficiency with CRM software.
• Exhibits initiative and innovative thinking and drives best practices. Demonstrates problem-solving skills, attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality.

Please submit an application via our website.