Planner III (Planning & Development)

Works under general supervision of the Deputy Administrator of the Land Use and Development Services department to manage land use and zoning applications of greatest complexity made to the Division of Planning and Development, and support section-level management.

Salary Commensurate with Experience and Education

• Five (5) years of experience as a project manager or community development planner; AND
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning, engineering, architecture, geography, business, or closely related field; AND
• Master's degree from an accredited university in planning, engineering, architecture, geography, business, or closely related field preferred; OR
• An equivalent combination of related education and/or experience.
• PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED.

• Reviews submissions to the Division of Planning and Development, including development entitlement applications, permits, zoning letters, variances, and certificates of appropriateness, to ensure compliance with the Unified Development Code (UDC).
• Manages assigned development entitlement cases submitted for review by the Land Use Control Board (LUCB), Board of Adjustment (BOA), and Memphis Landmarks Commission (MLC).
• Mediates between applicants, neighboring property owners, and boards and bodies on individual cases.
• Presents staff findings and composes staff reports, including conditions for approval and resolutions for individual cases, to the LUCB, BOA, and MLC monthly.
• Conducts presentations to the Memphis City Council and/or Shelby County Board of Commissioners, as required.
• Works with the public by responding to a high volume of communication and interaction regarding a wide range of zoning inquiries.
• Reviews site plans, subdivision plans, final plans, and special purpose districts to ensure compliance with approvals by the LUCB, BOA, Memphis City Council, UDC, and Shelby County Board of Commissioners.
• Leads periodic review and update of the Unified Development Code (UDC).
• Prepares maps using Geographic Information System (GIS).
• Acts as a resource to other planners on zoning letters and zoning review for permit applications and on routine requests and inquiries submitted to the Division of Planning and Development, as required.
• Prepares and presents reports to the Technical Review Committee.
• Performs supervisory functions when the Deputy Administrator is unavailable as needed.
• Manages other special projects as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as required or directed.

• Strong presentation skills and written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge in working with zoning codes and subdivision regulations.
• Knowledge of working with municipal or county departments, especially planning and
• engineering departments
• Ability to research laws, ordinances, rules and regulations to prepare technical and legal documents.
• Ability to understand and interpret site plans.
• Ability to plan, organize, and maintain an even flow of work and meet deadlines.
• Ability to courteously engage with the public and resolve problematic situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• General computer knowledge and skills.

• Must possess a valid Tennessee driver’s license and secure one upon date of
• employment.
• Must have access to an operable automobile and meet the County requirements for
• automobile insurance upon the date of employment.

This position is subject to a background check for any convictions that have a substantial relationship to potential job duties.

Only convictions that are substantially related to potential job duties will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

All employees hired after September 1, 1986, must be residents of Shelby County and shall continue to reside in the County as a condition of their employment. The residency requirement shall not apply to certain public safety/civil service employees. This means exemption from this policy is in effect for the following departments and positions: (1) Sheriff Deputy Patrol Officers, Deputy Jailers and Dispatchers, employed by the Sheriff Department, (2) Correction Officers employed by the Division of Corrections, (3) Firefighters, Paramedics and Dispatchers employed by the Shelby County Fire Department. The residency exemption for public safety/civil service employees does not include Appointed positions with Sheriff’s Office, Division of Corrections or the Fire Department.