This job posting expires at 11:59PM on November 25, 2025. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on November 25, 2025.

Job Title:  Planner I

Department: Planning

External Hiring Range: $54,626.52 - $68,203.51

Compensation Grade: 3003

Pay Range: $54,626.52 - $87,211.25

Posted Internally and Externally

Buncombe County is hiring a Planner I for the Planning and Development Department.
The Planning and Development Department is responsible for implementing and enforcing land use policies and ordinances to support orderly, sustainable growth throughout the county. The department oversees a wide range of programs related to zoning, subdivisions, affordable housing, transportation, sustainability, E-911 addressing, floodplain management, and stormwater and erosion control.

This position reports to the Development Services Division Manager. The primary responsibilities include permit review and providing customer service. Additional duties include serving as Clerk to the Board of Adjustment and supporting the E-911 Addressing Coordinator with address assignment and database maintenance.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to provide entry level professional planning work including development review, zoning compliance, and data analysis for long range planning initiatives.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Bachelor’s degree with major course work in planning, public administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Additional Training and Experience: North Carolina Zoning Officials Certification preferred.

Physical Requirements:  While much of the work is sedentary, it includes light to medium exertion in excess of 30 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 15 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.  Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:  balancing, crouching, feeling, finger dexterity, handling, kneeling lifting, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking along with hearing, smelling, and speaking/communicating.  The work is completed in a typical office environment but requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Report writing, assistance with boards and commissions, taking minutes and interacting with residents, and design professionals, etc.
• Development review
• Support boards and commissions and long-range planning initiatives
• Assist the Address Coordinator with the e-911 GIS address assignment system which involves daily updating and maintenance of the database, and assignment of numerical addresses/structure points as needed.
• Maintain files, databases, spreadsheets and reproduces maps (aerial and topographic) and other documents for the public and other departments.
• Directly assist Senior Planning Staff with special project coordination, outreach, documentation, and project management as needed. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of rural and urban planning specifically related to field inspections and code enforcement.
• Ability to effectively use MS Office Suite, GIS, permitting software, mapping tools and other County sanctioned software applications.
• Ability to review plans and field conditions and apply provisions of ordinances and regulations to determine compliance. 
• Knowledge of the County Road system and the ability to effectively navigate roads to conduct site visits efficiently.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the specific field of planning.
• Ability to function in stressful circumstances and demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing priorities, deadlines, and directions. 
• Knowledge of the environmental and socioeconomic implications of the planning process.
• Skill in the collection, analysis and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations.

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.