Senior Planner

The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) seeks a qualified candidate for the position of Senior Planner in the Planning, Community and Economic Development Department.

The ideal candidate will combine project management and teamwork skills with strong communication and organizational skills, and will demonstrate integrity and dedication to the work and to the communities of Northwest Georgia.

This is an on‑site, in‑office position, with frequent project meetings and site visits within Northwest Georgia and occasional attendance at state conferences and trainings. This position is responsible for performing senior planning duties for the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission.

• Prepares comprehensive plans, including facilitation of public meetings, data analysis, community surveys, draft plan documents, and presentations.
• Prepares local and regional studies and plans requiring research and planning recommendations, including environmental reviews and reports.
• Convenes and conducts public meetings and hearings with local governments and agencies; prepares and presents public presentations.
• Assists local governments with zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, and other ordinances.
• Provides a range of planning and technical assistance to local governments in the implementation of local and regional plans, ordinances, and strategies.
• May assist with or develop grant applications.
• Performs related duties.

• Regional, comprehensive, and community planning principles
• Relevant federal, state, and local laws, and the Georgia Planning Act
• Preferred:
  Environmental planning (natural resource protection, watershed planning, hazard mitigation, resilience, linkage with land use)
• Preferred:
  Early planning-stage environmental compliance familiarity for preparation of environmental reviews of publicly funded projects
• Data-driven planning methods
• Transportation and infrastructure linkages
• Public engagement and intergovernmental coordination practices
• General familiarity with typical state/federal funding programs

• Write local and regional comprehensive and area plans with technical accuracy, clear implementation steps, and a reader‑friendly, visually effective design
• Discuss and incorporate environmental needs and constraints; prepare environmental reviews
• Facilitate public engagement and incorporate results into plans
• Coordinate with cities/counties, regional partners, and state/federal agencies
• Manage multiple project schedules, deliverables, and deadlines

• Apply judgment to balance competing priorities and present clear options/ recommendations
• Work independently; prioritize workload; maintain consistent quality
• Communicate effectively in public meetings/hearings
• Maintain effective working relationships and professionalism in a multi‑jurisdictional regional commission setting
• Provide technical guidance/ mentorship to junior staff

• Bachelor’s degree in a course of study related to the occupational field;
  And
• Sufficient experience to understand the work and to be able to understand questions and resolve problems, usually associated with three or more years’ experience;
  Or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed
• Requires a valid State of Georgia driver’s license

• Combination of education or experience in environmental planning
• Master’s degree in planning, public administration, or related fields
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification or desire to acquire within 2 years

Receives assignments from the Planning Director or Assistant Planning Director in terms of broad mission objectives, priorities, and deadlines. Independently plans and carries out work; resolves routine problems; coordinates with others as needed. Work is reviewed at internal milestones.

Guidelines include applicable federal and state laws and regulations (including Georgia Planning Act and Georgia DCA requirements); program/funding requirements; professional…