Job Opportunities

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Director of Planning & Community Development, the Planner I is expected to perform review and analysis of applications for site plan approval, subdivisions and related plans/documents, variances, warrants, and special use permits, planned developments, map amendments, text amendments, code interpretation, architectural review, property inquiries, and customer service for the daily activities of the Town’s Planning & Community Development Department. Includes assisting the Director with the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.

Essential Job Functions

An employee in this class performs urban planning work that provides coordinated guidance and regulation of the growth and development of the Town. Essential duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs development plan and building permit application review for compliance with adopted plans and policies.
• Provides information and instruction regarding building and planning review, zoning, permitting processes, and common code questions/enforcement.
• Performs subdivision plat review.
• Conducts data collection, research, and analysis for staff reports/presentations and studies as assigned.
• Assists with processing and review of applications for annexation.
• Assists with the review and update of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, including amendments.
• Assists with the drafting and presentation of proposed policy changes.
• Participates in meetings and public hearings as assigned.
• Work requires coordination with various Town departments, local governments and agencies, Town Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, developer representatives, consultants and the public.
• Assists with public records requests and related requests.
• Experience with grant writing is a plus.
• ESRI ArcGIS is a plus.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Political Science, Economic Development and/or demonstrable experience in a related field. Positions in specific program areas may require program-related experience, education, and/or training.

Additional Qualifications:

• Possession of a valid South Carolina driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification a distinct advantage.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening, background, and reference check.
• Must be able to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to work in the United States.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of urban planning.
• Skill in providing exceptional customer service.
• Ability to collaborate with customers, staff, and the public.
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to be tactful, discrete, and persuasive.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of job-related software such as Adobe software, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, and other similar products.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the elected and appointed officials, senior staff, other Town departments, Town employees, and the public.
• Ability to utilize the Internet and email.
• Ability and knowledge to research and produce planning reports.
• Ability to write clearly; to organize and analyze information and perform planning research.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with public, developers, property owners, supervisors, employees, architects, engineers, Town Council, Planning Commission, and Board members.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to select, evaluate, analyze, and interpret data from several sources.
• Ability to create clear, concise reports including statistical analysis and trending data.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The work is light work. The employee is frequently required to apply 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is occasionally required to exert up to 20 pounds of force to move objects.

In addition, positions in this classification typically require, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, manual dexterity, mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, visual acuity to analyze data/work with color or depth perception/determine accuracy or observe facilities/operate motor vehicles or equipment/inspect defects or fabricate parts, and walking.

Position requires sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, grasping, and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily activities. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal services.

Duties are performed primarily in a relatively quiet business office with copy machines, phones, fax machines, calculators, and printers along with light foot traffic. Business professional or business casual attire is expected.

Work is sometimes performed outside with field inspections to properties and after hours such as at evening meetings.

Pay Info

Planner I - $55,000 - $65,000 DOE-DOQ

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Town of Ridgeland commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state and federal laws. The Town’s policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination regarding race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, country of national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political affiliation, ethnicity, or status in any other group protected by federal/state/local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

How to apply:

Please email cover letter & resume to Town Planning Director, Mr. Aaron C. Rucker, AICP at: arucker@ridgelandsc.gov

Job Category: Legal, Judicial Department

Employee Status: Part – time, by contract

Position Hours: By contract, as outlined below

Job Duties:

The Town Attorney, appointed by the Town Council, serves as the chief legal officer of the municipality and provides comprehensive legal counsel to the Mayor, Town Council, Town Administrator, and all Department Heads, Commissions, and Officers of the Town. Provide legal advice and guidance on matters affecting the administration, governance, and operations of the Town, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws. Advise the Town Council on legal issues and support Council members in gaining a functional understanding of the legal principles applicable to municipal actions and policies.

Offer legal counsel to the Town Administrator, Department Heads, and other authorized Town officials on legal questions arising in the course of municipal operations or in the performance of their official duties. Draft, review, and approve ordinances, resolutions, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and other legal instruments as requested, to ensure legal sufficiency and protection of the Town’s interests. Represent the Town in legal proceedings, including litigation, administrative hearings, and negotiations, as directed by the Town Council, and safeguard the legal integrity of Town actions.

Monitor, interpret, and report on relevant court decisions, statutory changes, and administrative rulings that may impact the Town’s legal obligations or authority. Ensure that all legal services are provided in a manner consistent with the highest standards of professional ethics and the responsibilities inherent in the office of the Town Attorney. The Town Attorney plays a critical role in upholding the rule of law within the municipality and in ensuring that all municipal actions are legally sound and effectively executed.

Qualifications:

Graduate from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree. Must be licensed to practice law in the state of South Carolina and be of good reputable standing. Requires a minimum of two years’ experience practicing law, preferably in a local government capacity.

Knowledge of the organization and functions and goals of the Town government. Extensive knowledge of the provisions of South Carolina law and Town code. Skill in negotiating agreements/settlements which accommodate conflicting interests and viewpoints. Ability to attend meetings and perform work assignments at times outside normal business hours. Ability to determine when outside counsel is needed. Skill in oral and written communication sufficient to develop defenses of, and justification for, decisions reached.

Pay Information:

Based upon experience, qualifications.

How to Apply:

Please email a resume, or C.V., cover letter and engagement proposal which includes 1) Scope of the engagement 2) Attorney-Client relationship 3) Limitation on engagement 4) Prior representation(s) 5) Existing representation(s) 6) Conflicts 7) Fees and payments to: Dennis E. Averkin, Town Administrator daverkin@ridgelandsc.gov

Open until Filled. The Town of Ridgeland is an Equal Opportunity Employer