Remote Urban Planning Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $105,000.00 - $135,000.00 Annually
Location : Carrboro Town Hall
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Planning, Zoning, and Inspections
Division: Planning Division
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Pay Grade Salary Range: $105,000 to $135,000
General Definition and Conditions of Work
Lead Carrboro's Planning, Zoning and Inspections Department
The Town of Carrboro seeks an experienced and highly effective Planning Director to lead the Town's Planning, Zoning, and Inspections Department. Reporting to the Assistant Town Manager, the Planning Director provides professional operational and executive leadership for the department's planning, zoning, development review, building permitting, minimum housing, and inspection programs, services, and staff. The Planning Director oversees long-range planning, current planning and building services activities. Responsibilities include floodplain/watershed management, or oversight of the Town Engineer contract Development Plan Review, preparation of long-range and small area plans, management of the transportation capital plan/program, budget administration, and effective implementation of programs and policies.
The ideal candidate will provide:

• Forward-looking leadership of the Department and staff
• A collaborative, innovative approach to planning, growth and development
• A focus on high standards of operations, customer service and project delivery
• Strong technical expertise to advisory boards, commissions, elected officials, and community organizations
• Ability to evaluate, formulate, and recommend policies that address the needs of a changing community, and
• Effective representation and ability to form partnership with local/regional agencies, stakeholders and community members

This role operates under the direction of the Assistant Town Manager with full supervision of department personnel either directly or through subordinate supervisors.
The position may require work outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, or during emergency situations.
Essential Functions

• Department Leadership: Direct and oversee the Planning Department, including staff, programs, budgets, work plans, and consultant contracts.
• Planning & Development: Administer and enforce planning, zoning, subdivision, watershed, floodplain, transportation, and related regulations; oversee development review and long-range planning initiatives.
• Policy & Ordinances: Lead updates to the Land Use Ordinance and other planning regulations and provide guidance on planning and zoning matters.
• Community & Council Engagement: Prepare reports and recommendations for Town Council and advisory boards; facilitate community engagement and represent the Town at local and regional meetings.
• Regulatory Compliance: Serve as the Town's Floodplain Manager and Watershed Administrator and ensure compliance with applicable local, State, and federal requirements.
• Strategic Initiatives: Lead major planning initiatives, including the preparation of a new Unified Development Ordinance, Safe Routes to Schools Plan Update, NC54 Corridor Plan, Downtown Area Plan implementation, Comprehensive Plan updates, and multiple transportation and greenway projects.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in planning or land use.
• Four (4) years of supervisory experience, including experience in senior-level positions, budget administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Previous experience leading a local government planning department, division, or team.
• Experience with municipal planning, zoning, land use, and development review.
• Certified Zoning Official (CZO) certification is desired.

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license with an acceptable driving history.
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM): Possession of the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) credential issued by the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) is highly preferred at the time of hire. If the successful candidate does not possess this certification upon hire, attaining the CFM credential within twelve (12) months of employment is a mandatory condition of continued employment.
• Optional: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of advanced principles and practices of planning, including rural, regional, and urban planning. Comprehensive understanding of demographics, economics, finance, environmental conditions and regulations, community engagement and equity, and transportation and mobility as they apply to planning. Familiarity with code and building inspection processes, recent developments in planning, and principles of urban design and civil engineering as related to planning.
• Strong ability in data analysis, presenting technical reports, and making recommendations based on trends and findings. Working knowledge of GIS and general office software to support data-driven decision-making and enhance departmental functions.
• Ability to develop goals and priorities, cast a clear vision for the department, and educate staff both within the department and across the organization on the value and significance of the department's roles. Skilled in creating a working environment that encourages curiosity, explores opportunities for improvement, and embraces change.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with Town leadership, other municipal departments, local, regional and state agencies, elected officials, and community organizations. Foster trust and transparency with residents, businesses, and stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and inclusivity in decision-making processes.
• Ability to continuously seek and implement innovative solutions to improve departmental processes and enhance overall effectiveness. Skilled in promoting a culture of efficiency by streamlining workflows, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring timely service delivery. Demonstrated capacity to encourage staff development and foster an environment that values continuous improvement, creativity, and effective problem-solving.

Physical Requirements

• Occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force.
• Regular activities: speaking, hearing, using hands to handle or feel, and sitting.
• Frequent activities: reaching, standing, and walking.
• Occasional activities: climbing, balancing, kneeling, and crawling.
• Visual acuity is required for reading maps, charts, and written data, operating computers, and observing interior and exterior conditions of land areas and infrastructure, construction sites, and buildings, performing inspection work.
• Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions.

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Disclaimer
CARRBORO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Town of Carrboro considers applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. We are especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their skills, dedication and service, to the excellence of our organization.
Disclaimer
CARRBORO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Town of Carrboro considers applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. We are especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their skills, dedication and service, to the excellence of our organization.
The Town of Carrboro offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to all permanent employees.
View a summary of our benefits !
Health Insurance
The Town provides a group medical insurance including family coverage through our medical provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. The Town pays 100% for the cost of employee-only coverage and shares the costs of adding family members (including domestic partners) to the town plan. Health insurance is effective the first day of the month following a new hire's start date.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance is an optional benefit administered through our dental provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Dental coverage is paid for by the employee. Coverage for eligible dependents is also available.
Vision Insurance
Vision insurance is a benefit offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. The Town pays 100% for the cost of employee-only coverage. The Town shared the costs of adding eligible family members to the plan.
Flexible Spending Account
An optional benefit offered through our provider, Flex. Eligible health and dependent care expenses can be paid for with pre-tax dollars allocated onto a Visa card.
Paid Time Off

• Annual Leave: Permanent full-time employees earn between 12 and 26 days per year depending upon years of service. Permanent part-time employees accrue a prorated amount of leave based on hours worked.
• Sick Leave: Permanent full-time employees accrue at a rate of one day per month of service or twelve days per calendar year. Shift employees of the Fire-Rescue Department earn sick leave at the rate of five, twenty-four-hour tour-of-duty days per calendar year. Permanent part-time employees accrue a prorated amount of leave based on hours worked.
• Paid-Time Off: Permanent full-time employees receive three (3) days (36 hours for Fire-Rescue personnel) per calendar year of time to be used as needed. Time is pro-rated to employee's start date. Permanent part-time employees accrue a prorated amount of leave based on hours worked.
• Paid Caregiver Leave: Qualifying employees receive 240 hours of Paid Caregiver Leave to care for an immediate family member including birth or placement of a child in the home for adoption or foster care. This leave does not come from employee's leave bank.
• Paid Holidays: There are 13 official Town holidays. Employees in full or permanent part-time positions are eligible for paid holiday time.

Local Government Retirement System
All employees in a permanent full or part-time position are required to contribute to the NC local government retirement system. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 6%.
Supplemental Retirement Plan
The Town makes a contribution of 5% for law enforcement officers and 3% for all other employees to town sponsored 401(k) administered through Empower. No employee match is required; however, employees have the option of making contributions on a pre- or post-tax basis. Employees also have the option of contributing to an NC 457 retirement plan.
Disability and Life Insurance

• Town Paid: The Town covers both long term disability and life/AD&D insurance for permanent employees.
• Employee Paid: Employees have the option of enrolling in accident, critical illness, short-term disability, and purchasing supplemental life and dependent life insurance at their own expense.

Employee Assistance Program
Employees and their dependents are eligible to receive free and confidential 24/7 counseling through the Town's Employee Assistance Program.
Additional Benefits

• Annual Service Level Benefit payment based on years of service beginning year zero (0) of permanent full-time employment. Paid in December each year.
• O2 Fitness membership paid for by the Town for permanent employees and dependents.
• Credit Union: Employees of the Town of Carrboro are eligible to open accounts at the Local Government Federal Credit Union.
• Tuition assistance is available upon completion of the initial probationary period.
• Bilingual/ Multilingual Compensation Program: $1250 annual stipend for certified bilingual/multilingual employees who provide translation and interpretation services for the Town once they successfully complete proficiency certification.

01
Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree

02
The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

03
Do you have a valid North Carolina DL? Or do you have the ability to obtain an NC DL? <