In this new position, the Senior Division Planner is responsible for performing complex and highly responsible professional planning activities for the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Public Service, Center for Local Planning. Work will occur in cooperation with local partners in a specific Grand Division of the State. The position supervises and directs assigned staff and carries out technical assignments including project management, research, data analysis, oral presentations, and development of policy and plan recommendations. The role requires professionalism, tact, and diplomacy in working with a wide range of stakeholders. Reports to the Executive Director of the Center for Local Planning.

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In this new position, the Senior Division Planner is responsible for performing complex and highly responsible professional planning activities for the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Public Service, Center for Local Planning. Work will occur in cooperation with local partners in a specific Grand Division of the State. The position supervises and directs assigned staff and carries out technical assignments including project management, research, data analysis, oral presentations, and development of policy and plan recommendations. The role requires professionalism, tact, and diplomacy in working with a wide range of stakeholders. Reports to the Executive Director of the Center for Local Planning.

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Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required in Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, Geography, or related field.
• Experience: Minimum seven (7) years professional planning experience at the City, County, Regional, State or consultant level including at least two (2) years supervisory experience. Applicants must possess significant practical experience with the legal, political, and administrative aspects of Land Use Planning and Zoning.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles, best practices, and techniques of rural, urban, and regional planning.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies governing land use planning and development in the State of Tennessee.
• Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating staff performance.
• Skill in project management, data analysis, and preparation of technical reports.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication tailored to diverse audiences.
• Skilled in planning for growth, redevelopment, and infrastructure investment
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local officials, staff, and stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend sound solutions.
• Ability to use GIS, mapping, and data visualization tools to support decision making.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and digital literacy
• Ability to meet deadlines and keep commitments to various stakeholders
• Ability to travel and present outside normal business hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s Degree Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, Geography, or related field is preferred.
• Experience: Experience at the Director, Assistant Director or Managerial level or equivalent is preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Advanced practical knowledge of the legal, political, and administrative aspects of Land Use Planning and Zoning.
  • Demonstrated skill in one or more of the following sub-disciplines: Building and Construction Codes, Floodplain/Stormwater Management, Economic Development, Rural/Historic Preservation, and Transportation Planning.
  • Knowledge of state statutes, County/municipal governance, infrastructure, and intergovernmental frameworks in Tennessee.
  • Preferred applicants will possess additional experience in one or more of the following sub-disciplines: Building and Construction Codes, Floodplain/Stormwater Management, Economic Development, Rural/Historic Preservation, and Transportation Planning.
  • Membership in good standing with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) strongly preferred.

Behaviors

The Senior Division Planner must be able to work with a significant degree of autonomy across a large geographic area. The position therefore requires the ability to maintain trust and respect within the Institute and with stakeholders across the assigned Grand Division and the State generally. This position requires integrity, honesty, and good ethics to successfully work with the University of Tennessee system and with the local elected and appointed leadership of the State.

Work Location:

Location: The position will be located in one of the three (3) Grand Divisions of the State of Tennessee (West, Middle, or East). Applicants should state their preferred geographic location within their cover letter. The positions will be hybrid in accordance with the Institute for Public Service’s Alternative Work Arrangements procedure.

Benefits

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before December 4, 2025.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division

The UT Institute for Public Service provides outreach and assistance to all of Tennessee. Through our agencies and initiatives, we offer technical assistance, training, and consulting on a wide variety of services, including government operations, language services, law enforcement excellence, leadership training, manufacturing excellence, opioid abatement and much more.

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Technical Assistance

• Provides technical assistance and impartial advice to local governments on matters related to planning, growth, and development;
• Attends and presents at meetings of local elected bodies, Planning Commissions, Boards of Zoning Appeals, and other groups;
• Leads or assists in the preparation of policies, plans, and educational materials;
• Coordinates multiple projects simultaneously across jurisdictions;
• Serves as subject matter expert for a wide variety of stakeholders;
• Oversees preparation of reports, presentations, maps, and graphics for local officials; presents complex information in a clear manner appropriate to the audience at hand.

Relationships:

• Cultivates and builds upon relationships with stakeholders, including local Development Districts, local elected and appointed officials, and their professional staff.
• Maintains positive working relationships with various agencies of state government and staff at sister IPS agencies.
• Builds reputation as a reliable and impartial source of expertise and information; demonstrates competence, thoughtfulness, and restraint in all professional interactions.
• Keeps supervisor informed of local concerns and opportunities;

Management & Administration

• Marshals and deploys limited resources to achieve mutually agreed upon goals.
• Assists Executive Director in coordinating with IPS agencies and staff;
• Assists in grant writing and administration;
• Ensures that all forms established and required by the Agency, Institute, or University are completely and correctly completed, and that all applicable policies are followed;
• Supervises, directs, trains, and evaluates assigned staff; assists with hiring recommendations;

Other

• Attends professional development meetings, conferences, seminars, training classes, and administrative committees and task forces as assigned (may be internal to IPS or the University)
• Travel as required