Job Title: Principal Planner
Salary: $87,610.00 Annually Location: Murfreesboro, TN Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 1104081 Department: Planning Opening Date: January 16, 2026 Closing Date: January 30, 2026 4:00 PM Central
Job Description:
This position is considered a Safety-Sensitive position. Applicants who pass the interview process will be subject to drug and alcohol testing.
The purpose of this class within the organization is to plan for the orderly growth of the City, administer the Citys Zoning Ordinance, Design Guidelines, and Subdivision Regulations.
Essential Duties:
• Must be able to communicate with others in spoken and written English to ensure the safe and efficient operations of the business. • Prepares meeting agenda, Staff comments, illustrations, and legal notice for Board of Zoning Appeals. • Reviews preliminary and final plats, site plans, and architectural elevations for compliance with the Citys Subdivision Regulations, Zoning Ordinance, and Design Guidelines. • Presents to the Planning Commission in a public televised setting and serves in an advisory role while conveying an understanding of development challenges; advises the Planning Commission regarding annexation, zoning change, and land use topics. • Presents cases to Board of Zoning Appeals and provides professional guidance. • Presents to City Council in a public hearing setting; presents the Planning Commissions recommendations to the City Council and answer questions in a televised, public hearing setting. • Advises the public regarding zoning district boundaries, the corporate limits, development requirements and procedures, the National Flood Insurance Program, and the appeals and amendment procedures. • Evaluates compliance with zoning and other city ordinances by visual on-site inspections and investigations. • Researches demographic and economic information and writes reports for the Planning Director, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Historic Zoning Commission, and City Council. • Addresses public bodies regarding development plans, zoning applications, ordinance amendments, and annexation requests. • Reviews new development plans for compliance with addressing/street naming issues as well as Board of Zoning Appeals issues; confers with potential Board of Zoning Appeals applicants to discuss application process and zoning requirements. • Reviews building permit applications for zoning compliance. • Investigates possible violations of the Citys Zoning Ordinance; enforces the Citys Zoning Ordinance as needed.
Additional Duties:
• Performs other work as assigned.
Physical Demands:
• Work is performed typically standing and sitting; however, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs and ladders, and lifting arms overhead, traversing rough and uneven terrain, and lifting equipment and objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds is required on an intermittent basis.
Typical Qualifications:
• Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: • Requires a bachelors or masters degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field. • Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible experience as an Urban Planner. • Special Certifications and Licenses: • Must have a valid drivers license. • AICP certification preferred but not required.
Benefits:
The City of Murfreesboro is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Payroll Information:
• Pay Frequency, Work Week, and Pay Method: • Department: City of Murfreesboro & Water • Work Week: Sunday - Saturday • Pay Frequency: Bi-weekly • Pay Method: Direct Deposit or Bank Debit Card
Employee Recognition Stars:
• The STARS program recognizes outstanding employees who embody the Citys standards for service excellence and exemplify our core values. • Employees are nominated by co-workers or citizens and the awards recipients are selected by an Awards Committee. • An employee, or employee team, selected for the STARS award will, at minimum, if full-time, receive one day of paid vacation leave and, if part-time, receive a monetary award. • Public recognition of this award occurs at City Council meetings.
Learning & Development:
• All City of Murfreesboro employees have access to online training and personalized learning opportunities from Cornerstones LMS. • Available courses will allow you to participate in learning programs to support your short and long-term career goals, improve performance, and adapt faster in your work environment!
Discount Program:
• All employees are able to access Perkspots discount program - a marketplace of exclusive discounts. • Using this free discount program offers discounts related to a variety of interests. • Browse deals or search by category in their Discount Portal. • Savings are available on worldwide travel, electronics, home goods, mortgages, restaurants, movie and concert tickets, and much more. • Examples of discount partners include Sams Club, Disney+, Costco, Stitch Fix, Target, Samsung, Planet Fitness, Universal Orlando Resort, Walt Disney World, and many more!