Town of Bluffton
Salary: $59,320.69 - $77,000.00 Annually
Location : Town Hall - Bluffton, SC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Growth Management
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 07/08/2025
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Job Summary
The purpose of this position is to provide a range of planning and community development services for the Town of Bluffton (Town)with an emphasis on architectural design review for the Historic District. Duties include: administering, coordinating, and conducting development and other technical reviews as part of the Town's land use regulatory programs; administering and implementing the Town's Comprehensive Plan and related programs, agreements, and ordinances; updating various boards and committees of program status; gathering and analyzing statistical data; managing related consultant contracts; ensuring compliance with various laws and regulations; maintaining records; preparing reports; and analyzing success of various programs.
Essential Job Functions
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree is required in planning, urban design, landscape architecture, public administration, political science, economic development, community development, or a related field; and six (6) years of related work experience in planning and community development preferably with experience in architectural design and development review; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's Degree is preferred.
Licenses or Certifications:
Valid South Carolina driver's license. AICP Certification is desired.
Special Requirements:
None.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
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.
Duties are performed primarily in a moderately noisy business office with copy machines, phones, fax machines, calculators, and printers along with some light foot traffic. Work is sometime performed after hours such as at evening meetings.
The Town of Bluffton has the right to revise this job description at any time. This
description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
The Town of Bluffton 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Health and Dental Insurance
All regular full-time employees, employees who work 30 hours or more per week, and Town Council members are eligible to participate in the Town's health plan through the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). If an employee elects to be covered, the cost for the coverage will be deducted from each paycheck. The Town covers the premiums for the employee portion of the State Health and the State Dental plans. The employee will be responsible for the cost of any additional dependent premiums selected. For more information regarding the health plans click
Paid Time Off (PTO)
All regular full-time employees, employees who work 30 hours or more per week, will start accruing PTO on the first day of employment. PTO is a cumulative bank of time for sick days, vacation time, and bereavement leave.
Full-time employees will accrue PTO according to the following schedule:
The Town of Bluffton offers 13 paid holidays and 1 personal day (8.5 hours):
Holiday Pay
The Town of Bluffton offers PTO to employees for absences related to the death of immediate family members and fellow employees or retirees of Town of Bluffton.
Paid Parental Leave
The Town of Bluffton will provide up to six weeks or two weeks of paid parental leave upon the occurrence of a qualifying event to employees who occupy a full-time position.
Milestone Anniversary Bonus
Employee will receive a monetary bonus once they have reached a milestone anniversary (5,10,15,...).
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts are a tax-saving way to pay health care and dependent care expenses that you would typically pay out-of-pocket. Expenses such as deductibles, co payments, coinsurance, prescriptions, dental procedures and eyeglasses can quickly add up, and dependent care expenses can add up even more. The FSA's let you pay these expenses with pretax dollars.
Contributions are deducted from your pretax pay in equal amounts during the year. This means you save money, as contributions are not subject to Social Security tax, federal income tax or state income tax.
Medical Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Spending Account enrollments are only valid for one year and be re-enrolled during the Annual Open Enrollment Period in order to continue. Your account(s) will not automatically renew each year.
Pension Plans: South Carolina Retirement System or Police Officer Retirement System
All regular full-time and part-time employees and Town Council are required by law to join the South Carolina Retirement Systems. Seasonal and temporary employees have the option to opt out of the memberships.
The Town offers two plans for employees, the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) and the Police Officer Retirement System (PORS). Each employee/participant is required to contribute a certain percentage of their gross salary to the Retirement System. The actual contribution amounts are subject to change per legislation but will be provided upon hire date. The employee contributions are deducted on a pre-tax basis. Employee contributions earn interest.
More information on these programs can be found in the Retirement Handbook on PEBA's
Disability
Eligible employees enrolled in the State Health Plan have basic long-term disability protection at no cost. The Basic Long-Term Disability Plan protects a part of your income if you become disabled. It includes: a 90-day benefit waiting period; a monthly benefit of 62.5 percent of your pre-disability earnings, reduced by deductible income; a maximum $800 monthly benefit; and a maximum benefit period to age 65 if you become disabled before age 62. If you become disabled at age 62 or older, the maximum benefit period is based on your age at the time of disability.
Supplemental Long-Term Disability (SLTD)
This optional disability insurance plan provides more protection for you and your family. Supplemental long-term disability is a voluntary benefit for which the employee pays. This benefit provides: Competitive group rates; Survivors benefits for eligible dependents; coverage for injury, physical disease, mental disorder or pregnancy; a return-to-work incentive; SLTD conversion insurance; a cost-of-living adjustment; and lifetime security benefit. There are two options either a 90-day or 180-day benefit waiting period that includes: a monthly benefit of 65 percent of your pre-disability earnings, reduced by deductible income; a maximum $8,000 monthly benefit; and a minimum $100 monthly benefit. For more details visit PEBA's
Workers' Compensation
Town employees are covered by workers' compensation for on-the-job injuries. Benefits are governed by state law and not set by the Town.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP is a confidential counseling, assessment and referral program designed to help you manage your life. Just as health insurance is designed to address your physical well being, your EAP is designed to address your emotional and mental health, as well as manage your work/life issues to achieve a healthy balance. EAP also provides legal and financial consultation services, as well as the Work Life Benefit which provides assistance with elder care, childcare, adoption, education, and other work life matters. All calls made to the EAP are kept private and confidential.
Colonial Life - Supplemental Insurance
The Town of Bluffton also offers Supplemental Insurance coverage through Colonial Life to employees which includes: Cancer Insurance, Hospital Confinement Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Disability Insurance. Everyone's benefit needs are different so these are optional to each employee to select (if they choose) benefits that are right for their personal situation.
Educational Assistance and Educational Bonus Policies
The Town supports continuing education efforts made by Town employees through the reimbursement of tuition and training for certifications related to positions. Further, in our efforts to provide excellent levels of service to our citizens, the Town of Bluffton continuously strives to train and educate its employees and believes that the organization benefits from having a workforce that achieves certain academic attainment and certain specialized training and certifications.
Wellness Programs
The Town encourages employee wellness and encourages them to take advantage of some of the incentives available to them through Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA).
PEBA Perks provides a comprehensive range of activities, programs, services, and information designed to help State employees, retirees and their covered dependents enjoy a happier, healthier life. As a part of the employee insurance program, PEBA Perks focuses on disease prevention, early detection, disease management, and offers educational resources on diverse issues such as diabetes, tobacco cessation, weight management, stress management, and nutrition.
Discretionary Awards
It is the policy of the Town to provide employee recognition and incentive awards to an employee or team upon Supervisor recommendation. This program is intended to reward staff employees whose achievements have resulted in a particular benefit to the Town of Bluffton. Awards are in the Town's discretion, and no employee is entitled to an award.
Location : Town Hall - Bluffton, SC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Growth Management
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 07/08/2025
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Job Summary
The purpose of this position is to provide a range of planning and community development services for the Town of Bluffton (Town)with an emphasis on architectural design review for the Historic District. Duties include: administering, coordinating, and conducting development and other technical reviews as part of the Town's land use regulatory programs; administering and implementing the Town's Comprehensive Plan and related programs, agreements, and ordinances; updating various boards and committees of program status; gathering and analyzing statistical data; managing related consultant contracts; ensuring compliance with various laws and regulations; maintaining records; preparing reports; and analyzing success of various programs.
Essential Job Functions
- Conducts development reviews; evaluates and authors alternatives with conformance to Town policies, ordinances, and the Comprehensive Plan.
- Answers questions on development standards for the general public, realtors, and property owners.
- Conducts reviews for both Historic District and Highway Corridor Overly - Certificates of Appropriateness; writes reports; presents to appropriate board, commission and committee; reviews permit plans for compliance; reviews amendments, etc.
- Inspects ongoing projects in the field for compliance with approved plans.
- Reviews various permits as required (signs, trees, site features, zoning, etc.)
- Creates and presents staff reports to boards and commissions for which the Growth Management Department supports actions including such entities as the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Town Council regarding such applications.
- Serves as Project Manager for complex planning projects; analyzes and evaluates site and architectural plans; performs technical review for project plans and applications; and makes recommendations.
- Evaluates and effectively communicates codes, procedures, plan specifications, and alternatives with property owners, contractors, developers, engineers, architects, and the public.
- Analyzes the success of programs by monitoring and reporting the quantifiable aspects of the program.
- Ensures Town compliance with applicable federal and state regulations dealing with Growth Management initiatives.
- Gathers and analyzes statistical data; prepares written reports; and makes oral presentations.
- Conducts site inspections, determines if projects are in compliance with laws, regulations, and ordinances; and makes recommendations on changes.
- Coordinates and effectively communicates with the applicable staff/inspection officers regarding zoning violations, business license review, on-site improvements, agreements, and letters of credit/bonding; inspects site improvements regarding zoning requirements for final occupancy permits.
- Educates Town staff, boards, commissions, Town Council, and the general public on relevant community development topics.
- Oversees the work of other personnel in the preparation of planning and community development projects, reports, and studies.
- Performs emergency or disaster-related duties as assigned.
- Provides technical assistance to assigned personnel in the completion of their findings; suggests appropriate course of action and solutions to more complex problems.
- Prepares written project analysis; identifies appropriate land use policy, design issues, and environmental requirements; and makes recommendations/comments for action.
- Assists with the preparation, revision, update, and implementation of the Town Comprehensive Plan, long-range neighborhood plans, other planning policies and documents, the Unified Development Ordinance, and other ordinances that relate to Town growth and development.
- Reviews and analyzes data on physical conditions, population trends, housing conditions, and other social and economic factors pertaining to planning and community development.
- Manages consultant contract; determines scope of work and budgets; tracks budgets; and approves contract payments.
- Works after hours at times for meetings.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree is required in planning, urban design, landscape architecture, public administration, political science, economic development, community development, or a related field; and six (6) years of related work experience in planning and community development preferably with experience in architectural design and development review; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's Degree is preferred.
Licenses or Certifications:
Valid South Carolina driver's license. AICP Certification is desired.
Special Requirements:
None.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of urban planning, architectural design review, development plan review, growth management, community development, and natural resources.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and municipal legislation impacting municipal government planning and community development efforts.
- Knowledge of customer service principles and best practices.
- Knowledge of job-related software such as Adobe software, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, and other similar products.
- Skill in providing customer service.
- Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the elected and appointed officials, senior staff, other Town departments, Town employees, and the general public.
- 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.
- Ability to be tactful, discrete, and persuasive.
- Ability to collaborate with customers, staff, and the general public.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced 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.
Duties are performed primarily in a moderately noisy business office with copy machines, phones, fax machines, calculators, and printers along with some light foot traffic. Work is sometime performed after hours such as at evening meetings.
The Town of Bluffton has the right to revise this job description at any time. This
description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
The Town of Bluffton 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Health and Dental Insurance
All regular full-time employees, employees who work 30 hours or more per week, and Town Council members are eligible to participate in the Town's health plan through the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). If an employee elects to be covered, the cost for the coverage will be deducted from each paycheck. The Town covers the premiums for the employee portion of the State Health and the State Dental plans. The employee will be responsible for the cost of any additional dependent premiums selected. For more information regarding the health plans click
Paid Time Off (PTO)
All regular full-time employees, employees who work 30 hours or more per week, will start accruing PTO on the first day of employment. PTO is a cumulative bank of time for sick days, vacation time, and bereavement leave.
Full-time employees will accrue PTO according to the following schedule:
- 0-5 years of employment: 5.2 hours / pay period
- 6-9 years of employment: 6.8 hours / pay period
- Over 9 years of employment: 8.32 hours / pay period
The Town of Bluffton offers 13 paid holidays and 1 personal day (8.5 hours):
- New Years Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- Presidents' Day
- Good Friday
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving
- Heritage Day (Friday after Thanksgiving)
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- Personal Day
Holiday Pay
The Town of Bluffton offers PTO to employees for absences related to the death of immediate family members and fellow employees or retirees of Town of Bluffton.
Paid Parental Leave
The Town of Bluffton will provide up to six weeks or two weeks of paid parental leave upon the occurrence of a qualifying event to employees who occupy a full-time position.
Milestone Anniversary Bonus
Employee will receive a monetary bonus once they have reached a milestone anniversary (5,10,15,...).
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts are a tax-saving way to pay health care and dependent care expenses that you would typically pay out-of-pocket. Expenses such as deductibles, co payments, coinsurance, prescriptions, dental procedures and eyeglasses can quickly add up, and dependent care expenses can add up even more. The FSA's let you pay these expenses with pretax dollars.
Contributions are deducted from your pretax pay in equal amounts during the year. This means you save money, as contributions are not subject to Social Security tax, federal income tax or state income tax.
Medical Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Spending Account enrollments are only valid for one year and be re-enrolled during the Annual Open Enrollment Period in order to continue. Your account(s) will not automatically renew each year.
Pension Plans: South Carolina Retirement System or Police Officer Retirement System
All regular full-time and part-time employees and Town Council are required by law to join the South Carolina Retirement Systems. Seasonal and temporary employees have the option to opt out of the memberships.
The Town offers two plans for employees, the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) and the Police Officer Retirement System (PORS). Each employee/participant is required to contribute a certain percentage of their gross salary to the Retirement System. The actual contribution amounts are subject to change per legislation but will be provided upon hire date. The employee contributions are deducted on a pre-tax basis. Employee contributions earn interest.
More information on these programs can be found in the Retirement Handbook on PEBA's
Disability
Eligible employees enrolled in the State Health Plan have basic long-term disability protection at no cost. The Basic Long-Term Disability Plan protects a part of your income if you become disabled. It includes: a 90-day benefit waiting period; a monthly benefit of 62.5 percent of your pre-disability earnings, reduced by deductible income; a maximum $800 monthly benefit; and a maximum benefit period to age 65 if you become disabled before age 62. If you become disabled at age 62 or older, the maximum benefit period is based on your age at the time of disability.
Supplemental Long-Term Disability (SLTD)
This optional disability insurance plan provides more protection for you and your family. Supplemental long-term disability is a voluntary benefit for which the employee pays. This benefit provides: Competitive group rates; Survivors benefits for eligible dependents; coverage for injury, physical disease, mental disorder or pregnancy; a return-to-work incentive; SLTD conversion insurance; a cost-of-living adjustment; and lifetime security benefit. There are two options either a 90-day or 180-day benefit waiting period that includes: a monthly benefit of 65 percent of your pre-disability earnings, reduced by deductible income; a maximum $8,000 monthly benefit; and a minimum $100 monthly benefit. For more details visit PEBA's
Workers' Compensation
Town employees are covered by workers' compensation for on-the-job injuries. Benefits are governed by state law and not set by the Town.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP is a confidential counseling, assessment and referral program designed to help you manage your life. Just as health insurance is designed to address your physical well being, your EAP is designed to address your emotional and mental health, as well as manage your work/life issues to achieve a healthy balance. EAP also provides legal and financial consultation services, as well as the Work Life Benefit which provides assistance with elder care, childcare, adoption, education, and other work life matters. All calls made to the EAP are kept private and confidential.
Colonial Life - Supplemental Insurance
The Town of Bluffton also offers Supplemental Insurance coverage through Colonial Life to employees which includes: Cancer Insurance, Hospital Confinement Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Disability Insurance. Everyone's benefit needs are different so these are optional to each employee to select (if they choose) benefits that are right for their personal situation.
Educational Assistance and Educational Bonus Policies
The Town supports continuing education efforts made by Town employees through the reimbursement of tuition and training for certifications related to positions. Further, in our efforts to provide excellent levels of service to our citizens, the Town of Bluffton continuously strives to train and educate its employees and believes that the organization benefits from having a workforce that achieves certain academic attainment and certain specialized training and certifications.
Wellness Programs
The Town encourages employee wellness and encourages them to take advantage of some of the incentives available to them through Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA).
PEBA Perks provides a comprehensive range of activities, programs, services, and information designed to help State employees, retirees and their covered dependents enjoy a happier, healthier life. As a part of the employee insurance program, PEBA Perks focuses on disease prevention, early detection, disease management, and offers educational resources on diverse issues such as diabetes, tobacco cessation, weight management, stress management, and nutrition.
Discretionary Awards
It is the policy of the Town to provide employee recognition and incentive awards to an employee or team upon Supervisor recommendation. This program is intended to reward staff employees whose achievements have resulted in a particular benefit to the Town of Bluffton. Awards are in the Town's discretion, and no employee is entitled to an award.