Career Opportunities

Now Hiring - Community & Regional Planner

​

The Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) is currently seeking energetic, self-motivated, and detail oriented candidates for the position of Community & Regional Planner.

​

COMMUNITY & REGIONAL PLANNING DEPARTMENT:

The WPCOG Community & Regional Planning Department engages in various types of planning services for local governments and other partners in the Western Piedmont. Those services are organized into five divisions:

• Community & Regional Planning

• Transportation Planning (d/b/a Greater Hickory MPO)

• Regional Data Center/GIS

• Natural Resources & Environmental Planning

• Compliance

 

On a contractual basis, planning staff advises local governments on current planning issues such as zoning, annexation, ordinance revisions and related land-use issues. The WPCOG serves as the town planner for nine (9) municipalities and provides planning project services for a number of other local governments. The department consists of nine (9) full-time positions providing a comprehensive set of services. 

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Community & Regional Planner provides professional urban and regional planning contract work for members of the COG.  Work includes preparing comprehensive planning recommendations; conducting planning, water quality, land use, open space, and zoning studies; analyzing data, ordinances, laws and policies and developing recommendations, evaluating programs and preparing and presenting reports; and providing technical assistance to the local government members.  Work requires thorough knowledge of the planning field and independent judgment and initiative in the performance of duties.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, geography, engineering or related field required; Master’s degree and AICP a plus

• Some experience in municipal, county or regional planning preferred but not required

• Ability to communicate with general public, professional staff and elected/appointed officials in oral/written forms.

• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

​

SALARY & BENEFITS:

The hiring rate for this position is $49,225 depending on qualifications and experience. New hires are eligible for up to a 5% increase with the successful completion of probationary period.
 

• WPCOG is a member of the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System. This entitles vested employees with at least five years of employment to a defined benefit at the time of retirement. Members contribute 6% of gross compensation each month. This is a before-tax deduction. Western Piedmont Council of Governments contributes an actuarially determined percentage of the gross payroll of members each month.
   

• The Western Piedmont Council of Governments will contribute 4.2% of each employee’s salary and match 4%, for a possible total of 8.2%, to either the NC 401k or the NC 457. *This is in lieu of participating in Social Security. WPCOG does not participate in Social Security.
   

• WPCOG pays 100% of an employee's health and vision coverage. The current plan is a high deductible health plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Contributions to the HSA are made pre-tax through payroll deduction.
   

• WPCOG pays 100% of the following premiums:

  • Life Insurance - $100,000

  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment

  • Dental Insurance - Employee and Family

  • Short-Term Disability (Weekly Indemnity)

  • Long-Term Disability

​

• WPCOG provides for the following payroll deduction and retirement options:

  • NC 457 Plan

  • NC 401(k) Plan

  • Local Government & State Employees' Credit Union payroll deductions

  • Voluntary additional life insurance

• WPCOG provides for the following paid leave options:

  • 11 Paid Holidays Per Year

  • Annual Leave earned on a sliding scale based on years of service *New hires with applicable local or state government experience may if approved, earn annual leave based on their prior years’ experience.

  • 12 Sick Leave Days Per Year

  • Longevity Pay

 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

This position is open until filled.

​

Please submit a cover letter, resume, references, and WPCOG application to Director of Administrative Services and Human Resources, Ashley Bolick, at WPCOG, P.O. Box 9026, Hickory, NC 28603. Emailing application materials is acceptable, ashley.bolick@wpcog.org. Questions should be directed to Ashley at (828) 485-4221. Final candidates will be subject to an interview process. The WPCOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

​

WPCOG Application

​

​

​

Now Hiring - Housing Specialist

 

The Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) is currently seeking energetic, self- motivated, and detail oriented candidates for the position of Housing Specialist to work in the Regional Housing department.

​

REGIONAL HOUSING DEPARTMENT:

The RHA operates a Housing Choice Voucher program with funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The RHA continues to be the leader in providing Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) rental assistance to income-eligible families in the region. The RHA currently has HUD funding for 1,245 units and is continuously growing.

​

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Housing Specialist performs eligibility determination based on income, assets and criminal history for applicants seeking a Housing Choice Voucher. The Housing Specialist will determine eligibility for the program by interviewing, verifying information, and gathering data from applicants. The Housing Specialist will also be required to educate applicants, landlords and the public on federal guidelines and regulations regarding the Housing Choice Voucher program. Work requires knowledge of income eligibility requirements, Housing Choice Voucher program, and ability to verify information such as income, childcare, assets, criminal history and other information. The Housing Specialist will be expected to take initiative when making decisions regarding applicants housing eligibility.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates degree in human services or related field preferred, supplemented with 1 year or more of professional experience in a related service eligibility role

• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

• Bilingual Skills (English-Spanish) preferred

• Knowledge and ability to manage data in a complex software system required

​

SALARY & BENEFITS:

The hiring range for this position is $34,983 – 37,000. New hires are eligible for up to a 5% increase with the successful completion of probationary period.
 

• WPCOG is a member of the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System. This entitles vested employees with at least five years of employment to a defined benefit at the time of retirement. Members contribute 6% of gross compensation each month. This is a before-tax deduction. Western Piedmont Council of Governments contributes an actuarially determined percentage of the gross payroll of members each month.
   

• The Western Piedmont Council of Governments will contribute 4.2% of each employee’s salary and match 4%, for a possible total of 8.2%, to either the NC 401k or the NC 457. *This is in lieu of participating in Social Security. WPCOG does not participate in Social Security.
   

• WPCOG pays 100% of an employee's health and vision coverage. The current plan is a high deductible health plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Contributions to the HSA are made pre-tax through payroll deduction.
   

• WPCOG pays 100% of the following premiums:

  • Life Insurance - $100,000

  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment

  • Dental Insurance - Employee and Family

  • Short-Term Disability (Weekly Indemnity)

  • Long-Term Disability

​

• WPCOG provides for the following payroll deduction and retirement options:

  • NC 457 Plan

  • NC 401(k) Plan

  • Local Government & State Employees' Credit Union payroll deductions

  • Voluntary additional life insurance

• WPCOG provides for the following paid leave options:

  • 11 Paid Holidays Per Year

  • Annual Leave earned on a sliding scale based on years of service *New hires with applicable local or state government experience may if approved, earn annual leave based on their prior years’ experience.

  • 12 Sick Leave Days Per Year

  • Longevity Pay

 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

This position is open until filled. Submit by April 23, 2021 for first consideration.

​

Please submit a cover letter, resume, references, and WPCOG application to Director of Administrative Services and Human Resources, Ashley Bolick, at WPCOG, P.O. Box 9026, Hickory, NC 28603. Emailing application materials is acceptable, ashley.bolick@wpcog.org. Questions should be directed to Ashley at (828) 485-4221. Final candidates will be subject to an interview process. The WPCOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

​

WPCOG Application