Senior Planner

Senior Planner I/II

Performs work of moderate to high complexity primarily in the functional area of development review, (may work in other functional areas such as long-range planning, transportation planning, zoning, natural and cultural resource program management, and/or historic preservation). Position requires frequent contact with the public, developers, officials, and other internal customers including divisions within Community Development, and other governmental & quasi-governmental agencies.

Manages or assists projects of significant scale and visibility in collaboration with other County departments, including policy and code updates.

• Coordinates, reviews, or manages applications and projects of moderate to high complexity;
  Lead reviewer and contact for site development plans, subdivision plats, special use permits, zoning map amendments, special exceptions, wireless communication towers, and other application types
• Coordinates application review across the department and with several partner agencies
• Prepares and delivers technical reports and presentations to the public and elected officials
• Leads or assists with County policy updates, including the Zoning Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, and Master Plans
• Provides support to staff leadership with appointed committees, boards, and authorities
• Interprets applicable zoning and subdivision regulations in order to provide accurate feedback to applicants
• Researches and analyzes the physical, social and economic impacts of proposed development projects and develops appropriate recommendations
• Represents the County in various public meetings, ranging from neighborhood meetings to Board and Commission meetings
• Coordinates meetings with developers, the public, and Staff to begin the development review process.
• Provides technical assistance, guidance, and information to the public, land developers, design professionals, associates, boards/commissions and other governmental agencies regarding the development review process, County regulations, long-range planning, application procedures and processing, and related issues
• Analyzes demographic information; summarizes and presents information and trends; updates databases;
  Creates graphic representations of data, plans, diagrams, maps, design concepts, and processes; and creates graphic layout and text for templates, reports, presentations, and other related work products
• Assists with or designs, coordinates, and presents information and activities for community engagement events, both in-person and virtual
• Assists in development of policies for functional areas (including but not limited to Master Plan updates, Housing, Transportation Planning, Historic Preservation, and Natural Resources)

• Researches and analyzes information from the following sources to develop appropriate recommendations and guidance on applications and other project initiatives:
• Input from community members,
• Input from internal and external reviewing authorities,
• Demographics, physical, social, and economic impacts,
• Urban and rural land-use patterns,
• Geographic data using GIS software such as Arc Pro,
• Comprehensive plan recommendations,
• Impacts on cultural, historic, and natural resources,
• Urban design; and
• Infrastructure impacts and considerations.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of urban and rural planning
• Comprehensive knowledge of pertinent local, Federal and State laws and related regulations
• Proficient with independent research, analysis and formulation of recommendations
• Strong leadership, problem-solving and decision-making skills required
• Coordinate the review of complex projects and ability to clearly and thoroughly present the results effectively in oral, written and graphic form, even under adversarial conditions
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, subordinates, County officials, representatives of other agencies and members of the general public
• Independently manage complex projects and/or provide support to project managers
• Review subdivision plats and site plans for compliance with subdivision and zoning ordinance/regulations.

• Master's degree with a major in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, natural resources management or a related field
• Four (4) years of relevant professional planning work and project management experience (Two (2) years of experience for Senior Planner I)
• OR any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Computer experience necessary:
• Proficiency with Microsoft office suite
• ESRI products and/or navigating GIS web
• Some experience and ability to use spreadsheets and databases.

• Possession of a valid appropriate driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia preferred.
• AICP preferred.

• Typically involves…