Land Use Planning Section Manager

Overview

Note:

This job will be posted through 11:59 PM of the day prior to the end date listed.

Current Washington County Employees:
Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Job Type: Regular

Pay Range: $ - $ Salary

Department:
Land Use and Transportation

FLSA Exemption Status:
Exempt

About

The Opportunity:

This posting is open until filled with a first review date of 6/25/2026. The manager will provide strategic leadership and oversee development, maintenance and implementation of the County’s land use plans, policies and regulations. Washington County is unique in that there is a significant urban unincorporated area in addition to extensive farm, forest, and rural residential areas. This role is responsible for leading a team of professional planners and paraprofessionals, overseeing all aspects of land use planning from long-range to development review in alignment with the Department’s Mission to Serve.

Plan. Build. Maintain — for a thriving Washington County.

Lead and supervise a team of planners and paraprofessionals in land use planning across long-range and development review activities. Ensure alignment with the Department’s mission and county-wide policies. Collaborate with Building Safety, Development Operations and Transportation Planning sections to support the Planning and Development Services Division. Provide strategic leadership for the development, maintenance and implementation of land use plans, policies and regulations.

Communicate effectively with stakeholders and maintain a focus on continuous improvement and change management.

In addition to the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below, the ideal candidate will possess strong people and project management skills, be skilled in change management and have a continuous improvement mindset. This role requires a collaborative partner who can work closely with colleagues in the Building Safety, Development Operations and Transportation Planning sections to support the work of the Planning and Development Services Division.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of land use planning, comprehensive planning, and community development;
• Knowledge of principles and practices of development review;
• Knowledge of legal aspects of land use planning;
• Ability to develop and implement planning work programs;
• Ability to develop implementation measures and apply codes;
• Knowledge of principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation;
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals and groups who come from diverse backgrounds and represent members of the public, coworkers, and/or vendors;
• Ability to make oral presentations of technical information to the public and elected officials.
• Ability to work effectively with community groups and advocate for community involvement.

To review the complete classification, including the full list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with this position, use Principal Planner as the reference.

The work of the Department of Land Use & Transportation (LUT) is organized into five divisions:
Administrative Services;
Capital Project Services;
Engineering, Traffic and Survey;
Operations and Maintenance; and Planning and Development Services. LUT is updating its strategic plan with a focus on the values of service, accountability, collaboration, and belonging. Strategies are aligned with outcomes that will achieve strengthened connections, more support for its people, improved clarity and consistency in our work, and improved service to our community. Building Safety, Development Operations, Transportation Planning, and Land Use Planning comprise the four sections of the Planning and Development Services Division (PDS).

The managers of all four sections are part of the PDS leadership team led by the Division Manager and work cooperatively to plan and guide the development of Washington County’s urban areas, while protecting sensitive and rural lands. The Division’s activities range from community visioning and drafting policy…