Principal Planner - Comprehensive Planning

The Hanover County Planning Department is seeking a dynamic and experienced planning professional with a passion for community engagement to lead the County's long-range planning initiatives, including updates to the Comprehensive Plan and Small Area Plans. This exciting leadership opportunity offers a chance to guide future growth through thoughtful planning and meaningful public involvement. If you are ready to make a lasting impact and help shape what comes next for Hanover County, we encourage you to apply.

This is a professional mid-management position and is part of the Planning Department's Management Staff team. The Principal Planner/Project Manager, depending upon their specific role within the Planning Department will either be responsible for (1) managing department functions related to comprehensive/long-range planning or (2) managing site plan and subdivision review. A key responsibility of this position is to monitor the various processes to which the position is assigned and intervene when appropriate to resolve conflicts which could delay a project.

The position may serve as a member of a management team with representatives from other departments and/or citizen groups to accomplish project objectives.

The Principal Planner - Comprehensive Planning position reports to the Deputy Director and supervises staff as assigned.

This position will be primarily responsible for managing long-range planning efforts, including comprehensive plan amendments and updates, ordinance amendments, and the development of small area plans. They would also assist in the review of some zoning cases, including special exceptions. Due to the nature of these duties, experience in public engagement, graphic design, and/or GIS are preferred.

• Manages comprehensive/long-range planning efforts, including comprehensive plan updates, small area plans, and ordinance amendments.
• Provides technical expertise and reviews zoning applications (including Conditional Use Permits and Special Exceptions) as needed.
• Supervises staff as directed by the Deputy Director.
• Tracks and reports progress of projects.
• Acts as Liaison to other review departments, agencies and citizens wishing to know the current disposition of a project.
• With Project Managers from other departments, resolves issues that may delay processes or acts as conduit to get necessary information/interpretations from appropriate authorities.

• Hazards
• None Known
• Environment
• Office – 80%
• Field – 20%
• Physical Effort
• Minimal
• FLSA Status
• Exempt

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of comprehensive planning, zoning, and community development activities, including an understanding of engineering and construction as they pertain to the site development processes.

• Thorough knowledge of the relationship between comprehensive/long-range planning and public policy.
• Ability to plan, organize, supervise, and carry out complex research projects and present results effectively in oral, written, and graphic form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, residents, businesses, developers, and other stakeholders actively involved in land use planning, including the ability to plan and execute public engagement activities.
• Ability to supervise professional and technical personnel assisting with comprehensive/long-range planning efforts, including consultants providing technical assistance as part of a contracted project.

Bachelor's degree, required. Master's Degree in Urban Planning, landscape architecture, or public administration preferred. Professional licensure in related field may be substituted for Master's Degree. Five years of experience in professional planning, development, or any equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training sufficient to demonstrate the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Supervisory experience preferred.

• Criminal Records Check, including fingerprinting
• Valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License
• Twelve-month probationary period

Revision Date:
October 2023

Please provide a resume and cover letter with your application.