Planner

City-of-Colonial-Heights,-V; Colonial Heights (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Colonial Heights, VA is seeking a Planner to coordinate and implement planning programs, assist with outreach, and review zoning permits. The role supports the Planning & Community Development Department and interfaces with citizens, developers, and officials.

Responsibilities include data collection, report preparation, grant applications, and participation in Boards/Commissions meetings. Evening/weekend meetings may be required.

Qualifications

• 2 years of college or associate degree with 5–9 years related experience or a Bachelor’s degree with 2–5 years related experience or a Master’s degree with less than 2 years related experience.
• AICP designation and CZO designation are desirable.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training may qualify.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and assists with implementation of City programs and plans for Planning & Community Development.
• Assists Director/Assistant Director in outreach, studies, and reports for department plans and regulations.
• Reviews zoning permits and development proposals for conformity with codes and plans.
• Researches data and prepares reports and maps on department topics.
• Manages Home Repair program using CDBG funds with contract oversight.
• Prepares correspondence for zoning matters and assists with ordinance amendments.
• Acts as liaison with groups, agencies, developers, and officials.
• Attends meetings and assists in minutes preparation for Boards/Commissions.
• Maintains department databases and submits grants as assigned.

Skills

Planning programs

Community outreach

Regulatory compliance

Zoning reviews

Grant writing

Data collection

Public liaison

Report preparation

Education

Two years of college or Associate’s Degree with 5–10 years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree with 2–5 years related experience

Master’s Degree with <2 years related experience

Job description

All applications received during the recruitment period will be forwarded to the hiring department for review and consideration
after the Monday, September 28, 2026 closing date.

Planner

Coordinates and assists with the implementation of various City programs and plans for the Planning & Community Development Department.

• Assists the Director and Assistant Director in developing community outreach initiatives, planning studies, and reports in support of department plans, programs, and regulations.
• Reviews the submission of zoning permits.
• Reviews or assists with the review of moderately difficult development proposals and site plans for conformance with codes, plans, and regulations.
• Researches and collects a variety of statistical data and prepares reports and maps on topics relevant to the department’s objectives.
• Coordinates and implements the City’s Home Repair program using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds awarded to the City, including contract management with City vendors, with oversight by the Director or Assistant Director.
• Prepares correspondence for zoning matters, as needed.
• Assists with research and writing of ordinance amendments.
• Acts as a liaison between community groups, government agencies, developers, and elected officials in developing plans, as assigned.
• Attends evening and weekend meetings, as assigned, and assists in the preparation of draft minutes for Boards and Commission meetings staffed by the Planning & Community Development Department.
• Manages and updates department databases.
• Develops and submits grant applications, as assigned.
• Addresses public and professional inquiries.
• Other duties as required.

• Two years of college or Associate’s Degree and five to less than ten years related experience or,
• A Bachelor’s Degree and two or five years of directly related experience or,
• A Master’s Degree and less than two years of directly related experience.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) designation by the American Planning Association is desirable.
• Certified Zoning Official (CZO) designation by the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials is desirable.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• CDBG experience desirable.

The work is generally performed in an office environment. Typically, the employee may sit to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, stooping, carrying of light items such as papers, books, or small parts, or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts, which require normal safety precautions. Use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals are minimally required.