Principal Planer - Comprehensive Planning

Hanover County Government; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanover County Government is seeking a dynamic Principal Planner for Comprehensive Planning to lead long-range efforts, including updates to the Comprehensive Plan and Small Area Plans. The role emphasizes public engagement and collaboration with other departments to advance project objectives.

The position involves supervising staff, monitoring project progress, and serving as a liaison to residents and stakeholders. Strong experience in public engagement and zoning is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's preferred.
• Experience in professional planning and supervisory experience preferred.
• Ability to oversee long-range planning and public engagement.
• Knowledge of site development processes and engineering relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manages long-range planning efforts, including comprehensive plan updates, small area plans, and ordinance amendments.
• 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 current project disposition.
• Resolves issues with Project Managers from other departments to prevent delays.

Skills

Comprehensive planning

Zoning

Public engagement

Staff supervision

GIS (preferred)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in Urban Planning or related field preferred

Job description

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.

General Description

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.

Organization

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

Principal Planner - Comprehensive Planning

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 zoning applications and Historic Commission. Due to the nature of these duties, experience in public engagement, graphic design, and/or GIS are preferred.

Essential Functions:

• 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.

Working Conditions:

• Hazards
  1. None Known
• Environment
  1. Office - 80%
  2. Field - 20%
• Physical Effort
  1. Minimal
• FLSA Status
  1. Exempt

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 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.

Education, Experience and Training:

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.

Special Conditions:

• Criminal Records Check, including fingerprinting

• Valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License
• Twelve-month probationary period